After years of finessing her routine, these are the products beauty editor Lucy Partington uses morning and night.
The nature of my job means I get a lot of questions about skincare routine, whether it’s via Instagram DMs, on email or face-to-face.
It’s not just from people I know – my family and friends – but it’s also people who read my work, strangers on the internet and even ex-Tinder dates, who have quiz me for product recommendations, or more specifically, what my routine entails.
While I’ve written about the time I went to see a dermatologist, rounded up my favourite featherweight SPFs and waxed lyrical about the best Vitamin C serums, I’ve never actually written – in detail – what products I personally use on the reg, in what order and how much.
So, as of today (Wednesday, 9 September 2020), here is every single thing that is in my current AM and PM skincare routines.
However, I need to stress that just because it works for me doesn’t mean it’ll work for everybody. I’ve also tweaked various elements over the years, added in different ingredients and taken things away, swapped and changed bits that didn’t work or that I didn’t notice a difference with.
But right now, this is where I’m at. Here goes nothing.
A beauty editor’s morning skincare routine
Bioderma Hydrabio H20 Micellar Water
This is probably the laziest part of my routine and I probably shouldn’t admit it, but I don’t wash my face properly in the morning. Instead, I soak a cotton pad or two in micellar water and swipe it around my face – which also helps wake me up a bit. I’m not that fussy when it comes to the micellar water I use. Bioderma is great but I often keep a back-up bottle of Garnier’s so I don’t run out.
Skin Proud Refresher Hydrating Facial Mist
Mists are a relatively new part of my routine but I am fully obsessed. This is one of my new found favourites because it’s nice and light, it’s got a good spray action (it distributes nicely and doesn’t ‘spit’ which is one of my ultimate pet hates) and it doesn’t leave my face dripping wet.
Hada Labo Tokyo Super Hydrator Lotion
I’d heard a lot about this brand – and this product in particular, actually – through the skincare community on Instagram so when it launched in the UK a few weeks ago I was super excited. This is hailed as one of the best hyaluronic acids and I wholeheartedly agree. The bottle is huge, the lotion sits somewhere between water and a lightweight gel and I genuinely feel like it’s helped bring my skin back from the brink of dehydration. I use two pumps and press it into slightly damp skin every morning.
Medik8 Super C30
Vitamin C is one of three scientifically proven ingredients that I always harp on about. I won’t leave my house without applying it – not only does it help to brighten and even out skin, but it acts as an antioxidant and protects against environmental damage, free radicals and pollution. It’s one of the most important steps in any routine, especially if you live in a city. I apply one pipette-full and smooth it over my face, leaving it to absorb for around five minutes. I love that the formula isn’t sticky and doesn’t leave my face feeling like it’s got a film over it.
Finacea 15% Gel
Granted this isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing of products, but it’s arguably the most effective. It’s the only real active ingredient I use every day; I’ve written before about being prescribed azelaic acid following a dermatologist’s appointment and there’s a product called Skinoren that I usually use. However, due to a nationwide shortage of that I’ve recently switched to Finacea that I buy myself from The Independent Pharmacy and I really like it. I’m noticing the same results as I do with Skinoren – less blemishes, redness seems to be under control – and the creamy, gel formula is really nice to apply. I apply a 10p-sized dollop and smooth it all over my face and neck and leave it to absorb for a few minutes before applying SPF.
Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF50
I’m actually coming to the end of my bottle of this, but in the interest of honesty, I’m going to include it because it’s not quite finished. I’d heard a lot of rave reviews about this particular SPF and I can see why: it’s nice and creamy without being too heavy, it doesn’t leave a white cast, sits well under makeup and has added environmental protection to boot. It is expensive compared to some SPFs that I’ve used in the past, but Murad is a brand that I trust because it’s steeped in science and research so I fully believe it’s worth the price.
A beauty editor’s night time skincare routine
Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter, £30
God, I LOVE this cleanser. Before this I hadn’t used a proper balm cleanser for ages and I forgot how good they are. This is a really satisfying shade of orange, and the formula is so creamy, it massages into skin like a dream and removes every last scrap of makeup, including hardy waterproof mascara. It’s super gentle, plus it’s packed with AHAs to help me on my quest to get the ultimate glowy skin.
Augustinus Bader The Cream Cleansing Gel
I don’t tend to be that precious about cleanser – I usually opt for something suitable for sensitive skin because they’re gentler. I really love CeraVe’s SA Cleanser, £12, and I’ve also been using Caudalie’s Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser, £16, which is great too. At the minute I’m using this, which is the first cleanser from Augustinus Bader. I was excited to try it for a couple of reasons: I love a gel formula as my second cleanse and because I fully trust Augustinus Bader – his line of products is expensive but they genuinely do work and this is no different. It has a gentle lather and leaves my skin feeling calm and nourished instead of tight or dry.
Skin Proud Refresher Hydrating Facial Mist
The next two steps of my evening routine are exactly the same as in the morning. First up, another couple of sprays of this mist.
Hada Labo Tokyo Super Hydrator Lotion
Then I press more of this hyaluronic acid into damp skin.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal
Finally I use Medik8’s Crystal Retinal AKA, possibly the best vitamin A cream money can buy. There is so much research and innovation that’s gone into this product in order to make it the closest thing to prescription-strength retinol you can buy. The results are incredible and my skin is the best it’s been in a long time which I’d credit this with; the best thing, though, is that even though it’s incredibly potent it doesn’t irritate skin. It’s a truly magical product.
Images: courtesy of brands
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