My go-to first cleanser, especially this summer, has been a revisit to the Juno & Co. Jade Clean 10 Cleansing Balm. It’s the same great formula I’ve always loved, now in newer, cooler, and refillable packaging! Each refill contains the same amount of product at the same price as the original cleansing balm, but uses a remarkable 78% less plastic. A true win-win for my skin and the environment. This balm has only 10 ingredients, yet effortlessly melts away even the most stubborn Japanese mascaras and eyeliners. It emulsifies beautifully and rinses off completely clean, leaving no detectable residue. The lightweight texture transforms into a milky emulsion upon contact with water, effectively lifting away impurities without stripping the skin's natural oils. My skin feels soft, supple, and perfectly prepared for the next steps in my routine.

On occasions when I do double cleanse, I follow up with a gentle cream cleanser – nothing too harsh or stripping. Lately, I've been loving the Saatchi Skin Saponin's Cream Cleanser. I’ve featured this cleanser before, and I’m still obsessed. The gorgeous, light pink hue and the light cream-to-gel texture are incredibly satisfying to massage into the skin. The gentle lather effectively removes any remaining traces of makeup or impurities without disrupting the skin's delicate balance. Just like the cleansing balm, it rinses away completely clean, leaving no residue behind. My skin feels refreshed, clean, and perfectly balanced.

My beloved Saro de Rúe x Gothamista Essence is a staple. This essence is a true hydration powerhouse. Its lightweight, watery texture absorbs quickly into the skin, delivering a surge of moisture that instantly plumps and revitalizes. It’s fantastic for supporting the skin barrier and incredibly substantial, giving my skin that juicy, plump bounciness that I crave. This essence preps my skin beautifully for the subsequent steps in my routine, ensuring optimal absorption of the serums and treatments that follow.

The Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide and Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum has earned a permanent spot in my routine. While different from the CAIS-3, it’s not a replacement, but a valuable addition. This serum is packed with age-defensive peptides and, in my experience, has been remarkably effective on sensitive skin. The texture is perfect – that lovely viscosity provides slip and allows a little to go a long way. It’s incredibly hydrating and comforting. Beyond copper peptides and amino acids, this serum contains ectoin, protecting and facilitating skin repair. It also boasts 2% ghirlane, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. The best part? It’s compatible with other actives. You can use it with retinoids (they’re complementary) and even ascorbic acid, with a five-minute wait time between applications. I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my skin’s texture and firmness since incorporating this serum into my routine.

I have a personalized formula from Agency, which I love. They allow me to progress at my own pace, starting with a much lower concentration than the average prescription strength and gradually increasing it as my skin tolerates. Even after a few years, I’m still at a lower concentration (0.02% tretinoin) than the typical prescription, but it’s what works best for my skin. My formula also includes 5% tranexamic acid (for melasma), 4% niacinamide, and 1% dexpanthenol (for moisture retention). I apply my tretinoin after my liquid formulas dry down, which works well with its creamy texture. I apply it to dry skin, sometimes over a creamy moisturizer as a buffer. It spreads easily, creating a thin, even layer. I still avoid the delicate eye area, the folds of my nose, and my lip line. This personalized approach has allowed me to reap the benefits of tretinoin without the harsh side effects often associated with higher concentrations.

This gentle formula targets fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation, and even helps prevent milia. I adore the unique balm-like texture – lightweight, with great slip, and it glides on effortlessly without migrating. I avoid my mobile eyelids and lash line, focusing on my under-eye area, crow’s feet, and upper orbital bone. It’s incredibly moisturizing. My personalized eye formula contains 0.002% tretinoin (the starting point), 2% EGCG from green tea (a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory), 1% caffeine (for puffiness), and 1% hexapanthenol (for plump, hydrated skin). I started conservatively, phasing it in and buffering as needed, but quickly progressed to nightly use without irritation. I attribute this to my eye area being well-prepped from previous retinol use. My dermatology provider has approved increasing the strength next month, as long as I can continue using this formula nightly for two weeks without issue. I’m excited to embark on this new phase of my tretinoin journey!

This year, I’ve been loving the D’Alba White Truffle Double Serum and Cream. It simply makes my skin look good. This innovative product combines two moisturizers in one: a hydrating gel and a rich cream. Moisturizing is situational – it’s about finding the right texture for your skin’s needs. This product addresses that perfectly, allowing customized hydration by blending the two textures. The gel and cream combine beautifully and apply like a dream. In the summer, I use more gel and less cream (though a little cream goes a long way). For drier skin, I reverse the ratio. This product is uniquely versatile for combination skin. I’m thrilled to have this as we head into the transitional weather months. Even though the cream is dense, it dries down to a velvety, natural finish that works well under makeup. The gel is luscious and hydrating, providing a healthy glow without stickiness. I always mix a little gel with the cream for extra radiance.

My lips aren’t particularly dry right now, so I don’t need a heavy lip mask, but I’ve been loving The Ordinary’s Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm. The sleek packaging initially drew me in, but it’s a fantastic lip balm. It’s not a thick, occlusive sleeping mask; it’s more like a lip serum. It feels instantly hydrating and almost plumps the skin, a different sensation than I get from buttery or waxy balms. This feels truly nourishing. When my lips are drier and prone to peeling, I might layer a lip mask over this for extra protection.

So there you have it – my complete evening skincare routine, featuring my gold standard favorites for aging well. This is my essential lineup, no extras. In a future post, I’ll share one of my favorite all-out pamper routines, mimicking professional facial treatments at home. Thanks for reading! I hope you found this helpful, and until next time, I’m wishing you great skin health!