Uncover the Must-Have Skincare Items You Won’t Want to Be Without

Our editors, from top left: Christine Pride, Alison Piepmeyer, Kaitlyn Teer, Joanna Goddard, Jannelle Sanchez, and Kelsey Miller

Are you into skincare? I’m completely obsessed with it — and I adore hearing about the little nuances of people’s routines. It’s such an intriguing glimpse into someone’s everyday life. Our editorial team presents a diverse range of skin types and issues. Today, we chose to disclose our daily skincare practices (and we’d love to know yours)…

How would you describe your skin type?

Alison: Prone to acne. From age 12 to 34, I endured painful breakouts, trying almost every treatment within reach. I felt very self-conscious during flare-ups, primarily because they were hard to conceal. Occasionally, I’d have clear periods (like when pregnant or post-Accutane), but only a few years back did I identify my acne catalysts and a regimen that suits me. (Largely, I avoid dairy; more on this later.)

Christine: As per magazine terminology, “normal-to-dry.” In my friends’ and my lingo: “Black don’t crack.” Melanin does as much work as any pricey serum for keeping my skin relatively wrinkle-free.

Jannelle: Combination. By the afternoon, my forehead and nose always have a bit of shine. It doesn’t much bother me, but for special events, I take setting powder in my purse.

Joanna: Extremely fair and ruddy. I wake up always blotchy. Furthermore, during perimenopause, my skin is in a state of flux currently, necessitating adjustments in my skincare routine as well.

Kaitlyn: Particularly dry, notably in the cooler months.

Kelsey: Reactive. It reddens, clogs, and scars with the slightest provocation. Honestly, my skin acts like a complete diva.

What’s your morning skincare routine?

Alison: I follow a personalized skincare regimen designed by my esthetician from Acne Clinic NYC six years ago! Mornings are straightforward: exfoliating serum and hydrating gel.

Christine: Practically nothing — it’s a miracle if I manage to wash my face. That’s the downside of remote work; motivation is minimal.

Jannelle: With three kids under five, personal time is scant. During hectic mornings, I simply rinse my face with cold water and apply CeraVe cream — my go-to moisturizer because it’s hydrating, fragrance-free, and affordable!

Joanna: This winter, my skin grew dry and blotchy, with little red bumps, almost rash-like upon waking. My dermatologist attributed this to my cleanser stripping my skin and suggested switching to the basic Vanicream. It promptly cleared my skin, and now my boys use it. After cleansing, I apply INNBeauty Extreme Cream, extremely creamy and hydrating. I’ve been using it for a few months, and it’s very suitable for my skin. It finally feels glowing again!

Kaitlyn: Typically, I cleanse during my morning shower. A couple of times weekly, I use a clay mask on my T-zone, letting it settle while I dress and make coffee. Rinsing it off leaves my skin feeling extraordinarily fresh and clean.

Kelsey: Each night, I rinse my face, drying it with a clean towel. If my skin’s agitated, I calm it with the Summer Friday’s Jet Lag mask/moisturizer. It’s a perfect remedy for redness. I finish with a thin layer of polyglutamic acid serum. It’s astonishing and smoothens skin texture instantly (see: scars). It’s far superior to any primer I’ve tried, and even on makeup-free days, I use it as it keeps me hydrated without stickiness or shine.

What do you use for sun protection? 

Alison: On my face, I use tinted mineral sunscreen. For my body, I prefer this sport one. Both are acne-safe! I’m meticulous about beauty product ingredients and review everything using a pore-clogging checker before purchasing.

Christine: I’m terrible with sunscreen. Absolutely terrible. To the point that I never use it, period. (The shame!)

Jannelle: I was previously a SuperGoop follower, but it felt oily on my skin. Switching to Beauty Pie two years ago, I appreciate its matte finish. Plus: hats!

Joanna: While I like numerous sunscreens, Vacation remains a staple due to its scent. Another favorite is EltaMD, which consistently agrees with my sensitive skin.

Kaitlyn: As someone who spends ample time outdoors, Trader Joe’s daily facial sunscreen is part of my daily routine. It’s clear, surprisingly lightweight, absorbs with ease, and has a pleasant, subtle aroma. With skin cancer prevalent in my family, and having had personal scares, I keep this sunscreen in the bathroom, my purse, and in my car.

Kelsey: Most sunscreens severely break me out. In winter, I rely on Ilia’s Skin Tint with SPF 40. But with summer approaching, I need something durable for sweaty commutes and beach outings. Any suggestions?

What’s your personal hero product?

Alison: I don’t truly believe in hero products! My best outcomes arise from maintaining a consistent, unexciting regimen. I’m not exciting to discuss beauty with; if someone suggests something new, I respond, ‘No, I already know what works for me.’ I trust my system.

Christine: I’ve praised these exfoliating pads endlessly: M-61 PowerGlow Peel. Years ago, upon trying them, my skin noticeably glowed. Immediate results? Sold! 

Jannelle: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. Breakouts occur during my cycles, but common acne products are off-limits due to allergies. This lotion always resolves stubborn pimples without adverse effects.

Joanna: I’m aware I repeat myself, but Vacation sunscreen serves as both scent and skincare, attracting numerous compliments. My whole family adores the fragrance, leading us to purchase the Vacation air freshener for our car, too.

Kaitlyn: Post my daughter’s birth, a friend gave me calendula salve titled good for diaper rash. Thankfully, my kids are out of diapers, but the salve remains excellent for kitchen burns, dry skin, etc. My entire family has a cold now, and it’s healing all our red, tissue-chafed noses.

Kelsey: Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser. An excellent exfoliant, the longer it sits, the more it works (in the shower, I let it stay on my face a bit while washing my body). It’s used a few times a week, because as with most “brightening” products (effectively brightening, truly), it may cause some pinkness if overdone.

What does your evening routine look like?

Alison: I often shower before bed, using a body wash. I then wash my face with oil-free cleanser, perform a quick second cleanse with micellar water, apply a hydrating gel, and finish with Vaseline on my lips. My pillowcases are washed every two or three days to avoid sleeping on dirty surfaces (since hair washing happens once or twice a week).

Christine: I avoid overthinking skincare, sticking to a three-step regime: wash (Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser), tone (Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion), and moisturize (Sunday Riley Vitamin C Cream). This mix (plus PowerGlow pads twice weekly) keeps my skin balanced — mixing high and low. Aveeno is a reliable drugstore pick, while Sunday Riley is a splurge — which is precisely the intent. A treat for my skin, I love its luxurious texture and scent.

Jannelle: Wearing makeup, I remove it with micellar water. (Chloe Hall’s beauty uniform led me to it, and now I can’t skip it.) Missing that step feels different, and not positively! I then use my tried-and-true Cetaphil cleanser, loyal since my teen years. It leaves my skin squeaky clean without drying. Followed by a generous CeraVe moisturizer layer, I drink water, and call it a night.

Joanna: I cleanse again with Vanicream (one bottle in the shower, one by the sink). Weekly, I indulge in a Korean exfoliator I cherish for the tangible feeling of dead skin peeling off — my skin ends up luxuriously smooth. Finally, I finish with INNBeauty moisturizer, and that’s that.

Kaitlyn: Nightly, I hold a warm, damp washcloth to my face for a brief moment. The warmth over closed eyes is soothing, particularly after a long day. If feeling diligent, I’ll apply night cream for maturing skin, as they say.

Kelsey: I cleanse in the shower, using my beloved Indie Lee, alternating with La Roche-Posay’s Foaming Cleansing Oil (I know foaming doesn’t equate to cleansing, but I need the foam). A glycolic acid toner is applied several times a week. SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic serum is my favored treatment (it does everything — fades sun damage, evens tone, enlivens), but due to its expense, it’s not always on hand. Moisturizers are where I spend. I love Caudalie’s Premier Cru Cream and Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream — super hydrating, yet neither clog nor irritate.

What’s the largest skincare lesson you’ve learned?

Alison: Food intake genuinely affects my skin. Years ago, four months were spent with an esthetician uncovering my acne triggers. Dairy leads to my breakouts, usually evident days after accidental consumption.

Christine: I dislike facials! After two, I understood they lack relaxation and discomfort me. I’ve embraced that I’m not a product enthusiast. I stick with what I enjoy, probably until my passing — as my mom has with Noxema for over 65 years.

Jannelle: Sleep imparts a vast difference. If deprived of good rest, my skin turns dry and flaky. Naturally, we cannot always control sleep (three nightly breastfeeding awakenings for me), but pre-event, I aim for ample sleep to appear optimal. I assure, extra rest instantly revitalizes my skin.

Joanna: As a teen, I sunbathed on my dad’s Michigan deck (it was the ’90s!), sometimes ending up sunburnt. My twin sister behaved oppositely: sunscreen application and long sleeves for the beach! Years on, her skin’s creamy. Now, every teenager hears from me about sunscreen.

Kaitlyn: Although sounding like a habit-stacking enthusiast, keeping my cleanser and face scrub within my shower aids schedule adherence, reminding me to use the scrub weekly.

Kelsey: Dehydrated and dry aren’t the same. All the moisturizer doesn’t help if exfoliation is ignored, leaving dead skin and makeup build-up. That’s a formula for upset skin. Plus, the conventional wisdom on water intake is accurate.

How does your present routine manifest? Any hero-products to recommend?

P.S. 8 readers share moments they felt beautiful, and a beauty item we always finish.

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