I Trial New Products For a Living: Here Are the Skincare Steps I Never Skip 

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Most dermatologists will tell you that consistency is vital when it comes to the steps in your skincare routine. Introducing rogue ingredients and mixing up steps in your skincare routine can spell bad news for your complexion. But if you’re a beauty editor, switching things up in your skincare routine is… kind of your job. After all, skinfluencers constantly discover new skincare hacks, and the number of skincare products I trial every year lands in the triple digits. Whether it’s slugging, skin cycling or PRP, you can guarantee it’s been a step in my skincare routine at some point.

So how do I keep my complexion from having a crisis?

Below, I’ve narrowed down my skincare routine to the steps that I never, ever skip. I might switch up the individual products, but these are the key steps of any good skincare routine — for me and you, dear readers. These are the steps you should never skip, no matter what trending technique or viral product you’re trialling.

Morning Skincare Routine Steps:

Because of the risk posed by sun exposure and pollution during the day, and the fact that I’m wearing makeup pretty much all the time as a beauty editor, the steps in my morning skincare routine are much more rigid than the steps in my evening skincare routine.

Step One: Gentle Cleanser

Morning cleansing is controversial, but I love it. Currently, I am absolutely adoring the new Allies of Skin, Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser ($60). This serum has a honeyed consistency that slips over the skin before lathering into a “fluffy” texture, rather than foaming. Hot water is notoriously bad for the complexion; thankfully, this cleanser’s clever phospholipid complex creates a moisture-locking shield that protects skin during my morning procrasti-shower.

Step Two: Vitamin C Serum

I have fair skin that burns quickly and am prone to freckles and pigmentation. I like to start my morning skincare routine with a vitamin C serum. Vitamin C is a wonder antioxidant you’ve probably heard of by now. It can be used day or night but is most beneficial during the day thanks to its free radical neutralising properties. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause oxidative stress, which damages human cells. We’re exposed to them throughout the day by air pollution, ultraviolet (UV) rays, and sun exposure — and they can cause a number of health issues, the most pertinent to this article being accelerated skin ageing. This is why vitamin C is my shield of choice during the day.

Like many beauty editors, I’m a loyal fan of SkinCeuticals, CE Ferulic Serum ($236). I’m less enamoured with the price. While I’ll always come back to CE Ferulic, I’ve recently discovered a far less expensive option that I’m loving sick, and not just because of it’s far more approachable price point.

It’s the Garnier, Vitamin C Brightening Face Serum ($18). This serum contains vitamin Cg, a gentle but potent synthetic vitamin C, with niacinamide and salicylic acid. Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory and melanin-inhibiting properties, making it a win for fighting pigmentation and sensitivity. Meanwhile, salicylic acid keeps my complexion smooth and blemish free. 

Step Three: Sunscreen

People love to say, “if you’re not using sunscreen, you may as well flush your other skincare down the toilet.” This is wasteful and poses a number of plumbing issues. You should regift them to your family and friends though, because going sans sunscreen renders the other steps in your skincare routine useless.

Sunscreen is your number one protective step against early ageing and serious skin diseases like melanoma. Find one you like, and apply it regularly. While I’ll often add moisturiser and am currently loving Rationale, #2 Light Crème ($192), on particularly humid days I keep it simple and slap on the Mecca Cosmetica, To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen ($42) and go. It’s lightweight, sits perfectly under my makeup, and is hydrating enough to sub in for my moisturiser.

Evening Skincare Routine Essential Steps:

Step One: Triple Cleanse

As mentioned, my evening skincare routine is far more flexible than my morning skincare routine. I tend to trial new products more frequently and mix up actives (with care) while I’m sleeping. I’m generally rotating vitamin A products with Verso, Super Elixir ($324) (sorry) being one of my favourites.

This is where things get controversial. 

I’m typically in and out of the office all day, attending events, meetings, and after-hour functions during the week. This means I’m typically wearing my makeup for anywhere between 8-16 hours a day. Needless to say, the minute I’m home, I’m desperate to get it all off. This is why I’m a notorious triple cleanser.  

I will always recommend a double cleanse, even if you’re wearing sunscreen. (Which is, as discussed, the bare minimum.) A first wash with an oil-based cleanser removes dirt and debris thoroughly, and your second cleanse gives pores a deeper scrub. Feel free not to do as I do with the third step, but if you’re curious, tune in. 

My absolute favourite cleansing balm for the job? The Alpha H, Melting Moments Cleansing Balm ($70) is a facial in a jar. I’m currently on my second tub of this product and loving the limited edition Australian-Davidson plum-enriched formula.

This is an essential step in my routine and my go-to for removing a full face of makeup. Most importantly, this cleansing balm emulsifies and then washes clean. Additionally, it’s packed with ingredients like grapeseed oil and bisabolol and has notes of ylang-ylang, blackcurrant, jasmine, and vanilla — a combo which leaves me feeling totally relaxed. I love using it for facial massage and sometimes leave it on for a few minutes as an evening mask. 

Depending on how my skin is feeling, I then reach for my favourite clarifying cleanser, Dr. Dennis Gross, Alpha Beta Cleansing Gel ($63), which contains a blend of alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids in a non-stripping formula. If not this, I use the CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser ($19), which leaves my complexion fresh and balanced, and is gentle enough to use around the eye area. 

Since they launched, I’ve been obsessed with the Garnier, Micellar Reusable Eco Pads ($10). As a devotee of toning, I’d been looking for a reusable alternative to cotton pads forever but found every option scratchy and scary. These toning pads from Garnier get every-last-skerrick of eyeliner and mascara off on heavy-duty-smokey eye days while being whisper soft. Obsessed. Typically I drench the pads with the ever-so-gentle Thayers Rose Petal Alcohol-Free Toner With Witch Hazel ($12). You could probably use straight water, but I’m a beauty editor.

I usually follow with my favourite Dr Naomi, LED It Glow, Light Therapy Face Mask ($595) because we love an LED mask here at POPSUGAR. Then, I get freaky with whatever nighttime product I’m sleeping with that week!

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