I recently realised that my last skincare routine post was three years ago. Things changed a lot since then! So, here’s the update for my complete skincare routine for sensitive combo skin. It’s ALSO full of holy grail products that sneaked their way into my heart years ago – I know all of these products really well at this point and have repurchased them countless times (well, mostly – there’re two exceptions).
What’s my skin like?
I’d still characterise my skin as sensitive combination skin. During the time when seasons change I’d say it gets easily dehydrated, and I need a lot of moisture in winter. (In deepest winter this list would be a bit different as well.) My skin is by no means good – I still break out more often than not, but if 2020 has shown me anything it’s that there’s no rhyme nor reason to it. Therefore, stressing about it is absolutely pointless. There may be weeks when I despair: spots, redness, uneven skintone, and everything I do is useless. And then, poof! I’d wake up one day, doing nothing differently, and my skin looks really good. So: lesson one – don’t stress.
What do I want from my skincare?
Back when I did my last routine post, I had a bit of an all-you-can-eat-buffet going on. If there was a promising ingredient, I’d use it. Nowadays I’m much more choosy and pared down. I’ve realised that acids usually don’t benefit my skin, so I stopped using them but for Azelaic Acid that’s a bit different than AHAs/BHAs.
Actives my skin loves are retinol and Vitamin C. Staples still are Niacinamide for a bit of brightening and anti-aging, hyaluronic acid because Hydration, Baby! and my love goes towards fermented stuff still (I’m always dreaming about SK-II) Also, let’s be real: if I had the money, I’d totally use Augustinus Bader’s The Cream. Sunscreen, of course, I absolutely use every day.
AM routine
Cleansing
balea cleansing oil (‘Reinigungsöl’): This has been a staple for years, the only aspect I hate about it is the heavy use of palm oil (I’m not per se against palm oil, but I doubt that balea is using sustainable palm oil), and its tendency to go off and smell rancid really fast. Otherwise it’s a great product! (Review)
Toner
cosrx Galactomyces Alcohol-free Toner, now sadly discontinued (cosrx confirmation pending), whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. I’ve a few new options lined up, but am VERY sad about this. (Review)
Serum
The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum + half a scoop of The Ordinary L-Ascorbic Acid Powder. HG potential: really good and effective, and OMG so cheap. Also a great Hyaluronic Acid that WON’T pill under sunscreen! (cosrx’s Galactomyces Essence does, so it’s now relegated to PM use.) (Review TIL/TO)
Moisturiser + Eye Cream
Beyer & Söhne Hautcreme+ (review) with two or three drops of Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster (review), Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream (review) OR balea Men lift effect 24h Augenpflege (review). I’m very excited to go back to balea’s eye cream, but the Clinique has to be used up, so. I’m still astonished how great balea’s peptides worked on my eye area while I always was doubtful that peptides do anything for me. I had to wait about three months to see effects on my eyes, though – maybe I should try again on my whole face?!?
Sunscreen
In rotation right now: Isdin Fusion Water Pedeatrics SPF50+ (reformulated and now awful, whyyyyyyyyyyyyy), Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF50 (review) and Niod Survival 30 (review coming soon).
PM routine
Cleansing
Clinique Take The Day Off cleansing balm for eye makeup/mascara (review), balea cleansing oil (see above) for whole face. L’Oreal Micellar Cleansing Water (‘Beruhigendes Mizellenwasser’) (review), then washed off. I feel better if I don’t leave micellar water residue on my skin.
Toner
Same as AM.
Serum
cosrx Galactomyces Essence (review). Every other night, alternating: Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment (review) and 10% Azelaic Acid Booster (review) – I mix both into the Essence. No particular reason why, but time saving.
Moisturiser + Eye Cream
Either Paula’s Choice Omega + Complex Moisturiser (review), or Stratia Liquid Gold (review) with Paula’s Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask on top (review). My eye cream for the night is Dermasence’s Eye Cream with centella asiatica, which has a nice creamy, not too rich/not too light texture and is exactly as nourishing as the skin around my eyes needs.
Mask/Treatments
Once a week: The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (review), maybe twice a week: various overnight masks (not at once but alternating in no specific manner).
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
