In this post, I want to share how I organize all of my skin care. It’s really efficient and helps me have the best, most effective skincare routine possible.
A lot of times you guys ask me if I use the same things everyday or if I only stick to one line – I don’t! I think it’s really common if you go into your bathroom, you’ve got random stuff you forget about or don’t know where it is – that’s how I used to be. Once I figured out this little system, my routine is SO efficient. *By the way, this is always evolving. As I learn, I keep sharing :).
How It’s Organized
My bathroom came super bare – literally no storage – so I had 2 medicine cabinets (from IKEA) installed because having my products under my sink was not efficient.
Each shelf is grouped together by type of product. By putting them all next to each other, it reminds me what I have for each step. I do my best to keep them arranged nicely. I can’t fit everything, so I do one up, one back, etc. – that way I can see EVERYTHING.
I go through whatever I’m feeling that day. Let’s get into it.
Shelf 1: Cleansers & Step 2. This includes my Bioderma Micellar Water and oil cleansers as makeup removers (step 1) and toning mists, tightening products and things I want to remember to use right after my cleanser (step 2). In terms of my oil cleansers, I’ve got one by Sulwhasoo and one by Dermalogica. I have a cleanser by Knours, a really sensitive one by Burt’s Bees, one by Proven and one by Mirai.
I never just use a cleanser to take my makeup off. Once everything’s off from the makeup remover (test with white towel or cotton pad), then I’ll go to the cleanser. I’ll also use the micellar water if it’s midday, I’ve already done my skincare routine, just did a workout and want to get the sweat and bacteria off my face …then I’ll just throw on a moisturizer after.
For step 2, I have a Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence by Fresh (toner) and mists by Knours, Yon-Ka, and Beautycounter. Any kind of light mist, I like to do right after I cleanse, especially when my skin is still a little wet (the water can help absorb it more). I also have Kate Somerville’s Tight’N Cryogenic gel – this feels really cold and instantly firms your skin.
Shelf 2: Serums & Oils. Serums should always go onto your skin right before a moisturizer. They’re thinner and absorb into your skin more, so if you put them over a moisturizer, you won’t get as much absorbed. I then like to put an oil OVER my serum.
Here I have hyaluronic acids by Drunk Elephant and Dr. K. I also have the Juice Beauty Signal Peptides Firming Serum, Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum (this makes anything you use after more active, so I try to use it first), a Murad Recovery Serum (boost of vitamins & minerals) and Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Serum (helpful for hyperpigmentation). I have oils by Skin and Senses, Nyakio, Yon-Ka and Radiance Platinum (vitamin E oil is great for sun protection).
Shelf 3: Eyes, Lips & Actives. For eyes, I have the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream (lasts so long), Biossance Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel (most non-tox brand ever), Skin and Senses Difference Anti-Aging Eye Serum (more of an oil). For lips, I have the Sara Happ Lip Slip and Fresh Sugar Lip Serum Advanced Therapy.
Most of my actives are for hyperpigmentation, so they’re prescription-strength. I have some from Epione (from when I did my cool laser at Dr. Ourian), Dr. K, Dr. Few …I have a lot. For some actives that aren’t just about lightening, I’ve got glycolic treatments: Kate Somerville RetAsphere – Micro Peel and Retinol Drops by Rodial. I also have L’Oreal Paris Pure Vitamin C, which is great for brightening and building your own collagen.
Shelf 4: Moisturizers. Right before moisturizer, I use a Sulwhasoo balancing emulsion. For moisturizers, I use a Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance and a Skin Smoothing Cream (both really intense, but also gentle), a prebiotic gel moisturizer by Juice Beauty, the Burt’s Bees Sensitive Night Cream and other moisturizers by Beauty by Design, Knours and Dr. Dennis Gross (more active, so it’s exfoliating …alpha hydroxy acid and beta hydroxy acid are great for acne).
Shelf 5: Face Masks. I have the Dermalogica Rapid Reveal Peel, Skin Hydrating Mask and Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque. I also have the Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Full Strength and Dr. Jart’s Shake & Shot and Hydro Sleep Mask. By Sulwhasso, I have an overnight mask and the Radiance Energy Mask. If I’m breaking out, that’s when I’ll go to a charcoal rescue mask to draw out impurities. Obviously you won’t use all of these all the time, but once you get to know your skin, you’ll know how certain ones make you feel and what you’re craving.
Shelf 6: SPF. I’ve got physical sunscreen and chemical sunscreens, but I’m making the switch to ALL physical because they’re better all around – they work right away, are non-toxic and give stronger sun protection. I have a super cool bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Defense sunscreen that also protects against bluelight, a Kaplan MD one, and then some chemical sunscreens (I’m not perfect). …My perfume and deodorant are also here – I use Native deodorant, the only natural one that I’ve ever really liked.
That’s it! Those are my skincare cabinets. These are what I use every night, so you’re getting it super raw. These switch out often – I’ll try new products and move them into the rotation. Whatever you do, having your skincare products out and open (any kind of organization) will make you use them more. It’s almost like with food: out of sight, out of mind. With skin care, you need it IN sight, IN mind.
Here are links to EVERYTHING in my medicine cabinets, as of today:
