Skincare is one of my favorite topics. Like… I could talk about it for hours. But funny enough, I was not always this person. I used to fully break all skincare rules and honestly break my esthetician friends’ hearts along the way. I’m talking washing my severe eczema skin with straight up soap that aggravated it more, skipping moisturizer on my hands and legs, and just calling it a day. The only thing I consistently did right was SPF, which, thank goodness, because at least I wasn’t completely reckless.
As I’ve learned more about skin health over the years, I’ve realized how much I genuinely love it. If I wasn’t designing clothes, I truly think I would’ve gone into skincare. It’s such a mix of science, intuition, ritual, and self-care, and I’m obsessed.
Now I treat my routine like a flexible wardrobe. I don’t believe in one size fits all skincare every single day. My routine depends on what’s going on that week. Factors depend on how much makeup I’ve worn, and what climate my skin has been living in (think city pollution, humidity, or winter dryness that feels personally offensive), and so much more.
Cleansing is where it all starts. My current go to's are Dermalogica's Glycolic Cleaner and SkinCeuticals's LHA Cleansing Gel. If I’ve been wearing a lot of makeup or spent time in sticky, hot weather, I always double cleanse using Youth To The People's Super Food Cleanser. It just gets everything off without making my skin feel tight or angry.
About twice a week, I gently scrub my face with SkinCeuticals's Micro-Exfoliating Scrub to help with cell turnover (your skin loves a little encouragement). I’ll also occasionally exfoliate with Biossance's Squalane + Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub, nothing aggressive, just enough to keep things fresh and glowing.
Once my skin is clean, toner is non-negotiable. I always reach for the Biossance's Pore Minimizing Toner, applied with a cotton ball. The key here is being gentle, no harsh rubbing. I use soft, upward strokes that follow the natural outlines of my face. I like to think of this step as a mini lymphatic drainage moment and a tiny at home spa ritual. Slow down, breathe, and enjoy it.
Next up: serums...aka my favorite part. This is where I rotate depending on the day and what my skin needs. If I exfoliated, I always layer extra hydration. I’ll start with a Vitamin C serum from SkinCeuticals, then top it with the hydrating Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum from Biossance to really lock everything in. Think glow + protection + hydration = happy skin.
For my eyes, I never skip extra moisture. The Summer Fridays Jet Lag Overnight Eye Serum has become a full on cult favorite for me. I’ve repurchased it so many times that it’s basically a permanent resident on my vanity.
To seal everything in, I finish with the Biossance's Overnight Rescue Moisturizer for that final layer of hydration (also Hancy Hubby approved). And on days when my skin needs a little extra love, I’ll mist either the Summer Fridays Hydration Mist or Chanel's Hydra Beauty Mist on top. Think of it like the cherry on top of the skincare sundae.
For the rest of my body, I swear by La Roche-Posay’s baume and lotion, and I’ll sometimes switch it up with Olive & June’s Hand Treatment lotion when my skin is feeling especially dry or sensitive.
At the end of the day, skincare isn’t about perfection or having the “right” products, it’s about listening to your skin, giving it what it needs, and turning everyday routines into moments of care. Your skin is with you for life… you might as well treat it like your best friend 💖.
