Skincare is incredibly addictive. It allows us to be mad scientists, testing out different potions to see if we like the results we see on our faces. Regimens can be complex, though, and are often a work-in-progress. At The FADER office, we spend a hefty amount of time swapping product tips and sharing skincare habits; we even have a “beauty” Slack channel dedicated to it.
This roundup is for anyone who’s craving change in their regimen, and is organized by skin type with budgets for everyone. Whether you’re normal, dry, combination, or acne-prone, there’s something in here for you.
Ali
Ali Suliman
Skin type: Dry, sensitive
AM routine
Cleanse: Vichy 3-in-1 Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
Treat: Face Shop Smart Peeling Mild Papaya
Moisturize: Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20
PM routine
Cleanse: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Treat: COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid
Moisturize: Innisfree Green Tea Moisturizing Cream
As needed
Tea Tree Oil
Jojoba Oil
Face Shop masks
Other helpful habits
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 You know I always keep that mf'in thang on me.
Ruth
Ruth Saxelby
Skin type: Sensitive, slightly dry
AM routine
Cleanse: St Ives Apricot Blemish Control Scrub I use this once a week in the shower to descale all my dry bits.
Moisturize: The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane This was a recommendation in our beauty Slack channel and I love it. As soon as I step out the shower, I slap this on my face.
Moisturize: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA Once the squalane's soaked in, I top it up with this, focusing on my cheeks and chin, which tend to be drier than the rest of my face.
PM routine
Cleanse: Benedetta Crème Cleanser Rosemary & Geranium This was a Christmas gift but I am already addicted. Deep-down cleaning. And it smells nice.
Moisturize: The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil I remember to put this on two nights out of seven.
As needed
Origins Ginzing Energy Boosting Lotion Mist This is supposed to wake up my skin, but I use it more to wake up my brain.
Rawiya
Rawiya Kameir
Skin type: Dry
AM routine
Cleanse: Cosrx Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Tone: Thayers Witch Hazel Aloe Vera
Hydrate: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber, Green Tea
Serum: alternate between Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Treatment / Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum / Mario Badescu Rose Hips Nourishing Oil
Moisturize: Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator
PM routine
Cleanse: Aesop Parsely Seed Facial Cleanser
Tone: Aesop B & Tea Balancing Toner
Serum: alternate between Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Treatment / Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum / Mario Badescu Rose Hips Nourishing Oil
Moisturize: Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Cream
As needed
To hydrate at work: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater / Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Helpful habits
Exfoliate: 3-4 times a week alternate between Dr. G Brightening Peeling Gel / Mario Badescu Botanical Exfoliating Scrub / Ole Henrikson Walnut Complexion Scrub
Cleansing mask: 1-2 times per week alternate between Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Deep Pore Cleansing (mixed with Witch Hazel) / Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment
Suuuper mask: once a month Hanacure
Sheet mask: 1-2 times per week alternate between Benton Snail Bee High Content Mask (if my skin feels dry) / Mediheal Teatree Care Solution Essential Mask (if my skin feels crazy)
For rogue pimples: Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch
For blackheads: Boscia Pore Purifying Black Charcoal Strips
Madison
Madison LaClair
Skin type: Dry
AM routine
Cleanse: Cosrx Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Serum: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Moisturizer: Embryolisse Lait-crème Concentré
Protect: Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+
PM routine
Cleanse: Bioderma Sensibio H2O
Tone/Hydrate: Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herb and Rosewater
Serum: The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
Moisturize: The Ordinary 100% Squalane
As needed
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution for my eyes to decrease puffiness
Lush Full of Grace Moisturizing Serum on days when it's extra cold out to keep my skin from getting dry. I've also discovered how great this can be under foundation if you're going for a glowing dewy skin look.
Helpful habits
Facials once a month from ButterCup Skin Care. It's one of the cheapest facials you can get in N.Y.C. and it really works! My esthetician knew immediately that my skin was dehydrated and made sure to cater my facial to my skins needs. Plus, she was so gentle with extractions, which was a concern of mine.
Sunday night routine
1. Steam face by boiling water on the stove and as the water turns to steam, take a towel behind your head and put your face over the steam for 10 minutes to open pores
2. Apply Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay mixed with apple cider vinegar
3. Then use Lush Just to Clarify Jelly Face Mask
Myles
Myles Tanzer
Skin type: Normal
As needed
Glossier Mega Greens Galaxy Pack When my face is freaking out I always reach for this. It really works as a reset button for my skin and I love it.
Kim Kardashian drinks 48-64 ounces of water a day, so that's what I try to do too.
Juliana
Juliana Pache
Skin type: Combination oily/dry, acne-prone
AM routine
Cleanse: Boscia Clear Complexion Cleanser
Serum/Treatment: Mandelic Acid Serum
Moisturize: Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid
Protect: Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 50+ (This leaves a white cast over my face, looking for a new alternative)
PM routine
Makeup removal: Bioderma Sensibio H2O
Cleanse: Boscia Clear Complexion Cleanser
Treat: Neutrogena Light Therapy Mask
Treat/Exfoliate: Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads
Treat: Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution
Moisturize: Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrate: The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
Treat: Mederma Advanced Scar Gel
As needed
Glamglow SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
Helpful habits
Using only non-comedogenic products has changed my very acne-prone skin for the better. I reference pore-clogging ingredients from this list whenever buying anything.
For everyday makeup, I use Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 and NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer which are both non-comedogenic.
I cleanse with FOREO Luna 2 for Combination Skin. This facial device is pricey but so worth it for acne-prone skin. It cleans everything out of my pores. FOREO also makes smaller, more affordable versions.
At night, I wrap my hair in bonnet to avoid getting hair products on my face.
I also flip and change pillow cases often.
Light chemical peels once a month help fade dark spots and treat acne — there are really affordable ones on Groupon!
The best vitamins for acne: Zinc Monomethionine, probiotics, experimenting with Micellized Vitamin A
Grace
Grace Gordon
Skin type: Combination oily/dry
AM routine
Cleanse: Simple Micellar Cleansing Water
Treat: Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Treat: Algenist GENIUS Ultimate Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Treat: Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum
Moisturizer: Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Face Lifting Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20
Winter moisturizer: AmorePacific MOISTURE BOUND Rejuvenating Crème I rotate the Caudalie moisturizer with this because it packs extra hydration. I also use this at night before doing my makeup if I’m going out because it’s a great base for your foundation.
Prime: Makeup For Ever's Step 1 Equalizer Primer
Body: Rotate between Palmers Cocoa Butter + Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Whipped Body Butter in the summer, and Johnson's Baby Gel Oil straight out of the shower in the winter.
PM routine
Makeup removal: Pampers Sensitive Wipe or Boscia's MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil on heavy makeup days or nights
Cleanse: Simple Micellar Cleansing Water
Exfoliate: Every few days alternate between Cure Aqua Exfoliating Gel (more gentle) and Neogen Dermalogy Bio-Peel Exfoliating Pads (more intense)
Cleanse: After exfoliating, cleanse again with Simple Micellar Water
Treat/Moisturize: Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil
As needed
Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Pure Luxury Lift & Firm Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
Honey Girl Organics Night Creme
On flights, alternate between Innisfree masks and Dermal Korea Collagen Essence masks.
Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45 This is amazing for protecting your skin and staying matte-perfect (or at least not sweaty and gross) poolside or at the beach.
Helpful habits
Biotin to keep my nails strong and for hair health/growth.
Experimenting with Micellized Vitamin A for skin.
Maca sporadically for hormonal breakouts.
Silk pillowcases.
A humidifier in both my apartment and on my desk at work in winter.
Nazuk
Nazuk Kochhar
Skin type: Combination oily/dry
AM routine
Cleanse: Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub
Moisturize: Clinique Moisture Surge Moisturizer
Moisturize lips: Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment Skin Protectant
PM routine
Cleanse: Clinique Liquid Facial Soap
Moisturize: Trader Joe’s Vitamin E Oil
Moisturize lips: Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment Skin Protectant
Leah
Leah Mandel
Skin type: Combination, sensitive, acne-prone
AM routine
Cleanse: Clinique Pep-Start Exfoliating Cleanser
Tone: Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Moisturize: Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream Light
PM routine
Makeup removal: Bioderma Sensibio H2O with Muji cotton pads
Cleanse: Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser
Treat: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 30ml
Hydrate: Chanel Hydra Beauty Crème Riche Expensive but fully worth it — one tub usually lasts me almost a year because you only need a little.
Treat: Phoenix Botanicals Wild Rose Face Serum
Moisturize: Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
Body: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing Body Oil When it’s winter, I slather this all over my body before I go to bed so I fall asleep smelling like chocolate and wake up with a smooth bod.
As needed
Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Mask
Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask Simply a great and thick blackhead-erasing, antioxidant clay mask.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment for literally any dry spot, scratch, scab, chapped lips — anything.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-purpose Dry Oil
Lakin
Lakin Starling
Skin type: Combination oily/normal
AM routine
Cleanse: Madina African Black Soap Shea Butter and Aloe Vera
Tone: Neutrogena Alcohol And Oil-Free Toner
Moisturize: Coconut oil
Olivia
Olivia Craighead
Skin Type: Combination, acne-prone
AM routine
Cleanse: Caudalie Micellar Water followed by Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser
Serum: Glossier Niacinamide/Zinc PCA serum (a.k.a. Super Pure)
Moisturize: Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme
Protect: Clinique Mineral Sunscreen Fluid For Face SPF 50
PM routine
Cleanse: Caudalie Micellar Water followed by Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser
Exfoliate: Ole Henriksen Pore-Balance Facial Sauna Scrub
Tone: Thayers Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Formula
Serum: Glossier Niacinamide/Zinc PCA serum (a.k.a. Super Pure)
Moisturize: Etude House Moistfull Collagen Sleeping Pack
As needed:
These Corsx Acne Pimple Master Patches will change your life. I just got them and I'm already addicted, you gently pop a pimple and then put one of these on and it sucks all the bad stuff out overnight.
When I'm feeling extravagant I will buy a Water Replenishment mask or a Pore Minimalist Black Charcoal mask. For a cheaper alternative, my roommate bought this super cheap 16 pack of Dermal Korea Collagen Essence masks. They have fun names like "Vitamin" and "Silver," and I don't totally know what they do but I do feel more hydrated after using them.
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask about once a week with apple cider vinegar.
Good ol' Carmex, the best lip treatment for winter dryness.
Patrick
Patrick D. McDermott
Skin type: Combination
AM routine
Cleanse: Hada Labo Tokyo Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
Moisturize: Kiehl's "Facial Feul" Energizing Moisturizer
Moisturize: Yu-Be lip balm
Hydrate/Prime: Caudalie "Beauty Elixir" face mist