Lisa’s Spring Skincare Routine

April 30, 2021 (updated April 21, 2023)

Say hello to my current anti-aging skincare routine. I update this post quarterly so it continues to reflect what I am currently using and loving—be sure to check back! Here’s what’s giving my skin its glow this spring.

A woman in a red camisole top smiles.
My spring skin.

By: Lisa Fennessy

IN THIS POST:

This post is beneficial in a couple of ways. First, let’s be honest—I get to try A LOT of product. Some things I try once or twice and others take up residency in my skincare routine. Some products I enjoy, but I wouldn’t purchase again; others I rave about and would purchase a million times over.

To help paint a picture of what you are seeing here, let’s create a TNK skincare-usage taxonomy, or hierarchy, if you will.

RELATED: My guide to the best skincare routine for your skin type.


TNK hierarchy of skincare

1 | Rave-worthy, scream it from the rooftops, saw a difference in my skin, will repurchase again and again. (Think Maya Chia’s The Straight A, ILIA’s Fullest Volumizing Mascara or 100% Pure Eye Gels.)

2 | Loved it while it lasted and would repurchase. Gorgeous products that offer skincare benefits, work and have a beautiful sensory experience. This category is robust!

3 | Enjoyed it while it lasted but won’t repurchase. There is definitely a category of products that are “fine” but just don’t stand out in any special way for me. This category is also robust.

4 | Liked it, but probably wouldn’t recommend it. This category is reserved for items I enjoyed but I would not recommend because maybe the scent profile is too specific, the packaging is off in some way or it didn’t deliver consistent enough results.

5 | Didn’t like it, wouldn’t recommend it. This category is reserved for items I personally didn’t enjoy or that just didn’t work for me.

What you see in this post is what I would classify as a level 2 (unless otherwise noted). Loved it and would repurchase. It’s items that are currently taking up residency and most likely what I will use to the end. I hope that sharing my current skincare routine will help demystify what an effective skincare routine can look like and hopefully inspire yours.

RELATED: Your guide to a nontoxic personal care starter kit & the best skincare routine for acne.


What’s up with my skin right now

At TNK HQ, we are knee-deep in testing retinols for our ultimate retinol guide (which is super exciting), BUT it also means my face is the testing ground. We are using each retinol for 30 days and I am trying my best not to skip a day.

Between you and me, this has been easier with some products and harder with others. All the juicy deets to come soon.

But as we all know, retinol helps with cell turnover, which is great for reducing fine lines, but it can also leave my face feeling irritated and dry. This means I am reaching for all the hydrating and soothing products I can get my hands on. Here’s what that looks like…

RELATED: Have sensitive skin? Check out Nicolle’s sensitive skincare routine.


A woman standing in silk pjs looks into a mirror.
Prepping for the day.

Morning Routine 

  1. True Botanicals Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm | $48
  2. YINA The Essential Mist | $75
  3. Stoic Beauty Agathos Oil | $30
  4. Stoic Beauty Thalassa Serum | $35
  5. Le Prunier Plumscreen | $78 or Erin’s Faces PEPTIDE SPF 30 | $57.50 (I love them both!)

A woman pats her cheeks while looking into a mirror.
Hydrated skin = happy skin.

Evening Routine 

  1. True Botanicals Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm | $48
  2. YINA The Essential Mist | $75
  3. Laurel Hydration Compound Roots + Roses | $94
  4. Mara Algae Retinol Face Oil | $120

Treatments (as necessary) 

  1. Hero Mighty Patch (bc why am I breaking out?!)| $4.99
  2. One Love Organics Brand New Day Scrub & Masque | $49

RELATED: Best tips from an esthetician to reduce wrinkles.


Coupon codes

Check out our Coupon Codes page to save on these products and more!


Have you tried any of my current routine? What do you think?

xo, lisa in cursive

TNK Team Note: This article contains affiliate links. TNK uses affiliate links as a source for revenue to fund operations of the business and to be less dependent on branded content. TNK stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to email us.

By Lisa Fennessy

Lisa is the founder of The New Knew. Passionate about clean beauty, organic eats and nontoxic lifestyle, Lisa writes to create awareness. Conscious consumerism and informed decisions will impact the marketplace, our health and THE WORLD!

46 Comments

  1. Reply

    Natalie

    I’m one of those that keeps up with your routine and always end up trying something new. I’m finding what works for me as well and repurchasing what I like. (& splurging when I can)

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Hi Natalie! Awesome, what have you found that you’ve loved so far??? xo, Lisa

  2. Reply

    Lies

    Lisa, you and your skin look amazing! Just found your blog today. You radiate :)! I was wondering: do you have tips for forehead wrinkles? You don’t seem to have them :).

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Hi Lies! I think using oils and face massage have helped me the most over the years. But also everyones genetics and skin are different so what helps one person might not help another. We talked to Hayley (TNK’s resident holistic esthetician) about this and here are her tips! Hope this helps! xo, Lisa

  3. Reply

    pilar

    Just found your blog, and love it. I love your routines listed here. Do you use a moisturizer with your oils or serums in the morning?

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Hi Pilar! I typically don’t use a traditional moisturizer. I prefer serums layered under oils 😍 – Hope this helps! xo, Lisa

  4. Reply

    pilar

    do you have “level 1” products for morning and evening that you cold not do without? I just bought the Straight A!

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Hi Pilar! Have you incorporated Manuka honey into your routine yet?! It’s a GAME CHANGER! (Cleansing, masking, honey tapping..) xo, Lisa

  5. Reply

    Norma

    Wanted to compare to what I’m doing.

  6. Reply

    Tricia

    I love honey skincare products and I just purchased the oil cleanser and mask, thanks for posting!! I love they have travel sizes to try.

  7. Reply

    Kat

    Please Help! In desperate need of clean recommendation for dry skin products that will not dry out skin after dry down time, and a recommendations for SPF that won’t dry down afterwards and make the skin feel like the a dry desert?

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