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 summer.
By: Lisa Fennessy
IN THIS POST:
- TNK hierarchy of skincare
- What’s up with my skin right now
- Morning routine
- Evening routine
- Treatments (as necessary)
- Coupon codes
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
This summer I’ve been testing the entire One Love Organics line while peppering in a few outliers here and there.
Using One Love Organics almost exclusively, my skin feels super hydrated, plump and supple. It’s an absolute true pleasure to use this line and you can check out my top picks here.
That being said, between you and me, I’ve been under an EXTREME amount of stress recently. I won’t bore you with the details but there are several external situations that are out of my control that are just weighing me TF down and it’s been….a lot. And you can totally see this on my face—mostly via several blemishes in places I don’t normally get them.
When my face starts to freak out like this I always go to The Problem Solver which does just what its name implies. You got a problem? TPS will solve it (i.e., it unclogs pores, exfoliates, treats breakouts, brightens, evens hyperpigmentation and balances skin). Plus I love that you get an enormous amount of product here and it comes dry so it lasts like forever (unless you use it all up).
I’ve also been keeping Erin’s Faces Tamanu Oil and Tamanu Balm by my side to treat a condition I like to call dry-zinc-face. Maybe you are suffering from it too? No matter which way you slice it, zinc dries out skin and when you put it on your face on back to back to back days, at some point, your skin is going to wile out. Tamanu Oil to the rescue. Add a couple drops to your SPF or use it as a healing face oil at night.
Speaking of SPF, I’ve been reaching for Le Prunier Plumscreen for everyday-wear and Kinfield Sport SPF 35 for active / beach SPF. Both are 👌.
Lastly, I feel the need to say I’m 100% obsessed with Iris&Romeo’s The Rest as a makeup primer or hydration throughout the day. It’s a hybrid mist / serum and it’s phenomenal at creating a supple skin canvas pre-makeup. Great without makeup too.
RELATED: Have sensitive skin? Check out Nicolle’s sensitive skincare routine.
Morning Routine
- One Love Organics Vitamin B Cleansing Oil | $42
- One Love Organics Botanical D Moisture Mist | $39
- One Love Organics Love + Rose Hydrating Serum | $78
- One Love Organics Botanical C Facial Serum | $75
- Le Prunier Plumscreen | $78
Evening Routine
- One Love Organics Vitamin B Cleansing Oil | $42
- One Love Organics Botanical D Moisture Mist | $39
- One Love Organics Love + Rose Hydrating Serum | $78
- Leahlani Aqua A Retinoid Renewing Serum | $74 (which is what we are testing currently for our big retinol post coming…someday lol)
- Erin’s Faces Tamanu Oil | $40
Coupon codes
- Erin’s Faces: NEWKNEW will save you 10% on a one-time purchase.
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?
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.
Tracy DeFreitas
June 18, 2020Le Prunier is the best, and their packaging, it should cost more just for that alone and the smell, no words.
Lisa
June 22, 2020Tracy knows!!! I’m so glad you are loving it. I sometimes use it on my boy’s face’s too and they always say, “MMMMM, is this the plum one??” It really smells amazing.
Valerie
June 19, 2020Great post! I love reading about other women’s skincare routines!
Lisa
June 22, 2020Thanks Valerie! I’m loving this current routine! Have you tried anything here! xo, Lisa
La’Tasha
July 31, 2020Love the blog! I basically am going to copy and paste this to my vanity!!
Lisa
August 4, 2020Ha ha! Hi La’Tasha! Awesome! So glad this was helpful! xo, Lisa
Naomi
August 23, 2020Huge fan of yours and I am constantly buying your recommendations!!! Do you like Le Prunier better than True Botanicals Radiance Oil? I am torn😬
Lisa
August 31, 2020Hi Naomi! I get this question quite a bit actually! I like them both for different reasons. Le Prunier is ONE INGREDIENT skincare where True Botanicals is several ingredients. It’s like eating an apple vs. eating a salad. Which one is better? Depends, right? I have seen beautiful results with both oils. Le Prunier is a bit more moisturizing for my skin and I really like that. Pure Radiance delivers a totally different set of skin fortifying vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Honestly, I would say pick one, try it and in three months, try the other! See what you think. Maybe save the Le Prunier for the winter. You really can’t go wrong! xo, Lisa
Megan
September 7, 2020Hey,
I know you said that you ran out of your Straight A Serum, but where in this lineup would you use it? Before the Moth Bean Mask, in lieu of it?
Thanks!
Megan
Lisa
September 8, 2020Hi Megan! TSA is an oil so you can use it in two ways. You can sub it for your serum and then apply a cream over it. OR you can use your fave serum and sub it for your face oil as I find it to be moisturizing enough on its own. Very versatile! Hope this helps! xo, Lisa
Yoanna Gerwel Federici
September 22, 2020Hi Lisa, thank you for this great post!! What do you think of Marie Veronique Gentle Night retinol serum? Thx, Yoanna
Lisa
September 23, 2020Hi Yoanna! I’ve tried that formula too. Fantastic ingredients and I love recommending that line because it is essential oil free which a lot of people value. As far as the retinol goes, it’s just not as strong as say The Straight A or the retinol in African Botanics for example. In The Straight A you will see retinol listed as the second ingredient where as MV lists it as the very last. We know that proper labeling means ingredients are listed from highest percentage to lowest. And this correlates with my experience too. I didn’t see results with MV like I did with The Straight A. More here! https://thenewknew.com/retinol-in-organic-skincare/
Yoanna
September 23, 2020Thank you, Lisa. Very, very helpful! Take care, Yoanna
Lisa
January 14, 2021Last month, I finally threw away my Curology and started looking for a replacement. I purchased Maya Chia’s The Straight A for Christmas based on your recommendation, and now I’m obsessed. I’m still searching for a good exfoliant, so maybe I’ll try the one you suggested.
Also, I’m not sure if I can make a manuka honey mask. I’d eat it! I supplement with a tsp a day for gastro issues. Works great.
If you haven’t tried it yet, Mad Hippie is an amazing budget-friendly brand. The most expensive product is $34.99. And most importantly, products last a long time. I’m still using the face cleanser and toner I bought on October 1 at Whole Foods. And I just ran out of the moisturizer a week ago.
Lisa
January 27, 2021Hi Lisa! So glad your are loving The Straight A. I am a LIFER! lol. Thanks for the recs! xo, Lisa
NLFord
January 17, 2021Hi there…I always want to but everything on your lists! Such amazing recommendations and most of the ones I have tried are staples.
Question about the Odacite’s Blue Aura Cleansing Water…you said “It’s a natural version of micellar water”. Is micellar water not natural? Thanks, nlford
Lisa
January 27, 2021Hi NLFord! Some micellars can contain fragrance or questionable preservatives…it’s always worth a look at the ingredient label before buying ; ) xo, Lisa
William
January 19, 2021Good Lord that’s a lot of stuff! And money.
Julia
May 24, 2021Hi Lisa,
What is the strongest Vit C that you have tried and felt has worked? Thanks!!!!
Brooke Ellison
October 14, 2021This list is so helpful, although long and a little on the pricey side for all 10 products, I’m excited to incorporate
Amie
October 30, 2021Thank you so much for this! Have you ever tried Pratima’s products from NYC?
Lisa Fennessy
November 5, 2021Hi Amie! I haven’t…are they worth a try? xo, Lisa
Leianne Burge
November 11, 2021Hi Lisa! I’m new here, just found you and love all your info. At 60 and slightly oily, I still tend to breakout. I’m very diligent to clean and hydrate, and various other steps morning and evening, but oils are scary for me because of my breakout issues. A little history, I tried the Clinique balm and loved the texture but I broke out. I even took a break and gave it a second try but it doesn’t work for me. Any suggestions for the older, but oily and still acne prone?
Lisa Fennessy
November 12, 2021Hi Leianne! So glad you are here! Okay first I would ask what you are cleansing your skin with. I would recommend shying away from anything foaming or stripping and replacing that with a cleansing oil (these are my faves). This will help regulate oil production as stripping the oils during cleansing can cause skin to overproduce. After cleansing, make sure to mist your face so you are applying your moisturizer over damp skin – this helps to actually hydrate the skin. For a moisturizer I would recommend Prima’s Afterglow (ORGANIC20 will save you 20%) – it’s a cream so I think you will love it more than an oil. If this routine works for you, be sure to come back when you are ready for a refill and I can recommend a beautiful oil to try..you will be ready by next time! xoxo, Lisa
RJ
November 15, 2021Which Face oil do you like more- maya chia super couple or true botanicals pure radiance?
Lisa Fennessy
November 21, 2021Hi RJ! This is like choosing which child I like better – lol. I say if you have tried one of these, go ahead and try the other. You really can’t go wrong with either but your skin might like one better than the other and they are truly both worth a try. If you haven’t tried either then I would say try The Super Couple first ; ) xo, Lisa
Lora
November 25, 2021Wow! I’ve been researching organic skin care for mature skin for weeks. It’s very stressful, so I appreciate all your suggestions! I don’t see a Vit C serums? Are there any you’d recommend….. or do you feel it’s not necessary?
Thank you so much!
Lisa Fennessy
November 28, 2021Hi Lora! I love a good Vit C serum and I rotate them in and out—mostly because there is so much I want to try but I only have one face, lol. I would recommend this one and this one. xo! Lisa
Leianne Burge
January 2, 2022Hi Lisa! We last corresponded on November 11-12 but I wasn’t able to link into that thread so I’m starting a new one. You ask about my cleansing. I was using Clinique mild foaming cleanser until reading your reply and researching from there. I switched to maya chia oil cleanser which I LOVE! I never imagined I could use an oil being sensitive to breaking out but it is amazing! Then I also switched to osea cleanser that I also love. I actually started with this one and saw immediate results. Very impressive. Then purchased the maya chai. Both are lovely! I’m now ready to move to a moisturizer day/night/eye etc. I think you mentioned Prima Afterglow which I haven’t yet purchased. I currently use dermalogica day which I’m not dissatisfied with but I feel there could be something better, and exuviance night which has really been a blessing in settling my skin down at the end of each day. Again I feel there could be a better choice. I love hearing your suggestions and they have been perfect so I’d love to hear more. Thanks again!
Kelly Liddell
January 27, 2022Hi Lisa! I currently use true botanicals chebula serum and then add vitamin c powder to my renew oil. If I used maya chia’s ARC would i still need to use true botanicals chebula oil? Where would the arc fit into my daily face care routine? Thanks!
Patti
February 6, 2022Hey Lisa,
To say I’m overwhelmed is an understatement. I love your blog and everything I’ve read so far. I’m 55, never was a big fan of wearing a lot of make up nor have I ever had an extensive skin care routine. I find myself getting lost in what’s best for MY skin vs what everybody else does. Currently I rinse my face with just water, apply a serum, then moisturizer. If I happen to wear makeup, I do use a make up remover towelette, rinse and so on. I find that you don’t get a straight answer from the dermatologist either. I have been looking for more clean based products, which is what brought me to your page. I am very intimidated by all the steps that’s been listed in your skin care routine. And confused with what should be applied and when…. I live in central Illinois climate, so dry in the winter and humid in summer. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated!
Lisa Fennessy
February 11, 2022Hi Patti! Yes! A basic skincare routine for day or night would be: cleanse, tone or mist, serum, moisturizer. That’s it! This order will prioritize small molecule before larger molecule, add hydration and help to lock in moisture. xo, L
Regina
February 22, 2022Thank you for all the work you’ve put in! I find this post very helpful. By the way, I read in one article (https://yarishmd.com/4-keys-to-longevity-of-a-facelift/) that retinoids can be very effective in resisting skin aging. But I also heard that they are quite harsh. What do you think about this?
Lisa Fennessy
February 25, 2022Totally! There are several different kinds of retinol at varying strengths and compositions. I break it all down in this post with a recommendation and before + after pics for my top rec. Hope this helps! xo, L