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 fall.
By: Lisa Fennessy
IN THIS POST:
- TNK hierarchy of skincare
- What’s up with my skin right now
- Morning routine
- Evening routine
- 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
I think we can all agree October is by far the best month out of the year. The warm drinks are back, the sun is less oppressive, the air is crisp and we are one month closer to the second half of Outlander season 7—I mean, we don’t call it #roctober for nothing!
Anyway, I took a break from retinol over the summer because I’m just out in the sun too much during that time of year which feels like a one step forward, two steps back type of scenario and I’m not here for it. But I started back up this month with Leahlani’s Aqua A. Stay tuned for a full report.
In other news, I’m also kinda obsessed with the CurrentBody LED Face Mask. I was skeptical about red light therapy so I wanted to really put it to the test and I honestly can’t believe what a difference it made in my skin in just 30 days. Check out these before and afters👇
If you want to give it a try, use code THENEWKNEWLED to save $60 off this mask at CurrentBody.
Lastly, as a general skincare PSA, don’t’ forget to add a little face massage into your daily skincare routine. My #1 FAQ still remains, “Do you use any Botox? How does your skin have no wrinkles?” Which I answer more in depth here but the bottom line is oils, oils, oils and massage. If you need a “how to”, I love this face massage tutorial by Lisa Eldridge. And it doesn’t have to be anything lengthy…even just 1-2 minutes of face massage daily can really make a difference.
Here’s what I’ve been using lately…
RELATED: Have sensitive skin? Check out Nicolle’s sensitive skincare routine.
Morning Routine
- Leahlani Pamplemousse Tropical Cleansing Oil
- Laurel Hydrating Elixir C – Jasmine Hibiscus
- Lilfox Flower Goo
- Le Prunier Plum Oil
- Le Prunier Plumscreen for daily wear or Kinfield Daily Dew SPF 35 for tennis days
RELATED: My surprising results after trying NuFACE for 1 day.
Evening Routine
- True Botanicals Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm
- Alpyn Pore Perfecting Liquid with 2% BHA & Borage 2x per week (or when I feel like it)
- Laurel Hydrating Elixir C – Jasmine Hibiscus
- Lilfox Flower Goo
- Leahlani Aqua A Retinoid Renewing Serum
- Maya Chia Advanced Eye Response Complex Retinol Cream
- CurrentBody Mask
Coupon codes
- CurrentBody: Use code THENEWKNEWLED to save $60 off this mask.
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.
Natalie
July 16, 2022I’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)
Lisa Fennessy
August 6, 2022Hi Natalie! Awesome, what have you found that you’ve loved so far??? xo, Lisa
Lies
July 28, 2022Lisa, 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 :).
Lisa Fennessy
August 6, 2022Hi 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
pilar
August 9, 2022Just 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?
Lisa Fennessy
August 29, 2022Hi Pilar! I typically don’t use a traditional moisturizer. I prefer serums layered under oils 😍 – Hope this helps! xo, Lisa
pilar
August 9, 2022do you have “level 1” products for morning and evening that you cold not do without? I just bought the Straight A!
Lisa Fennessy
August 29, 2022Hi Pilar! Have you incorporated Manuka honey into your routine yet?! It’s a GAME CHANGER! (Cleansing, masking, honey tapping..) xo, Lisa
Norma
November 19, 2022Wanted to compare to what I’m doing.
Tricia
January 24, 2023I love honey skincare products and I just purchased the oil cleanser and mask, thanks for posting!! I love they have travel sizes to try.
Kat
February 3, 2023Please 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?
Dawn Crawford
July 17, 2023I am going to try all of these great ONE Love products, thank you! I can’t believe how glowy and radiant your skin looks! I have actually been using Leahlani Aqua A for about 6 months now at least, maybe longer. I have gone through about 4 or5 bottles of it. I LOVE it and have personlly found that it is a lot more powerful at reversing wrinkles for me than Maya Chia The Straight A. I used the straight A for a year and a half at least, every day …then I tried Aqua A as soon as it came out and I was floored by the results. I couldn’t believe it reversed age more than TSA did for me, because TSA is great. Aqua A was better than any clean retinol product I’ve ever used, and I’ve used them all. In fact when I run out of Aqua A and go back to some bottles of TSA thatI keep in my fridge for freshness, I have wrinkles that start creeping back within a week or two because Aqua A is just stronger for me at reversing wrinkles. I have also tried and loved Josh Rosenbrooks Granactive retinol- Active infusion oil, and Mara Beauty’s Algae retinol face oil. I have used both of those for 6 month straight., and while they are both lovely and definitely work well, they don’t compare to what Aqua A does at renewing my skin and reversing wrinkles. In order my favorites are: Aqua A, TSA, Maras retinol oil, Josh rosenbrooks retinol..I am now comparing Lovinah’s retinol oil and it is actually really really good. It might be as good as Aqua A, but it’s too early to tell for me. It seems pretty close to Aqua A with great results, but I need to test it for longer to be sure. Aqua A sinks in much faster and is more lightweight than Lovinah which I like because it gets into the skin faster than all the other retinols I mentioned…but at the same time, I love how plump and hydrated my skin is with Lovinah’s. The texture of the Lovinah retinol oil is more like TSA, but I think it i actually more plumping and sinks in a faster, it’s more plumping and hydrating to my skin than TSA. Dont get me wrong, I adore TSA, I’m just being honest about my experience. I love all the retinols I mentioned, they are all great products, but since I am 44 now, I am testing and comparing all the retinols because it is one of the best wrinkle fighting weapons in my skincare arsenal 🙂 I am curious what you think of Aqua A 🙂 Your skin looks AMAZING!
Lisa Fennessy
August 3, 2023Hi Dawn! Wow thanks for all of this! I am currently doing a 30 day test of Aqua A so I can’t wait to compare! Really appreciate your testimonial. xo, Lisa
Virginia
October 23, 2023Thanks for sharing this on an ongoing basis. I have the Le Prunier Plum Oil and really love the smell. I feel like it leaves my skin kind of greasy – makeup seems to slide off when I use it. Do you think I’m using too much or any other tips?
Lisa Fennessy
October 27, 2023Hi Virginia! Totally! So I think yes, you are using too much. Try using half of what you are using right now so if you are currently using 6 drops, try using 3 drops and see if that helps! Your skin should feel moisturized and plump but not greasy!