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I had to overhaul my skincare routine last year when the brand I was using shut down (read about what happened to Beautycounter in this post). I’ve been blown away by the change I’ve seen in my skin since switching to Oliveda, especially considering I was happy with my skin beforehand. (Read my full Oliveda review here.) Today, I’m sharing what my skincare routine for dry skin looks like lately.
While this seems like a lot of steps, it takes less than 5 minutes, and I’ve seen a big difference in my skin’s appearance and texture since I started following a full skincare routine with all the basics steps (cleanse, tone, treat, hydrate, protect) consistently. And I NEVER EVER sleep with makeup on!
If you want to learn more about the basics of skincare and how to choose the right products for your skin type, sign up for this free mini skincare routine 101 course – it’s all sent right to your inbox over the course of a few days.
Additionally, I have promo codes for a few of the brands listed below, but I know it’s a long post so I wanted to call them out here as well.
I have normal to dry skin (and it’s VERY dry in the winter), so if you have normal, oily/acne-prone skin or combination skin, this may not be the right routine for you, but if you fill out this Skincare Survey, I will send you personalized recommendations for your skin type. Oliveda is a clean, waterless skincare brand that has such good products for all skin types, I tend to recommend that brand most but there will be a few others included from time to time too. Read more about Oliveda here!
My Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
If I list multiple products, it’s either because I alternate days or because I have two products that I like and I just use whatever I have on hand. I’m a skincare junkie so I’m always buying and trying more than I need.
My morning skincare routine
1. Cleanse
Oliveda 009 DOPE Your Glow Cleanser – I recently ordered this (I was using Oliveda F71 Corrective Cleansing Gel prior) and I like it even more! It’s SO soothing and hydrating. And the texture is so good. It’s an oil formula that still foams a little bit. I also have this Motif plumping cleanser and Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash, and use one of them after super sweaty workouts for a deeper cleanser.
2. Tone
Next, I use the Oliveda F67 Corrective Facial Tonic as my toner step. It contains hydroxytyrosol (a powerful antioxidant) and camu camu (a vitamin C booster). Since switching to this, my skin has been retaining moisture better.
3. Serum
I layer a few serums in the morning, that I use in this order.
Vitamin C Serum – This is for skin’s overall brightness and evenness. I’ve been using Oliveda F83 HT + Vitamin C Serum. I love the bright red color.
Oliveda F59 Corrective Face Serum + Oliveda Kahai Elixir – The F59 is my anti-aging serum. It’s nicknamed “botox in a bottle”, and while I don’t think I’d go that far (I’ve had botox in the past), I do think it’s wildly effective. It’s made with hydroxytyrosol and paracress which give a lifting effect while reducing the appearance of pores. I mix the F59 in my hand with the Oliveda Kahai Elixir –the serum helps the elixir’s oil formulation better penetrate the skin. The Elixir is a natural form of retinol that also helps with fine lines, wrinkles, and overall signs of aging. Read my full review of the Botox in a Bottle here.
4. Hydrate
For my day cream, I use the Oliveda F74 Regeneration Intense. It’s soothing, super hydrating, improves elasticity and reduces fine lines. The texture is a little odd but my skin feels so good that it’s worth it.
5. Eye cream
For eye care, I use the Oliveda F64 Corrective Eye Elixir + One Skin Topical Eye Supplement. I use the Oliveda F64 Corrective Eye Elixir underneath OneSkin as an eye serum. F64 is the “botox in a bottle” for your eyes. It has a triple hyaluronic acid structure and a ton of antioxidants, so it hydrates and plumps while also giving your eyes a more lifted, radiant look. I massage a drop around my eyes, and then follow with my eye cream. The eye cream from OneSkin is seriously so good and I feel like it improves fine lines and darkness immediately, and even more over time. (I love the OS Body Topical Supplement body lotion and OS-01 scalp serum too.)
6. Protect with SPF
I LOVE the OneSkin Face SPF 30+. It’s by far the best clean sunscreen I’ve ever used. Most sunscreens dry out my skin underneath my makeup or leave a white cast that takes forever to absorb in, but this sunscreen is perfect. It’s hydrating, thin enough that it absorbs pretty quickly, and it’s made with ultra-clean ingredients. (If I wear a tinted moisturizer, I wear Crunchi or Olive Rose. I reviewed them both in my Best Tinted Moisturizer blog post.)
My evening skincare routine
Best case scenario, I do my evening skincare regimen about 30-60 minutes before heading to bed. This gives my skin enough time to absorb everything before I put on my sleeping eye mask and put my face on my pillow (stomach sleeper here!). Most nights I change into PJs about an hour before I go to bed and do my skincare routine. Then, Tommy and I watch a show together before I go to bed.
1. Cleanse
Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm – This is super hydrating and smells amazing and removes every bit of makeup and grime from the day. I apply this to dry skin, then remove with a wet muslin towel or washcloth. It leaves my skin feeling amazing.
I like the Oliveda 009 DOPE Your Glow Cleanser for a double cleanse at night.
2. Tone
Oliveda F67 Corrective Facial Tonic as my toner step.
4. Serum
At night, I start by mixing a few drops of Oliveda F87 Corrective Kahai Elixir into my serum. The Oliveda F87 Corrective Kahai Elixir a natural, nut-derived retinol from kahai oil. This is what I recommend to anyone new to retinol or if you have issues using bakuchiol. It reduces fine lines and pore size, improves complexion, contracts pigmentation, AND protects against free radicals. Like I said, I mix it with my serum, which is the Oliveda F59 Corrective Face Serum (botox in a bottle).
Then I apply both to my skin.
5. Hydrate
For my night cream I use the Oliveda F74 Regeneration Intense Face Cream. I LOVE THIS SO MUCH. The texture is weird but it’s insanely hydrating. It reminds me of Augustinus Badiner but a fraction of the price (and more hydrating).
6. Eye Cream
I use the Oliveda F64 Corrective Eye Elixir and One Skin Topical Eye Supplement. Layer the Elixir under the eye cream.
7. Lip Mask
I love love love the The Oliveda F75 Olive Tree Therapy Lip Balm. It’s the best lip mask I’ve ever tried and I’ve tried a lot. Not only does it hydrate and my lips have completely stopped peeling since I use it, but they also look plumper and they have a more defined edge when I use it. It’s almost like it instantly improves the fine lines around my lips and decreases redness there. Once you try it, you’ll understand. It’s the best.
As Needed
Oliveda Hyaluronic Serum – When my skin needs an extra boost of hydration.
Oliveda F81 AHA + HT Serum Face – An overnight resurfacing peel. I use this 1x a week for skin texture, fine lines, and my skin’s overall appearance. It’s strong so don’t OD on it.
Oliveda F76 Honey Enzyme Face Mask – Exfoliates the skin but has a warming sensation. I love using this (which says a lot since I usually hate doing masks). I try to use it 1-2x a week.
Crunchi Polished Exfoliator – This is a more intense exfoliator than I’ve used in years, but I actually really love it. I only use it once a week. (Read my full Crunchi Makeup review here.)
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments section!
