Back in my teens and early 20s, when I had time, smooth skin and a reckless aversion to treating my body with the R-E-S-P-E-C-T it deserved, I didn’t bother with things like curating a skincare routine. I was lucky if I moisturised twice-daily and I may have used soap in lieu of a cleanser on more than one occasion. My skin lived off a strict diet of whatever products a) my mum gave me for Christmas, b) were available to purchase from my local supermarket, or c) my housemates left in the shower. It’s not my proudest chapter, but we all have our skeletons.
Slowly, as the heavy hand of ageing began to slap down on my face, all of that began to change. Now, I am the kind of person who finds joy in sniffing out new serums and penciling in for chemical peels. I have a skincare routine that involves more than two products and spans various price points. Tantamount to this, I have become a bit of a busy body when it comes to finding out what other people religiously.
Given my newfound obsession with skincare and other people’s regimes, I peeped into the beauty cabinets of our team @ COH, and emerged with four (very different) product-laden skincare routines (including mine) that will give you all sorts of glowing, plumped-up skin. For some hot new product tips and tricks or, to really tap into your voyeuristic side, it’s advised you read on…
Carmen, Founder
What does your daily skincare routine look like?
I’m very (potentially too) low-key when it comes to my skin. Any regime that involves more than three steps leaves me feeling like I’ve set myself up for failure (because I can never stick to it for longer than a week).
My essentials steps involve removing make-up with Simple Micellar Water or Dermalogica’s Pre-Cleanse Balm (for heavier make-up), a deep cleanse with Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel and then a thick layer of Dermalogica Calm Water Gel moisturiser.
What product do you reach for when your skin is feeling ‘meh’?
If my skin is feeling super ‘meh’, I’ll do a face mask. On the weekend, I’ll use Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask mixed with apple cider vinegar to purify my skin and prevent breakouts, or before an event I’ll pop on the Estée Lauder Power Foil Mask (it literally brings your skin back to life in 10 minutes!).
Beyond that, I always find that a small amount of face tanner works wonders if you’re looking for a quick fix heading in to the weekend. I use Ella Bache Great Tan Without Sun.
What’s your favourite cost-friendly product, and what do you tend to splurge on?
IMO, the best product you can buy on a budget is the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask ($12 from Target, and it will last you a lifetime), or Simple Micellar Water (especially if you have sensitive skin). For a splurge, I do love the Estèe Lauder Advanced Night Repair (can you tell by now that I’m a creature of habit?).
Next on my list to try is… Weleda Skin Food (I’ve heard so many great things, and it’s SO cheap).
Madeleine, Content Editor
What does your daily skincare routine look like?
My skincare regime is heavily centred on hydration, but I still reckon cleansing is one of the most important/underrated steps. I use Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel each morning and night (although, I’ll sometimes sub in the UltraCalming Cleanser if my skin feels overwhelmed/sensitive). Every second or third day (or when my skin feels rough), I’ll mix in the Daily Microfoliant for an extra scrub. I try to be gentle and pat my face to dry it. On the rare occasion that I am energised enough to wear mascara, I’ll precede this all with a splash of micellar water (whatever is on hand, not fussy at all). Once my skin is squeaky clean, it’s time to lather on illegal amounts of moisture…
Morning: First up, a little life-affirming spritz of the Dermalogica UltraCalming Mist before I add serum. I made the (great, beautiful, skin-changing) mistake of trialling the Dr Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum and now I’ll never be satisfied with anything else. For anyone who can afford to fork out in excess of $400 for a serum, I promise you that it’s good. Like really good. The best even. For everyone else, there’s the Glossier Super Bounce Serum, which I’ve been using ever since our recent trip to NYC, and which I find is yielding similar results (but at a teeny, tiny fraction of the cost). I also love to sub in The Ordinary Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil.
Night: I predominantly use the Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream or the Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque which is meant to be washed off, but I sleep in it! I love the Sunday Riley Luna Retinol Oil, which I use quite sporadically (and come to think of it, probably not half as much as I should). I use the Drunk Elephant C-Tango Eye Cream both in the AM and PM, too, and the aforementioned mist/serum liberally before applying my cream.
What product do you reach for when your skin is feeling ‘meh’?
If my skin is dehydrated, I’ll scull as much water as possible and hit the herbal teas, then pop on a face mask (my favourite is the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mask), and if my skin is feeling particularly rouge/rogue, I’ll use the Kiehl’s Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque.
What’s your favourite cost-friendly product, and what do you tend to splurge on?
Call me crazy, but I am low-key obsessed with face wipes as a cost-effective way to deep cleanse my face, and also don’t mind a drugstore-bought sheet mask (like this Garnier one). I splurge on anything Drunk Elephant.
Next on my list to try is… Cosmetic 27’s Crème Biologique! It looks so good!
Jai, Editorial Assistant
What is your daily skincare routine?
I’ll wake up and wash my face with cold water to cleanse. Then, depending on how puffy my eyes are, I’ll use Origins No Puffery Cooling Rollerball. I’ll then moisturise with Dermalogica’s Calm Water Gel (life-changing—no blocked pores or sweaty forehead in the summer with this moisturiser). I put Rosehip Oil on my eyebrows and brush it in (not weird). As soon as I get home from work, I immediately jump in the shower and clean off any makeup with Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (the one for sensitive skin, as my skin is EXTREMELY sensitive and hates everyone and everything).
I’ll then cleanse with the Mario Badescu Glycol Foaming Cleanser, which I only just found out (after two years of using it daily) that you’re only meant to use it twice a week max, so I now have the Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel for day-to-day use, which I honestly don’t feel does the job as well as the foaming cleanser. Post-shower and pre-bed, I ALWAYS lather my face and neck in Bio Oil (best ever). I’m also a lip balm addict, so I literally apply it like five times an hour—doesn’t matter what kind, any I can get my hands on. [Editor’s note: there’s a Carmex Lip Balm tub sitting on her desk right now]. To be completely transparent, I have only just started taking my skin seriously. The one thing I have always trusted to make my skin glow is drinking at least 2L of water a day, typical, I know, but I stand by it.
What product do you reach for when your skin is feeling ‘meh’?
I don’t drink alcohol much, but the only time my skin really feels ‘meh’ is probably the day after a night out. Which obviously means I’m dehydrated, so I’ll force myself to drink water and continue to lather my skin in oil, but Sukin Rosehip Oil this time as it’s thicker.
What’s your favourite cost-friendly product, and what do you tend to splurge on?
Bio-Oil! The absolute best invention ever—it’ll make your skin G-L-O-W and a bottle will last for over a year (if you’re using it nightly). For a splurge, LIP BALM! My best friend Emily and I like to try every different kind of lip balm there is. Every time we go to a chemist, we’ll buy one we haven’t tried before, even if it is like $25 for a 3 gram tube.
Next on my list to try is…
Every Dermalogica product under the sun.
Georgie, Creative Assistant
What does your daily skincare routine look like?
In the morning, I start by washing my face, and once or twice a week, I use a scrub like this Mario Badescu one (only around my nose). Once I get out of the shower, I air-dry my face. I then apply a serum and leave for a few minutes to let it sink in (I usually then spend my time starting to choose what to wear!). At the moment I’m using the Perfect Potion Replenish Serum. Then my favourite part—a face oil. Admittedly, I have a bit of an obsession with oils, and have quite a few on rotation from day to day… My favourites are the Perfect Potion Skin Elixir, the Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost and the Kora Organics Noni Glow. A big part of my routine is a facial massage which really makes a difference for my dark circles and plumping up my face. Crystal Rollers are also a good place to start. I then finally apply a face cream, and at the moment I am loving the Sukin Moisture Restoring Night Cream for everyday use and the Josie Maran Pure Argan Milk Treatment. Also, the Moogoo Honey Tingling Lip Balm is with me everywhere I go.
I’ve always been quite lazy when it comes to my body but when I have time, I dry brush before having a shower and then use the Aesop Redemption Body Scrub (first product I’ve found that actually softens my skin) and then I’ll use the Aesop Rejuvenate Intensive Body Balm.
What product do you reach for when your skin is feeling ‘meh’?
Oils are always my go to to restore moisture, plumpness and colour to the skin. I love using the Sunday Riley Luna Oil at night. An all-over dry skin saviour, especially after flying, is Goē Oil.
Something that I’ve found I can’t live without are my Beauty Chef Powders… I carry this concoction with me everywhere (I’ve even taken it into a bar before) and am constantly pitching it to my friends. I swear by the Collagen Inner Beauty Boost, the Glow Inner Beauty Powder and the Cleanse Inner Beauty Powder.
What’s your favourite cost-friendly product, and what do you tend to splurge on?
My favourite cost-effective products are the Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost and the Sukin Moisture Restoring Night Cream.
Next on my list to try…
The Beauty Chef Probiotic Skin Refiner.
We showed you our daily skincare routines, so it’s only fair you show us yours in the comments section below!
Introduction, Madeleine Woon | Collage, Georgie Wood-Weber