Skincare has been an evolving thing for me and since my skin is uber sensitive and a mix of oily and dry, so my routine has to be extremely particular. Learned the sensitive skin thing the hard way during my corporate days at my first Beauty Summit, the night before I had to speak to the entire organization. I tried a new product (new for me) because an assistant buyer in my department had the most beautiful skin. I asked her what she was using and thought by using it I would have her skin too. Spoiler alert, she was like twenty something and I was at least 5-10 years senior to her, so her skin probably just looked that way on the reg. Anyways, a Dr. 911 call and a few prescriptions later, plus some foundation and I was miraculously ready to face the world. Moral of the story is that beauty is specific to your skin, pretty much as our life journeys are specific to us. I’m sharing what I use and love, and have been my absolute skin saviors. If you are trying anything new, ALWAYS make sure to check the ingredients or do a skin test before applying to your own face. Without further adieu, here is my skin routine keeping me youthful (and botox free) at my “woman of a certain age” age.

DIY SKIN SPA

My skin routine involves a Blue Lagoon mask set I purchased at the Retreat Spa in Iceland. It has been a gamechanger for me since I don’t get a lot of traditional facials these days due to my travel schedule. It is a 4-step masking process, so I normally do this on a night when I plan on just relaxing and staying in. And sometimes I just do it when I feel like my skin starts to look dull—it brightens it up immediately, no joke! The lava scrub exfoliates, silica mask firms and tightens and the algae mask moisturizes. I leave those on for 10 minutes each. The last step is the mineral mask, which is more of a moisturizer. It says to leave it on for 20 minutes, which you can, but i just leave it on overnight.

When to use: Weekly. I try to do this on days I wash my hair so my conditioner stays in for 30 mins. It’s a double bonus because you get great skin and fabulously soft hair after!

ANTIOXIDANT

This is something I started doing regularly last fall—using vitamin C serum everyday. It has really done wonders! Even my aesthetician in Paris noticed the difference to my skin. The one I use is from my doctor—if you have a dermatologist on the UES, I guarantee it is the same one with a different label on it. Since I don’t make it to my derm often because of my travel schedule, I have also started using Face Theory’s Regena C30 Pro Vitamin C Serum, and it is a Godsend. I have seen a difference in my skin texture and tone.

When to use: Daily in the am.

SKIN BOOSTER

The Secret Sauce by the Beauty Sandwich is the one item in my beauty regimen I am absolutely obsessed with. Everytime I use it, my face feels firmer and just looks more youthful. I discovered this magic elixir after one of my treatments with Ivan. One thing I love about him is that he didn’t try to make me buy it because he knew about my sensitivity problem. I HATE when people try to sell you stuff! A few days later after I saw that I had no reaction and my skin looked and felt fab, so I went back and got it. I used to buy extra after my treatments because that was the only way you could get it, but now it is available on Moda Operandi so I guess I can stop hoarding them :)

When to use: Daily, am and pm. In the morning, after vitamin C and before your moisturizer. At night, I don’t do serum and go straight to this, plus a good night’s sleep!

SKIN RENEWER

I have finally jumped on the retinol bandwagon and almost wish I did it sooner. For those of you who don’t know what this holy grail does, It helps unclog pores. Retinol also exfoliates your skin and increases collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher, plump appearance. Since my skin is UBER sensitive, I haven’t used retinol since I was a child for my acne (it was more o f prescription thing back in the day; now anyone and everyone uses it. Luckily I found two products that have low enough of a concentration that it actually has made my skin less dull in a matter of weeks. I use the NCEF-Intensive Concentrated Multi-Correction Face Serum from Filorga in the morning and La Roche-Posay’s Retinol B3 Serum at night.

When to use: Daily, am and pm. After Secret Sauce, before Ialuset.

HYDRATION PRIMER

Not all skincare needs to cost an arm and a leg. A darling of the French pharmacy I have been using for years and will continue to use forever is Ialuset. It’s basically hyaluronic acid in cream form. Hyaluronic acid is actually produced by your skin and is critical in maintaining skin hydration, but as we age it decreases. By applying it topically, you are hydrating your skin and helping your skin keep moisture in. The main purpose for ialuset is for fast healing for wounds, so imagine what it does for your face. Also another beauty secret, check the ingredients for all those high priced moisturizers you buy from prestige brands—I guarantee you they all contain hyaluronic acid.

When to use: Daily, am and pm. After retinol, before moisturizer.

MOISTURIZER

Most of my skincare is year round except for moisturizer. In the winter months, I go with another one of my French pharmacy favorites, Embryolisse lait crème concentré. It is great for keeping my face hydrated and soft in the winter months. When summer comes along, I switch it up to La Mer’s moisturizing soft creme. It is honestly magical and one of my favorite La Mer products.

When to use: Daily, am and pm. After Ialuset.

SUNSCREEN

I wear suncscreen on my face everyday—spf 50 mostly, but nothing lower than 30 if I can’t get my hands on 50. I have a few face sunscreens in my rotation—one from my derm (loaded with antioxidants), Shiseido urban environment (great for city life) and Supergoop Glow Stick (mostly in tropical climates). I like these because they are best for my lifestyle and work with my skin. Honestly, use the sunscreen that works best for you. Don’t think it matters, as long as you use it (even on overcast days)!

When to use: Daily before heading out

INFRARED MASK

I have been an infrared girl since 2016 when I discovered Higher Dose’s infrared saunas. I used to go regularly pre-covid and definitely was a mood and glow booster. Since I haven’t been to their saunas much since the pandemic, I bought their infrared face mask last year. Results are different for everyone, but red light can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and decrease inflammation because its longer wavelength deeply penetrates the skin to boost collagen. I just started using this regularly and am loving the results on my skin when I use it.

When to use: 2-3x a week or as needed, after cleansing and before secret sauce or first beauty product.