The job of a beauty editor is to trial beauty products and write about them (only the best gig in the world!). To do this, er, super tough job, beauty editors are given exclusive access to all the latest products to hit shelf from drugstore to luxe and even cult buys. So who better to ask for a recommendation than from someone who gets to try loads and loads of beauty products. So on your behalf, I quizzed the content team on their skin care routine and they gladly handed over the juicy details. Here’s everything you need to know about their AM and PM regimes plus all the extra weekly treatments and products they get and use.
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Sophie, makeup, hands & feet editor
Skin type: Dehydrated and acne-prone
Skin concerns: “Currently, my focus is on hydration and avoiding ingredients that will clog my pores. This can be really challenging as there are so many great hydrating products that I’d love to try, but can’t as they will cause me to breakout.”
Morning skin care routine: “So that my skin is slightly damp before I apply my serum, I spray Avène Thermal Spring Water all over my face. This is meant to help my skin absorb the next product. Next, I apply Clinique Moisture Surge Supercharged Concentrate to help boost my skin’s moisture levels and I’ve noticed a huge difference since using it. To massage my serum into my skin, boost blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, I use a jade roller that I keep in the fridge for a cooling effect. To moisturise and protect my skin from sun damage, I apply Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 30+ all over my face, and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Eye Contour under my eyes. To soften and hydrate my lips, I use Bite Beauty Argave Lip Balm.”
Night-time skin care routine: “Firstly, I use BIODERMA Sensibio H2O to remove my makeup, then I cleanse my face with Cetaphil Cleanser that’s great for dehydrated, acne-prone skin. I repeat a few of my morning steps including spritzing my face with Avène Thermal Spring Water, applying Clinique Moisture Surge Supercharged Concentrate and massaging it all in with a jade roller. To hydrate my skin overnight, I apply Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, a thick moisturising-gel. And to protect and moisturise my under eye area, I pat on La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Eye Contour. Every night before I go to sleep, I apply Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask – I’m obsessed! It keeps my skin so hydrated and it’s great for travelling too. And I always apply Bite Beauty Argave Lip Balm to soften and moisturise my lips.
Weekly products and treatments: “I use an under eye mask at least once a week to help with any under eye puffiness and keep it in the fridge so they’re extra cooling. If I’m really tired (aka hungover) I swap my jade roller for an ice roller as I find that it wakes up my complexion and has firming benefits. Once or twice a week, I use my trusty facial razor and it makes my skin SO soft and smooth, not to mention my makeup sits much better. It’s honestly the best form of exfoliation – such a game changer.”
Eloise, perfume editor
Skin type: Combination skin that’s pretty oily and prone to acne.
Skin concerns: “Acne and oiliness (in my T-zone especially).”
Morning skin care routine: “I’m normally too lazy to cleanse (eek) so just wipe on a bit of my Natio Rosewater Hydration Antioxidant Micellar Cleansing Water. That way, at least I know I’m starting with a fresh canvas. Next, I apply the La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light SPF50+ for sun protection before mixing a bit of the Go-To Face Hero Facial Oil in with the Go-To Very Useful Face Cream. I mix the oil in to make the moisturiser a bit runnier, so it’s easier to rub in but also because Face Hero is packed with oils that have lots of hydrating and soothing benefits. So I don’t quickly power through all of the Go-To, I use Palmer’s Skin Perfecting Moisturizing Day Cream as a cheaper alternative to moisturise my neck and chest.”
Night-time skin care routine: “During the week I wear makeup every day, so my PM routine starts with a gentle cleanse with the Raww Purify-Me Gentle Cleanser. I use a Sante by Enjo Makeup Remover to do this because that combination removes every trace of my makeup. I double cleanse. So next, I use the Proactiv Step 1 to really give my skin a thorough clean. If I have a few pimples I’ll pat the Proactiv Step 2 Toner over my face and then some LUSH Tea Tree Water directly onto the pimples. But if my skin is looking pretty clear I’ll just spray on some of the Sukin Gentle Toner. Next, I pat on the Alpha-H Vitamin A & E 50/50 Treatment. I use this because it’s a restorative treatment for acne scarring (which I have on my T-zone). If my eyes are looking puffy, I’ll dab some Benefit B.Right Firm It Up! Eye Serum under my eyes. Once that all settles in, I lock it in with the Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Night Cream. I tend to use different creams for my neck and chest, so then I apply the Olay Total Effects Day Cream Normal.”
Weekly products and treatments: “I love sheet masks! I tend to use a couple every fortnight just because the following day I feel like my face looks more glowing and hydrated. I normally exfoliate my face once a week, with an exfoliating mask like the LUSH Just To Clarify Jelly Mask. I then follow this with the Trilogy Sensitive Very Gentle Hydra-Mask to add hydration back in.”
Kate, hair, body & health editor
Skin type: Oily/combination
Skin care concerns: “I’m prone to breakouts and I’m very fair, so I have to be careful about pigmentation.”
Morning skin care routine: “I like to keep it simple in the morning and at the moment I’m obsessed with Glossier so you’ll find lots of their products in my AM routine. I start by cleansing after my morning workout with the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, which has the loveliest rose scent and gentle feel on the skin. I follow with the Glossier Super Pure serum to combat any lingering breakouts, then I smooth on a layer of Glossier Priming Moisturiser, which is BOMB under makeup. I ALWAYS apply sunscreen over the top to protect my fair, pigmentation-prone skin from the sun – the Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF50 is my absolutely Holy Grail sunscreen and I won’t leave home without it.”
Night-time skin care routine: “Nighttime is where I start to get a little lazy, but I’ve designed my PM skincare routine around my penchant for saying ‘stuff it’ and only using a makeup wipe. I currently have two evening skincare routines that I alternate between at night – one that is exfoliant-based and one that is retinol-based. To kick off both routines I remove my makeup with BY TERRY Cellularose Micellar Water Cleanser and follow with the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, which makes for one rose-scented cleansing routine. On my exfoliation nights (my lazy beauty nights!) I keep the rose-scented party going with the Alpha-H Liquid Gold Rose, which I apply to my whole face with a cotton pad and leave on overnight to let the glycolic acid do its thing. On my retinol nights I apply the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil after cleansing to help smooth my skin, minimise pigmentation and prevent any wrinkles from showing their pesky face. I then follow with a dedicated nighttime moisturiser that’s nice and rich and will really hydrate my skin while I sleep – at the moment I’m using the Ren V-CENSE Revitalising Night Cream, which makes my skin feel softer and look brighter.”
Weekly products and treatments: “I try to do a weekly face mask every Sunday to get my skin ready for another week of filming videos, attending meetings and going to beauty launches. I like to switch it up (there are just so many good ones to try!), but I tend to gravitate towards clay masks that unclog my pores and make my skin soft. My current favourites are the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask and GLAMGLOW Supermud Clearing Treatment.”
Kristy, skin care & mum & baby editor
Skin type: Combination
Skin concerns: “Hormonal breakouts, sun spots, oily t-zone and dehydrated cheeks.”
Morning skin care routine: “If I woken up with a breakout, I’ll use D’Lumiere Esthetique Deep Purifying Cleanser to remove excess oil and spot treat them with a drying product like Benzac AC Gel. But if my skin is looking healthy, I’ll use Cosmedix Benefit Clean Gentle Cleanser, it’s gentle and never irritates my skin. I suffer from dark under eye circles so I use Biologi Rejuvenation Eye Serum to reduce them. I tone my skin with ARCONA Cranberry Toner to keep my skin refreshed and super cleansed. I need my skin care to work smart, not hard, and since serums are fast acting, they’re my priority. I love Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate. It works wonders on my sun spots. Sunscreen is the most important step in my routine, so I never leave the house without applying it. I use SunSense Moisturising Face SPF 50+ – it’s not greasy and doesn’t sting my eyes. If I’ve woken up with red skin, I’ll apply Dermalogica Calm Water Gel to soothe and prep my skin before I apply foundation, otherwise, I’ll moisturise with Clinique Moisture Surge 72-hour Auto-Replenishing Hydration – the more I hydrate my skin, the less wrinkly it looks.”
Nighttime skin care routine: “Since skin cell regeneration peaks between 11 pm and 4 am, I put as much effort as possible into my nighttime routine as time will permit. I take my makeup off with Aspect Gold Cleansing Micellar Water. Then I wash my face with Cosmedix Benefit Clean Gentle Cleanser and a drenched Manicare Makeup Remover Towel. Every second night, I apply Alpha-H Liquid Gold to help even out my skin tone. I apply Biologi Rejuvenation Eye Serum all around my eyes, then I massage Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate into my face and down my neck. I was recently introduced to jade rolling so after I apply the serum, I massage my entire face and neck with an inexpensive jade roller I bought off Amazon. It helps to diminish the appearance of fine lines, assist lymphatic drainage, increase blood circulation and release negative energy. Depending on what mood my skin is in, I alternate between using RosehipPLUS® Rosehip Oil when my skin is super dehydrated and irritated. Otherwise, I use Dermalogica Sleep Cocoon (on counter March 16th) that not only helps with hydration but is infused with French Lavender oil to promote a deeper sleep.”
Weekly products and treatments: “I exfoliate my skin weekly with ARCONA Cranberry Gommage to keep my skin smooth and blackheads at bay but I also use Proactiv® Blackhead Dissolving Gel to help reduce their appearance. Masking is a crucial part of my weekly routine, if I don’t do it, my skin looks blah. I prefer to use a calming, hydrating type that makes my skin look dewy and rejuvenated. I’m currently using Lush Jelly Face Mask FOMO and Trilogy Very Gentle Hydra-Mask.”
Rosie, editor
Skin type: combination, sensitive and reactive
Skin concerns: “As my skin is so sensitive and reactive, certain products and ingredients – and even foods and weather! – can set it off into a red rage, so I have to be quite selective with what I use on my skin.”
Morning skin care routine: “In the morning, I use Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser, and follow with Rodan+Fields Active Hydration Serum, followed by the Rodan + Fields SOOTHE Moisture Replenishing Cream. I then finish with my SPF – Avène Sunscreen Emulsion SPF 50+.”
Nighttime skin care routine: “To remove my makeup, I use Dermalogica PreCleanse, followed by my Dermalogica Ultra Calming Cleanser. I then hydrate my skin with Rodan+Fields Active Hydration Serum, followed by the Rodan+Fields SOOTHE Moisture Replenishing Cream.”
Weekly products and treatments: “I like to treat my skin to a mask at least once a week. I’m in love with DMK Hydrating Mask or Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque for that extra hit of moisture.”
What’s your go-to skin care routine? Have you used any of these products?
