I present to you my current fall nighttime skincare routine ft. how to skin cycle and my fave products. Since the UV index is lower it’s time to bring out the exfoliants & retinoids again!!

Skin cycling follows this routine over the course of three nights: exfoliate (day 1) -> retinol (day 2) -> rest (day 3) -> repeat. This practice and these products have helped make my skin glow like no other and are relatively seamless to follow once you get the hang of the rotation.

Step 1 – Double Cleanse (Step 1 on Day 1, 2, & 3)

I do this every night, starting first with massaging olive oil into my skin and then removing any makeup with a damp reusable makeup pad. After this is complete, I’ll go in with the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser (my holy grail) to wash any leftover residue. It’s worth mentioning that I have suuuuuuuuper sensitive dry skin and this combination has never led me astray. I also only wash my face at night, and this has made a huge difference in helping my skin stay hydrated throughout the day.

Step 2 – Exfoliate (Step 2 on Day 1, not a step on Day 2 & 3)

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant will transform the texture of your skin to be oh-so-smooth. It does everything it says it will on the bottle and then some!! Instead of applying this with a cotton pad, I’ll pat it on my face like an essence.

Step 2 / 3 – Serums (Step 2 on Day 2 & 3 // Step 3 on Day 1)

I notice a difference whenever I don’t use these products and it ain’t pretty!! These two serums have upped the baseline level of hydration my skin is able to attain. The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum creates a hydrated foundation for the following products to seep into, so I’ll always put this one on first. Similarly, their “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% serum hydrates while reducing the appearance of fine lines and inflammation. The only catch with the ladder is that it doesn’t mix well with retinol, so don’t use it on Day 2.

Step 3 – Retinol (Step 3 on Day 2, not a step on Day 1 & 3)

Step 3 / 4 – Moisturize (Step 3 on Day 1 + 3 // Step 4 on Day 2)

The French were really onto something when they formulated these two products.

A313 has changed the appearance of my skin for the better. It literally makes it bounce to the touch the morning after it’s applied. Another bonus – you only need to use a pea-sized amount when applying it.

La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer is hands down the best moisturizer I’ve ever tried. It leaves your skin hydrated throughout the day without being too oily, all the while repairing your skin barrier.

Say bye-bye to crusty skin with these two products!

Honorable Mention – Anti-Aging Cream

Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair is literally magic in a bottle for keeping fine lines under control and giving you a glow. My entire family (especially my mom) swears by this stuff!

💘 Hanna