It’s been awhile since I shared an update on my full morning anti-aging skincare routine. And since it’s almost always my number one question and request, it seemed like a good time to finally get this out!

If you’ve read my last morning skincare routine post there’s a lot of products below that you’ll recognize, some I’m not longer using that you won’t see there, and some great new additions. At night I tend to treat my skin a bit more with masks, facial steaming, a longer list of products, and more.

But for the morning I’ve really tried to hone in on what’s most important and most effective so that I don’t have to spend much time on it. And a lot of that has to do with buying powerful medical grade products that are potent and backed by proven science so I know (and you’ll know) they’ll do what they say they’re going to do!

So if you’re wondering what products I use, what products I recommend you use, what order you should be doing things in your routine, and more, here is my current morning anti-aging skincare routine!

My Morning Anti-Aging Skincare Routine

Where I Buy My Skincare

The number one place I buy my skin care is from Dermstore. Unlike places like Sephora and Nordstrom, they carry medical grade products from lines like SkinCeuticals. They're also an authorized reseller of those brands, meaning you know 100% that the products are authentic when buying from them (unlike many other places). They also have a great rewards program and subscription program where you can have your favorite items auto-ship at a frequency of your choosing. Depending on the brand, you often also get a discount when you subscribe! Click here to shop.

Skinstore is along the same lines, in that it’s an authorized reseller of my favorite brands. It also has a slightly different selection than Dermstore. Click here to shop.

Glowbiotics is a medical grade probiotic skincare line that I use countless products from. Their products are available at Dermstore and Skinstore, but because I have a discount code with them I shop via their site directly. And you should too because code “CHRISTIE” will get you 20% off anything on their site at any time! Click here to shop.

If you’ve read my skincare routine from three years ago, you’ll remember that I used a lot of Korean products from Soko Glam. I still love a lot of products from there, but during the pandemic I stripped down my routine as much as possible to just the essentials (mainly medical grade products). I still do shop there though, just not as much as before, and definitely recommend it depending on what you’re in the market for. Click here to shop.

Step One: Cleanse

The first thing I do to my skin every morning is cleanse it! Double cleanse it, actually. Double cleansing involves first cleansing your skin with an oil-based cleanser, followed by a second cleanse with a water-based cleanser. Oil cleansing is important because it removes makeup, sebum, SPF, pollution, etc. The second cleanse using a water-based cleanser removes the water-based residue such as sweat and dirt.

If you want to get really in depth on cleansing, why it's so important to do correctly, how to even do it correctly, why makeup wipes are terrible for you, and more, click here for my dedicated blog post on my cleansing routine!

One thing I do want to mention here is that you absolutely do need to cleanse your skin in the morning. I see women in Facebook groups constantly saying they don't cleanse in the morning because it makes their skin super dry. If that is happening to you, you are cleansing wrong! With the right cleanser your skin will not be dry.

I always cleanse my skin in the morning for two reasons. First, because the nighttime products I use at night need to be fully removed. They are nighttime products for a reason! Do not walk around in the sunshine with retinol residue on your face, trust me. Second, because I use expensive skincare products and I want to be sure they absorb into my skin to the best of their ability. Because of this, I need to remove anything and everything sitting on my face when I wake up (products, sweat, oil, etc.) in order to really get my money's worth with the products I'm about to apply. I very highly recommend cleansing your skin in the morning.

The oil cleanser I use is the Banila Co. Clean it Zero Cleansing Balm, which is actually a solid balm that melts into the most luxurious oil once it comes into contact with your skin. If you're used to makeup wipes or another form of cleanser that leaves your skin feeling dry and tight after cleansing, you will be absolutely floored by this. I have incredibly dry skin yet this leaves my skin feeling nourished, while also incredibly clean!

The Banila Co. Clean it Zero Cleansing Balm comes in a few different options. Since I have dry skin I use the Nourishing one, which is packed with hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Royal Jelly, Hot Springs Water, and active botanicals. Truly such a treat - I cannot recommend it enough. It's also only $19 and lasts forever!

Click here to buy it at Ulta or here to buy it at Soko Glam.

The water-based cleanser I use and recommend is Glowbiotics' Probiotic Revitalizing Cleanser. I initially started using it when I was having some bad breakouts. It is perfect for all skin types and is not specifically an acne product (that’s just an added bonus!). It removes impurities without stripping the skin, leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth, adds radiance, firms, brightens, and hydrates! It contains prebiotics, probiotics, and a bunch of other powerful ingredients like smart peptide 189 (anti-aging), vitamin E, lauric acid (antimicrobial, helps retain moisture), and aloe vera (soothes, calms inflammation).⁠

Click here to get yours and don't forget to use code "CHRISTIE" for 20% off.

Step Two: Exfoliate (as needed)

The second step in my morning skincare routine is exfoliating. Exfoliating is incredibly important because if you are not properly exfoliated your skincare will not absorb.

Exfoliants come in two forms: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants are scrubs that you can physically feel on your skin using some kind of gritty texture to remove dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliants are ones that you can’t physically feel but instead use things like acids to exfoliate chemically. Both are great — it’s more a matter of personal preference.

I love a good physical exfoliant because almost nothing feels better to me than scrubbing the hell out of my skin. You gotta be careful what you use though, especially on your face, since you can do a lot of damage with the wrong product (hello, St. Ives apricot scrub).

SkinCeuticals' Micro-Exfoliating Scrub is the physical exfoliant I always have on hand. It's gentle enough for everyday use, hydrating (something I don't find in most physical exfoliants), smoothing (safely - this is key), and texture improving. Despite being fairly mild, it does a great job scrubbing dead skin away. It even has an approachable price point at just $31.

Click here to buy at Skinstore and here to buy at Dermstore.

When I would prefer a chemical exfoliant, I use the Glowbiotics Probiotic Instant Resurfacing Pads. I'm a huge fan of peel pads/resurfacing pads/brightening pads/any kind of exfoliant pads and have been using them consistently for at least 5 years. These have been my favorite since discovering them. They're ideal for all skin types and use what they call a "one of a kind pH balanced formula" of probiotics and antioxidant protection. They provide instant radiance, revealing fewer fine lines, wrinkles, pores, and blemishes, balance the good vs. bad bacteria on the skin, decrease pigmentation, and gently exfoliate.⁠

Most (all?) of the others I've tried are very drying, to the point that I can't even use them in the morning because I can only survive them with the help of a heavy night cream. These Glowbiotics ones have lots of hydrating ingredients which seem to help balance out any potentially drying effects. Their balancing complex (probiotic, prebiotic, antioxidant) also helps protect against other irritations by reducing inflammation and redness, acting as a protective shield, etc. so I get more radiant skin without any side effects.⁠

They’re also so reasonably priced at $49 for 45 pads. With my discount code they're only $39 for 45!! The Dr. Dennis Gross ones I use, for comparison sake, are $88 for 30. And Dr. Dennis Gross isn't sold in med spas/skincare clinics/etc. so I think we know which are better!

Click here for more information and to purchase (don’t forget code “CHRISTIE”).

Step Three: SkinCeuticals B5 Gel

Next I use SkinCeuticals' B5 Gel. It is a hydrating serum that deeply replenishes moisture and restores radiance. It is oil free so it won’t clog pores, making it ideal for acne prone skin. You can use it on its own or along side a daily moisturizer. It gives my skin an instant hydration boost that I love.

Click here to buy at Skinstore and here to buy at Dermstore.

Step Four: Tools

Next it's time for tools! There are three I use: the NuFACE FIX Line Smoothing Device, and Lightstim for Wrinkles and Acne. If I'm totally honest, though, I don't use these everyday. If I had the time and energy I absolutely would, and absolutely should, but daily I do not. Instead I just use them as often as possible.

The NuFACE FIX Line Smoothing Device is a device that uses microcurrents to target fine lines and wrinkles. You use it each morning to energize and invigorate your skin. It provides instant results and my mom and I both love it! You can even use it to plump your lips which, trust me, really works. I was kind of amazed.

Keep in mind the results are instant but temporary, i.e. it's not going to permanently plump your lips (unfortunately).

Click here to buy it at Dermstore, here for Sephora, and here for Ulta.

LightStim is my LED light therapy device of choice. LED lights can be used for a variety of things like treating acne, reducing inflammation, anti-aging, wound healing, increasing blood circulation, and more. I have both the LightStim for Wrinkles and LightStim for Acne.

Each device uses different wavelengths (colors) of light, and each color provides its own unique therapeutic benefits. Blue LED light, used in LightStim for Acne, can kill acne-causing bacteria beneath the skin and make oil glands less active, helping to clear up breakouts. LightStim for Acne also uses red LED lights. Red LED light can stimulate collagen, resulting in a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles and smoother, more plump skin. It also reduces inflammation and improves circulation. LightStim for Wrinkles doesn’t just use red LED lights, but they actually took NASA’s LED technology up a notch to simultaneously emit 72 LEDs of Amber, Light Red, Dark Red, and Infrared. Cause they’re fancier than NASA… no big deal.

Not all LED lights are created equal and LightStim is the only device I recommend. It’s professional strength (if you’ve been in a med spa, skincare clinic, cosmetic derm, etc. and had an LED light used on you there’s a high chance it was LightStim), FDA cleared, and clinically proven. As their FAQ page says: it’s not a matter of *if* it’s going to work but how long it’s going to take. And you know I love things backed by proven science!!

LEDs are painless and good for all skin types. LightStim devices use high-end LEDs that never need to be replaced. There’s no maintenance, battery replacement (it plugs into an outlet) — nothing.

The one and only reason not to invest in a LightStim is if you can’t commit to using it consistently. You’re supposed to ideally use them 5-7 days per week, for 3 minutes on each area. I actually use mine most often at night while watching tv on my couch, but also sometimes in the morning if I have the time!

Click here to get Lightstim® for Wrinkles and here for Lightstim® for Acne.

skincare routine Instagram Post.png — Step Five: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

Step Five: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

Next up, my number one skincare product of all time: SkinCeuticals' C E Ferulic! Vitamin C, often referred to as the holy grail of skincare ingredients, is one of the most powerful and effective antioxidants in existence. Having a vitamin C serum in your routine is an absolute non-negotiable, and it's important to understand that not all vitamin C serums are created equal.

My love for vitamin C and the science behind it runs so deep that I have a separate post where I go into great detail about what it is, what it does, and why it is so important. If you haven't yet read that, you absolutely must: click here for The 3 Most Important Skincare Ingredients (And Why). If you are using a non-SkinCeuticals vitamin C serum, you definitely need to read it.

Personally I use the creme de la creme of vitamin C serums, C E Ferulic from SkinCeuticals! I have been using it religiously for at least five years and it is the product that has had the largest impact on my skin.

Don’t just take my word for it though. It’s a cult favorite amongst the entire beauty community, has won tons of awards, is the number one vitamin C seller on Dermstore, and is backed by proven science. I cannot stress that enough. There is no doubt this product is effective because it is backed by actual proof which means you will not be wasting your money.

When it comes to anti-aging, there is nothing better! It is pricy but it lasts a very long time and makes a monumental difference.

Click here to buy at Skinstore and here to buy at Dermstore.

If you have oily skin, you might want to check out their other best selling vitamin C serum, Phloretin C. F. Click here to buy at Skinstore and here to buy at Dermstore.

Important note: buying these products from an authorized reseller is INCREDIBLY important. Do not buy this on Amazon or anywhere else that is not an authorized reseller. Counterfeit formulas not only often have diluted formulas but they can be dangerous to your health. No joke - this woman fell into a coma after using a tainted wrinkle cream. All of the products I have linked are from verified authorized resellers.

Step Six: Eye Cream

The next step in my routine is one that I hope doesn’t need much of an explanation — eye cream! Eye creams help to improve the appearance of all things eye related (crow’s feet, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness, etc.). Some people think they are unnecessary, while I've personally found two that make a noticeable improvement. To each their own!

The first one I use and like is SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex. It is specifically designed to fight the appearance of crow’s feet, dark circles, and puffiness, issues that almost all of us deal with! It contains “optical diffusers” which work to diffuse light and immediately improve tired, dull-looking eyes. The cream consistency is very silky and literally melts into your skin upon application — I love it so much!

Click here to buy at Skinstore and here to buy at Dermstore.

When I feel like I need something thicker and more intense, whether it's winter or I'm just feeling extra dry, I use the Neocutis Lumiere Eye Cream. I originally bought it after seeing it on Dermstore’s list of products they can’t keep in stock. They also say it is their number one selling eye cream.

The Lumiere Eye Cream has growth factors to boost the skin’s ability to repair and revitalize, increase firmness, and reduce wrinkles, plus hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate. I have super dry skin and I think I find this to be even more hydrating than SkinCeuticals' A.G.E. Eye Complex! Definitely worth a try, especially if you are also very dry. It does say it’s ideal for all skin types though, so it’s not exclusive to dry skin!

Click here to buy it from Dermstore and here from Skinstore.

Step Seven: Glowbiotics Hydraglow Oil

Next up I moisturize with Glowbiotics Probiotic Hydraglow Oil. Hydraglow Cream Oil is a treatment designed to strengthen, hydrate, and rebuild the skin with something they call their Balancing Complex (translation: a fancy combo of probiotics, prebiotics, and antioxidants). It uses Kakadu Plum (a very potent form of vitamin C from Australia) to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while brightening and improving skin tone.

And, my favorite part, it has a blend of light reflecting minerals to give you an illuminating healthy glow. Not in a sparkly, glittery way but in a glowy, healthy, youthful, natural way.

It is said to help moisturize, calm redness prone skin, and support a healthy skin barrier, and I do really notice all of the above. My skin is very redness prone which is why I love the calming nature of Glowbiotics’ products and is also why I rarely skip this product in my morning routine!

Click here for more information and to purchase.

Step Eight: Sunscreen

Last but absolutely not least, sunscreen. You must wear suncreen every single day, no exceptions! It is one of the three most important skincare products — click here to read my post about that if you haven't already. Don’t understand why you must wear it daily? Read the post. Don’t understand why your makeup that contains SPF isn’t enough? Read the post.

I actually need to do a totally separate post solely dedicated to all of the sunscreens I recommend because there are a lot. Even for just my face there are three different ones I consistently purchase and use on rotation, each serving a slightly different purpose. All of which I highly recommend, depending on what you're looking for!

When I want something incredibly hydrating and clear (no tint, no white residue), I use EltaMD UV Clear. It’s the most-loved sunscreen at Dermstore, so much so that they have an entire blog post about it being the number one item in sun care. It’s also on their list of 9 products that constantly sell out (along with my ride-or-die C. E. Ferulic), so click here to check availability and try to get your hands on it!

When I want something incredibly hydrating but tinted and glowy, I use Colorescience Sunforgettable Bronzing Face Shield in Glow. It's a newer discovery of mine and I am absolutely obsessed. If you like looking fresh and glowy, definitely pick this up! It looks beautiful under makeup or on its own if you want to look like a radiant goddess. Click here for more info and to get yours.

When I want something light and tinted but not hydrating, I use SkinCeuticals’ Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50. It is incredibly lightweight and has what they call a universal tint to enhance your skin tone and boost radiance. It’s also incredibly reasonably priced, especially for a SkinCeuticals product! This isn't specifically a "sport" sunscreen, but it's one I often apply before and after working out because it's lightly mattifying. It's great on its own and doesn't need a thing over it! Click here to buy at Skinstore and here to buy at Dermstore.

If I’m in a Hurry…

Overwhelmed by the above list? Wondering what is and isn't "required"? I got you covered! When I'm in a rush I cut down the above routine to three simple steps: