Ask Petite Chou - Skincare routine

Hi MPC,

Just a simple question…I was wondering what your skincare routine is like right now. Do you use everything from the same skincare line? How much do you spend on the products?

xoxo,
Julie

I’d like to simplify my skincare routine for the summer ’cause it’s hot and uncomfortable, my face doesn’t like having too much stuff on it. Easier said than done ’cause you can probably tell I like trying all kinds of beauty products. I don’t keep everything I use from the same line. I mix and match. For cleansers I use drugstore brands and I’ll splurge on serums and moisturizers. I don’t believe in spending too much money on them because whatever the high-tech precious ingredients included in the cleanser will just be washed down the drainer. I only need a good gentle cleanser to wash the grime and dirt off my skin and not dry out my skin. Right now, I’m alternating between two cleansers for night and morning.

Neutrogena One Step Gentle Cleanser $7.49, for the night ’cause it really takes off all my makeup and cleanses in one shot. I’m lazy, I don’t want to use a makeup remover. I know we are supposed to. I actually got lectured by my friend T. who is meticulous about removing makeup, she actually uses three separate ones for face, lips and eyes!

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, Normal to Oily Skin $11.99, for the morning since my face is not that dirty and only needs an extra gentle cleanser. The original Cetaphil formula is great for dry and sensitive skin.

I’m just around running out of my Kose Medicated Sekkisei ($25) (which is fantastic at brightening the skin tone), this week I’ll be switching back to my old-time favorite toner Biotherm Biosource Softening Toner ($35), it’s actually aimed at dry skin, but I find it works great on my oily skin too. It’s gentle (alcohol-free) and refreshing, I think it can probably work on all kinds of skin types.

I’m obsessed with anti-aging products. I have these in rotation. For daytime, I only use one of them (sometimes I even skip it and go straight to sunscreen when my skin’s oilier than usual). At night I layer them.

philosophy booster serum treatment for aging skin $60. I just got this one and I’m loving it. The super lightweight serum texture is great for warm weather and it’s very moisturizing, I can go without another moisturizer sometimes after putting it on. It has a ton of peptides and anti-oxidants.

Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum, Fragrance Free $19.47 $17.52. I’m pretty I gushed about this Olay serum before. It works great and it’s not expensive

Yves Rocher Optimizing Moisturizer Day 1st Lines $28 $14. Has lots of botanical anti-oxidants. I’m using this as eye cream actually ’cause it’s pretty rich, my oily t-zone definitely doesn’t need it, but it’s just perfect for around the eyes.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Oil-Free Acne Stress Control, 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment $7.99 $5.99. I use this baby every other day at night layered under other moisturizers ’cause my skin is blemish-prone. This one has BHA, it really exfoliates down into the pores making my skin really smooth and glowy, no kidding. For such little money, it’s really one of the best products I have.

And of course it’s very very important to me that I wear sunscreen everyday. Long time readers probably know I’m a die-hard Shiseido sunscreen fan. This Shiseido Extra Smooth Sun Protection Lotion SPF 34 PA++ ($34.50) is what I’m using. I always have it even if I switch to other sunscreens. Last time I stopped by a duty-free shop, I bought three bottles just so I wouldn’t run out.

Clarins has some of the best sun care products too. On the days that I don’t need heavy-duty sun protection, this anti-aging non-oily Clarins HydraQuench Lotion SPF 15 ($48) lets me skip all the other steps and go straight from toner to sunscreen.

Phew, there you have it. Ask me again in a few months, I’ll probably have a different routine, which reminds me I need to spring clean my bathroom to get rid of old stuff that I don’t like and only takes up more space

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