Skincare Routine Order for my Skin Type and Concerns

I have been using my Paula’s Choice Skincare products since we launched on the internet in 1995! In that amount of time, I’ve formulated over 100 products (and counting) for Paula’s Choice Skincare, concentrating on specific combinations of ingredients for every skin type and skincare concern. We are passionately dedicated to the research and have continually improved our formulations based on the facts as we know beauty begins with the truth!

Even though I am proud of all my Paula’s Choice products, I don’t use all of them as not every formula or texture is suitable for my skin type. For example, I almost always prefer water-light consistencies instead of using lotions or creams. My potent but lightweight formulations are the Paula’s Choice products I select from.

We may have developed many products for my skin type and skin concerns. However, I don't need to use every single one to get the solutions I want. I have my favourites that work perfectly for me and give me the best results possible. I sometimes experiment with something new we’ve developed, and I do sometimes add that to my routine but using everything is not the goal for you or me.

Just as I have found the combination of products that work brilliantly for me, I know you’ll find the ones that work brilliantly for you based on your skin type, skincare concerns, and personal preference (and my Client Services Team is always there to help answer your questions).

Here is my current skincare routine that I’ve chosen to improve my tricky combination of skincare needs. I have oily to combination skin, blemish-prone skin, clogged/enlarged pores, sun damage, brown spots and facial pigmentation, dehydration, and dry skin around my eyes. Yes, those are a lot of issues, but many people struggle with more than one skin concern, just as I do. Thankfully, I know my products live up to their claims, and my skin reflects that guarantee. 

If you can relate to my skin type or skin concerns, you can try to follow my skincare routine and find out if it would work best for you as well. 

Morning Skincare Routine 

The first step in my morning skincare routine is to use my cleanser with a soft washcloth. As dirt and bacteria have accumulated throughout the night, it's best first to cleanse the impurities to start the day with clean and fresh skin. Then the products I follow up with are applied from the lightest, most liquid texture to the more lotion or creamy texture (that’s a basic rule of skincare application for everyone). 

In the morning, I use SKIN BALANCING Oil-Reducing Cleanser, followed by SKIN BALANCING Pore-Reducing Toner, which has a watery consistency that works perfectly for my skin type.

Next, I apply the fluid but concentrated CLINICAL Niacinamide 20% Treatment.

After that, I apply a thin layer of RESIST Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Hyaluronic Acid, which has a thicker but still fluid consistency. This step defends my skin from the visible effects of pollution and environmental damage—and works well under my makeup.

Next up is my eye area, where I apply my longtime favourite, Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream. I love its texture for use during the day under my makeup. It diminishes my fine lines and helps fix under eye wrinkles, as well as keeps the skin around my eyes feeling soft and hydrated. 

Last but not least, my moisturizer with sunscreen is RESIST Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defence SPF 30. Everyone who knows me knows I would NEVER leave the house without wearing sunscreen for my face with SPF 30 (or greater) on any part of my body and face that might see daylight because spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early signs of skin aging caused by the sun. I also wear a foundation with sunscreen over it to have extra protection. My RESIST Super-Light Wrinkle Defence SPF 30 offers excellent protection and can feel wonderful even over problem skin like mine.

Nighttime Skincare Routine

In the evening, I start with our Gentle Touch Makeup Remover, which is perfect for removing my tenacious waterproof eyeliner and long-wearing lipstick. Leaving eyeliner on may cause eye irritation or infection, as well as clogged pores on the skin around the lip area for lipsticks. 

I follow that with a SKIN BALANCING Oil-Reducing Cleanser, applied with a soft washcloth to be sure all my foundation is removed to prevent oil and dirt build-up, which could lead to clogged pores, acne breakouts, and blemishes. 

Next, I smooth on the fluid SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, which exquisitely improves my skin texture, unclogs pores, minimises bumps and breakouts, and increases hydration. 

During those times I’m dealing with stubborn bumps and clogged pores, I reach for my secret weapon, RESIST BHA 9 (SALICYLIC ACID), a leave-on, a time-released exfoliant that works wonders on stubborn imperfections—often overnight! You won’t believe how amazingly well this works.

Once or twice a week, I apply the fluid 1% Retinol Booster to significantly improve wrinkles and other visible signs of ageing. Retinol is one of my favourite skincare heroes, but I don’t apply it daily due to my own sensitivity to vitamin A. You may consider using retinol once a week before increasing your usage as your skin builds up tolerance.

Every other night I apply my Peptide Booster, and on the other nights, my DEFENSE Antioxidant Pore Purifier. That combination has caused a significant improvement in my skin’s appearance that even surprised me! It helps revitalise my skin and gives me that fresh and youthful glow. 

Instead of the Moisture Boost Treatment Cream I use in my morning routine, at night, I use my RESIST Anti-Aging Eye Cream. This rich cream  is dabbed on; it’s not meant to be massaged into the skin, but instead just left on to slowly absorb into the skin and repair and rejuvenate  itself while you sleep. I love seeing the results the next morning.

Last, I apply my very thick, lusciously emollient Lip  & Body Treatment Balm, slathered on my lips and any stubborn dry spots, such as elbows and around the cuticles. I haven’t had to deal with dry, chapped lips since adding this step to my nightly routine. The following day, I wake up with my skin feeling soft and smooth, with no oily or greasy feeling. This treatment balm has definitely become one of my favourite skincare products to date.

If at First You Don’t Succeed…

Don’t worry, it also took some experimenting for me to figure out what worked best for my complicated, temperamental skin. Regardless of your skincare needs, it can take experimenting to find the right mix of products to help you achieve the best skin of your life. 

Don’t be concerned about trying a variety of products with varying frequencies of application to see how your skin responds, just as I did. Our Client Services Team can help you put together your own routine-one that lets you love the skin you see in the mirror! 

You will never know the perfect skincare product for you unless you research, try them out, and finally, find which skincare products deliver the best results. It is a process, but it is certainly worth it. 

Hopefully, my skincare routine has given you some knowledge on what products may work best for your skin type and  skin concerns.

Enhance your skincare routine by shopping the best selling Paula's Choice skincare products for  maximum results.