Sarah's Routine

am ☀

pm ⏾

01. Cleanse

Balea MED Ultra Sensitive Wash Gel

I like to use a gentle cleanser in the morning, even though you technically don't need to cleanse in the am unless you feel very greasy or sweaty, it is fine to skip cleanser to keep the barrier calm.

When you do cleanse, keep it gentle and non-stripping. Since I am close to the German border I can easily get to a dm, I love their brand Balea for affordable skin and haircare. This Balea MED wash gel is boring in the best way, sensitive-skin friendly, and not trying to do too much.

02. Rose Water Spray

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater

Mist after cleansing or as the first step if skipping cleanser. Damp skin makes the next watery layers spread more evenly, and the ritual part matters too: it makes the routine feel less like homework.

03. Treatment Serum

Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum

NuFace recommends using a treatment serum before applying the activating gel, and their own peptide booster contains copper gluconate. I apply three drops of this all over my face and let it dry before moving on.

Read my full review of how this serum earned a place alongside my NuFACE here.

04. Microcurrent

NuFACE Mini+

Use NuFACE for about five minutes with NuFACE Hydrating Aqua Gel Activator or another conductive gel. The gel matters because microcurrent needs slip and conductivity; do not try to drag the device over dry skin.

I like this step in the morning because the instant lifted look is wasted on a pillow. If I'm in a hurry, this is one of the steps I skip.

Read my full rave review on this product here.

05. Vitamin C

BasicLab Vitamin C

This is a Polish brand that I'm trying out for the first time with this Vitamin C serum. Of course there are plenty of alternatives on the market, at various price ranges and stabilities. I will have to do a whole blog post on Vitamin C serums to explain, but in a nutshell, don't go for the cheapest option and make sure you keep it in a cool dark place. I keep this one in the fridge.

Vitamin C is the brightening and an antioxidant step in the morning routine.

Read my full positive review of this product here.

06. Azelaic Acid

ACM Azéane Cream 15% Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is one of those quiet workhorse ingredients. I use this one from France at 15%, but there are easier to get alternatives in the US at lower concentrations like The INKEY List SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Serum Redness Relief Solution. In Poland they have a 20% OTC that I want to try once I'm finished with my tube of Azéane.

Use as the pigment, redness, and texture-support step after vitamin C if your skin is tolerating the combination. If skin feels reactive, use this less often or separate it from other actives. Consistency matters more than forcing it every single morning.

Read my full review on this product here.

07. Face Oil & Gua Sha

tarte Maracuja Oil

Use a face oil for slip, then gua sha with gentle upward and outward strokes. There are many gua sha shapes, but I like this kind of square shape best vs the triangle. I've linked the tarte Maracuja oil but really I have a proprietary blend that I'll have to write a post about soon.

This step belongs before SPF. Oil after sunscreen can disturb the protective film, so finish any massage before moving on to the final sunscreen layer.

08. SPF Eye Cream

Supergoop Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40

Tap around the eye area before face SPF. Many sunscreens sting around the eyes, but this one does not so this keeps the eye area protected without making the whole morning miserable.

Read my full glowing review on this product here.

09. SPF

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Anti-Dark Spots Fluid SPF50+

SPF is always last. Do not layer oil, moisturizer, or gua sha on top of this because it can interfere with the sunscreen film. If you can only do one thing in the morning, it is sunscreen. This is the non-negotiable step for dark spots, sun damage, and keeping the rest of the routine worth doing.

I am currently looking to replace my beloved Josie Maran SPF that was discontinued. Sadly, this one is not a good replacement.

Read my full critical review on this product here.

10. Lip Balm

Försvarets Hudsalva Original

I have always had a love/hate relationship with lip balm, my lips seemed addicted to it and yet still irritated. Then I discovered beef tallow balm, Hudsalva is great because it avoids the beeswax and petrolatum feel that can make lips angry instead of comfortable. I read an interview with Alicia Vikander who swears by it so I had to try it. It is sold at a pharmacy in Sweden and at Boots in the UK according to her.

I used to be able to find it on Amazon, but once that became unreliable I found this US-based option by Vintage Tradition.