
I am frequently asked, “What do you use on your skin?” I am never sure exactly how to answer this question because, while I have a list of products I use regularly, I don’t think a simple product recommendation provides the most helpful or beneficial answer.
If I tell you I use Product X, you might assume that Product X is why my skin looks nice. But that assumption is somewhat flawed. A particular product may be part of the reason my skin looks nice, but it’s not even close to the whole picture.
The truth is, I inherited my skin. Apart from aging, my skin is naturally low-maintenance. The products I use did not give me my good skin. DNA did. It doesn’t hurt that I hate the sun, drink a lot of water, and yes, consistently take care of my skin.
Genetics, hydration, sun exposure, rest, nutrition, and stress all contribute to how our skin looks. And yes, part of that equation comes from the products we use, but I would be remiss to say I have pretty skin because of a product.
We are all born with skin we inherited from our parents and grandparents, and there is not much we can do to alter genetics. However, I strongly believe in taking the best care possible of the skin you’ve been given, and that is where I want to begin this conversation.
I think the secret to skincare is not about the products. I think the secret to skincare is about the process. What you use matters less than why you are using it and in what particular order you layer different steps and products.
We live in a world full of products, but oddly enough this doesn’t make skincare easier. It makes it more confusing and overwhelming. All the products sound so enticing. How do we know which ones to try? How do we determine what we need?
Today I hope to provide some clarity by sharing my skincare process. This process is designed to reduce the confusion and overwhelm that can come when thinking about how and why you care for your skin. My Skincare Process is outlined in a graphic below which you can also print out for reference.

You will notice that the process begins at night. This is because I believe evening skin care is the most important place to start.
You will also notice a few different shapes and colors. The steps in ovals (Treat and Refresh) are optional. The darker rectangle is meant to remind you that if you are going to splurge in any one area, spend money on your evening moisturizer. It sits on your face for the longest and has the potential to deliver meaningful moisture overnight.
The great news about my skincare process is that it allows you the freedom to customize the process according to your specific skin type and the specific skin issue you want to treat.
If all of this sounds interesting to you, please check out the video below! The video is about twenty minutes long and will show you what products I use, but more importantly, why I use them. You will see an example of each step in the process so that you can design your own routine focused on your specific skin and skincare needs.
Print out the guide, press play on the video, and let’s walk through all of the skincare details together!
I love everything you write and share… and just want to say that I especially love that your videos aren’t short. In a world of Tik Tok (which I refuse to look at) and so much immediacy, I greatly appreciate that your content shows reality. Thanks for all you share <3
Brandie, what a thoughtful observation. I know there is a time and place for quick content, but I do enjoy showing things in real-time as a way to normalize reality and prevent unhelpful comparisons. Thank you for watching!