Glass Skin, Zero Retinol: My 7‑Minute Routine

aka the exact lineup my esthetician keeps raving about

✋ Wait — no retinol?

Nope. I’ve actually never used retinol — not because I don’t believe in it (it is the holy grail), but because… timing.
When I first learned about retinol’s near‑mystical powers, I was already pregnant with my first. Then I was nursing. Then I was pregnant again. And now I’m still nursing.
So instead, I’ve focused on gentler actives — peptides, azelaic acid, and growth factors — that still deliver visible results.

🌙 Nighttime Routine

I double‑cleanse every evening: first with micellar water to gently remove makeup and city grit, and then a rotating cast of cleansers (still searching for “the one” — open to recommendations!).

Then I layer on the real heavy lifters:

1. Allies of Skin Multi Peptides & GF Advanced Lifting Serum
   A powerhouse blend of peptides and growth factors that hydrates, smooths, and visibly firms. I rotate this in a few nights a week. And listen — my esthetician regularly comments on my “glass skin,” so who am I to argue?

2. SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
   On alternate nights, I reach for this clinical‑grade serum. It’s a dermatologist favorite, and though it’s definitely a splurge, I see results in texture and tone, especially around the eyes and cheeks.

3. Prescribed 15 % Azelaic Acid
   Originally prescribed when I was navigating some redness (not officially rosacea), I’ve kept this in my lineup for its calming, brightening, and anti‑aging benefits. On nights I’m skipping actives, this is what I reach for.

4. Kiehl’s Super Multi‑Corrective Cream
   Rich, reliable, and deeply moisturizing. I use this on both face and neck to lock everything in and wake up feeling hydrated instead of tight.

5. OLEHENRIKSEN Hydrabarrier Nourishing Peptide Face Oil
   This is my final layer, especially on nights when my skin feels like it needs extra support. It’s cushiony, comforting, and leaves my skin glowing by morning — like I got a full eight hours (even when I didn’t).

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☀️ Morning Routine

Even on the mornings I’m gently woken up by a 3‑year‑old whisper‑screaming in my ear or a baby tossing their pacifier at me from the crib… you will not catch me skipping vitamin C or SPF. Some habits are sacred.

1. Dr. Loretta Anti‑Aging Repair Serum
   Brightens, evens out tone, and sits beautifully under everything. Bonus: it’s developed by a female dermatologist and family‑owned — a detail I love.

2. Retrouvé Nutrient Face Serum (alternate)
   Highly recommended by my esthetician, and it’s undeniably nutrient‑rich. But personally? I don’t love the texture. It’s in rotation, but I gravitate back to Dr. Loretta.

3. Moisturizer: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane
   Simple, effective, never greasy. It’s the one I reach for daily — especially compared to the “luxury” cream below.

4. The Cream by Augustinus Bader
   I wanted to be obsessed. It’s beautifully packaged, incredibly hyped, and very expensive. But the results? Not life‑changing. I’d honestly rather repurchase the Kiehl’s.
   (Maybe the Rich Cream is worth the buzz — this one, not so much.)

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5. SPF: ISDIN Actinica Lotion
   If there’s one thing I love, it’s a product that promises to undo my past sun‑sins while preventing brand‑new ones. This SPF not only shields me from UV rays but also helps repair existing damage — sunscreen and a time machine in one tidy pump.

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🧴 Why This Lineup Works

• I rotate actives — peptides, growth factors, azelaic — so my skin keeps responding without irritation.

• I keep hydration consistent (cream + oil at night, lightweight cream by day).

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FYI: None of the links below are affiliate—just sharing the exact products I use.

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Got questions, tips, or favorite cleansers? Hit reply — I’d be happy to connect!