Current Skincare Routine: Winter 2020

This is my current skincare routine, with two notable new features: I’ve been using a very strong retinoid every few nights and at the same time I’ve made a real cutback on other actives such as AHAs. I’ve listed it in full below!
Ruth x

AD info: no paid or sponsored content. Contains gifted press samples and affiliate links are marked *. I have worked with La Roche-Posay and The Inkey List in the last twelve months.

Hi everyone, I’m Ruth Crilly and I’ve been blogging about beauty full-time since 2010. My interest in beauty and skincare started along with my modelling career in 2001 and I have been writing and vlogging about tried-and-tested products and my skincare routines for ten years.

For context, I am 39 with normal/combination skin that gets dry when I use retinol and oily before my period. I have two young kids, don’t get enough sleep but also I do’t smoke and rarely drink. I haven’t ever had any surgery/fillers/botox. Yet! Never say never….

My Current Skincare Routine

Morning - Cleanse, Hydrating Serum, Moisturiser

Cleanse Products I’m Using:

Serums I’m Using:

Moisturisers I’m Using:

SPF I’m Using:

PM - Cleanse, Hydrating Serum, Moisturise

As above but no SPF and a proper balm cleanser, I’ve been using:

PM Treat

Every three or four nights (I’m working my way up to every other night!) I use the R-Retinoate below. Sometimes I follow with a bit of moisturiser, often I just use it alone!

With all of these, please start off slowly and apply a moisturiser first if you’re being extra cautious - the moisturiser acts as a sort of buffer. I use the retinol products above straight onto clean skin, but only once every three nights. Once I want to increase the effect I will use every other night but with a hyaluronic acid serum beforehand or even a moisturiser beforehand!

[francoiseeden-hamilton]

Ruth, my mum was commenting on her new moisturiser that was sorting out her dry scaly shins, when I asked to see it, it was hair conditioner 🤣she seldom reads labels, I think she saw the word conditioning and went for it!

[nataliakuzmenko]

Hey there! I have a lil request: it'd be really useful to see any body care videos, I'd like to here about effective body care products somehow the topic is poorly discussed ..

[nathaliez]

hi, if you read the ingredient list of la roche posay B5 line, they almost all containt alcohol, and third ingredient i think..and i believe this isnt good for your skin in the long run..i even contacted the brand to ask them why on earth products designed for sensitive skins contains alcohol, but never got an answer..they are so cautious as not to list the ingredients on their website, which is deceitful in my opinion..like the brand has nice products but this is not a good thing in my opinion..
anyhow always a pleasure to watch you !

[pertelote]

I have found the cheapest (so far) tretinoin in Spain (nad Spanish islands); you can buy it over the counter at their chemists, one tube costs about 14 euro, two tubes are more than enough for a year for the face, neck, chest and hands. Beware, it is powerful and should be used really sparingly in the evening, and don't forget about SPF 50 in the morning. Use it every other day, it might turn out drying the skin.

[elizabethannferrario]

Hi Ruth yes I am using Retin A, and my gosh yes I agree I have just increased the concentration, my neck felt a little sore but that’s settled now, I have been religiously taking care of my skin, I have a series of serums and my gosh the difference in six months it’s amazing ! I love taking care of my skin, yes I love my makeup, and have done a mega declutter and passed on all my high street makeup including skin care my family are enjoying but I have three brands. And my first one just a little tale, my mother took me to the Estée Lauder counter and bought me skin care I was 16 yrs old then when I started nursing it was easier to buy my makeup too, all those years I was a one brand lady but I retired early and I loved the look of Charlotte tilbury so I bought again skin care mixed with my Estée Lauder and then smitten by charlottes makeup so yes I have spent a fortune but my gosh now I can see my makeup, select what I want to wear that day and I have got interested again and enjoying my makeup, I hare to say which I have a lot but I adore my time just selecting and wearing my favourite makeup. I do enjoy your videos thank you regards liz x

[juliagoolia]

Your face definitely looks amazing, and while watching some of your videos this weekend I was thinking how great you looked, even more vibrant than 10 years ago. Now I know why. Having seen the results on you, I think the price of the retinol is worth it. You could spend hundreds a year on “inexpensive “ products from the drugstore and not see these results.

[Justme-okbf]

I am looking for something great to get rid of dark undereye circles (with some puffyness). I mean it looks as if I have bruises under my eyes! Do youhave any suggestions at all? Thank you!!! Great video too (as always!)

[chelsicarter]

Tarte BabaBomb moisturiser is A1! brilliant! No fragrance, airless container, & tons of anti-oxidants.Makes dryish skin feel so comfy.

[efd]

I always get a bit confused when people say they dont like splashing the face or water running down the arms, i just use a wash cloth/flannel and never have that problem 🤔🤔

[aliharrison]

Your skin is absolutely unbelievable, probably better than alot of girls in there teens and twenties.

[lisahide]

I love Medik8 Crystal 10 which I used for a while but I’m now on Tretinoin 0.05%! Love your skincare videos 😘 xx

[paulachristie]

I use Tretinoin 0.05 and am happy with the results. Here in the US Tretinoin is by prescription only and my insurance doesn’t cover it, but it is still less expensive than what you are using. I just got a 45 gram tube for $66.0O which will last me about 3.5 months using it every night.

[maureenbouey]

I was pleased to see the B.S. carrot cream as that's what I've been using and I like it better than almost anything I've used in years!

[clareadams]

It seems alot of money when you can buy tretinoin for a fraction of the price which actually has proven results x

[susanmcf]

I like Paula's Choice 1% retinol booster. I use it nightly mixed with moisturizer.

[Jessica-jryt]

There's alot of essential oils in that Medik8! Fragrance and essential oils are 2 things I try to avoid as much as possible in my skincare.

[mireiaxicola]

Hi Ruth! It is so grate you are talking about this Medik8 product. I am using the Crystal Retinal 3 every night now. But I’m going to try this one next. Do you put any other product after the retinol or is that your last step? Thanks!

[lburgess]

Love your vlog. Could you consider commenting very briefly on the *scent* of your reviewed products? Presence/absence, and how strong and persistent? I'm not allergic, but can't stand strong scent lingering on my face. I can't use Chanel products or cosmetics, for example, because they are so heavily scented.
I also can't stand splashing first thing in the morning.

[maireaddyqol]

I had Medik8 3TR intensive from a beauty box and used exactly as per instructions (working up to nightly over 3 weeks) it lasted exactly 5 months. Not certain it was better than LRP’s retinol which I think is brilliant and made a visible difference. About to start CeraVe’s.

[dawnmarie]

Thank you for this - i do enjoy watching your videos. I’m currently using medik8, a low strength for my sensitive skin.
ps i’d love to know what nail polish you have on ? It looks very pretty on you. 😊