I never used to value skincare. I was always told that you’re supposed to have a regular skincare routine, whether you struggle with acne or not, and I was told that for every day you don’t wash your face you add a few days onto it. Still — I didn’t care enough to make it a priority. It wasn’t until I got engaged that I started to really dig deep into finding a skincare routine, I wanted glowing skin for my wedding. I wasn’t able to find anything that worked for me but after I got married and went off of birth control my skin started to really freak out and I started to dig deeper into finding a good skincare routine.

I had tried multiple brands — big name and small business — but nothing really seemed to make my skin look or feel different. When MONAT launched skincare in 2019 I was skeptical, excited — yes, but still skeptical. What if this doesn’t work? What if it’s not what I’m looking for? What if it isn’t any better than anything else I’ve tried? I had already tried other brands and I trusted MONAT so I figured, what’s the harm in giving it a shot?

It exceeded all expectations. I wanted to like it but I never expected to love it. Immediately after my first wash, I could feel the difference in my skin and after looking at old photos, I can see the difference now too.

My morning skincare routine:

1. Be Gentle Creamy Cleanser (for dry and/or sensitive skin)

This cleanser isn’t like other cleansers that I had tried before, it feels more like a lotion cleanser (explains the term creamy cleanser). It doesn’t foam up as much but I can definitely tell it cleans my skin. This targets dry and sensitive skin, skin that feels tight and is easily irritated, skin craving a soothing and calming daily refresher, dull-looking skin that is rough to the touch, and age control. I use about a pea size and cleanse twice each morning — yes, twice. If you don’t have dry skin, there’s also a cleanser for normal-combination skin and a cleanser for oily skin and whichever one is right for you would be your first step.

2. Skin Revitalizing Essence (for all skin types)

This was a step that I hadn’t ever heard of. I knew what a toner was but an essence? What was that? After some research, I learned that it’s a product that’s been used in Korean skincare for some time now while American skincare is just dipping its toes in. It has a ton of benefits. It targets dull, lackluster complexion, large, open pores, hydration, fine lines, wrinkles, texture, and age control. It preps your skin to absorb the serums and moisturizers you’re about to use. I apply a few drops into my hands, warm it, and gently pat it on my face and neck. I wait for it to dry completely before applying my next step.

3. C. Radiance Illuminating Serum (for all skin types)

I call this my glow serum. It literally makes my skin glow and feel so soft. It’s a supercharged vitamin C serum featuring powerful antioxidants to help brighten and enhance complexion. It targets dull, lackluster complexion, environmentally damaged skin, uneven skin tone, dark spots, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity and texture. One pump is all you need to cover your face and neck. Gently apply by pressing into skin and allow it to dry before moving to the next step.

4. Eye Smooth (for all skin types)

Bye-bye puffy eyes! Nothing tells you that I was up too late last night like the bags under my eyes this morning. Anyone else? Thanks to Eye Smooth, now you’ll never know if I got eight hours of sleep or three. I didn’t think I needed an eye cream (I thought it was for old people) but I was dead wrong. This is a lifesaver. It supports hydration and elasticity of eyes and targets fine lines and wrinkles around eyes, dark circles, puffiness, under-eye bags, crow’s feet around the eye area, and dryness. I gently apply it with my ring finger under my eye and use the gold eye-roller to lift the bags.

5. Be Gentle Nourishing Moisturizer (for dry and/or sensitive skin)

This is the stuff. This makes my face so soft and smooth, I literally didn’t even know that my face could feel like this. It quenches skin with the replenishment it needs to promote essential hydration retention while helping to firm and shield skin from environmental elements for all-day comfort and a healthy-looking glow. This moisturizer targets dry and sensitive skin, skin that feels tight and lacks hydration, loss of radiance, firmness and elasticity, and skin that lacks softness and smoothness. I apply a small amount to my face and neck in upward motions. There’s also a moisturizer for normal-combination skin and one for oily skin.

6. Sun Veil (for all skin types)

Did you know that you should wear sunscreen every single day? Yep — every day — no matter what the season or weather. Sunscreen is the foundational step to your skincare routine. It not only protects the skin from sunburn, but also from premature signs of aging and cancer. An estimated 90% of skin damage is caused by sun exposure, which is why it’s never too late to start wearing sunscreen daily.

Features & Benefits of Sun Veil:

Broad-Spectrum mineral-based sunscreen
Lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-nano zinc oxide lotion
Product approved by Skin Cancer Foundation – for daily use
Ideal for all skin types and skin tones
Protects against harmful UVA/UVB rays
Reef-Safe Formula

My evening skincare routine isn’t too much different than my morning skincare routine but there are some different products that I use.

My Evening Skincare Routine:

1. Makeup Vanishing Balm (for all skin types)

If I’m wearing makeup, this is always the first step in my skincare routine. It also counts as a cleanser so it’s basically a 2-in-1! It’s great for all skin types and it’s a gentle remover. My eyes are never irritated and they never burn when I’m using this. I apply a small amount to my face (even though I only wear eye makeup), gently massage in a circular motion, and wipe away with a Clean Skin Club towel. Afterward, my skin feels soft, soothed, nourished, and not greasy.

2. Be Gentle Creamy Cleanser (for dry and/or sensitive skin)

Just like in the morning, you cleanse twice in the evening. For my second cleanse, I use the Be Gentle Creamy Cleanser. If I don’t wear makeup, I use the Be Gentle cleanser twice (same as I do in the morning).

3. Skin Revitalizing Essence (for all skin types)

Just like my morning routine, the Skin Revitalizing Essence is used to prep my skin for the serums and moisturizers that I will use afterward.

4. Rewind Age Control Nectar (for all skin types)

My nighttime vitamin C serum is the Rewind Age Control Nectar. It’s a supercharged, timeless serum that floods the skin with a reconditioning dose of active ingredients to tackle uneven skin tone, loss of elasticity, fine lines, wrinkles, and transforms a dull-looking complexion for an instant smoother and ageless version. I use one pump and apply it evenly to my face and neck in an inward, outward, upward motion.

5. Botanic Bakuchiol (for all skin types)

With all of the benefits of retinol and none of the side effects, this is THE anti-aging powerhouse! It’s a lightweight lotion that’s packed with a potent blend of botanical actives that work together to help reduce the appearance of age spots, uneven skin tone and texture, wrinkles, and fine lines. I apply one pump to my fingertips and massage it onto my skin in circular motions.

Features & Benefits:

Helps to reduce the appearance of age spots for a more even skin tone
Improves skin tone and texture
Helps promote a smoother, more radiant complexion
Targets and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
For all skin types including sensitive skin
Provides 24-hour hydration

6. Eye Smooth (for all skin types)

Gotta make sure I’m taking care of the skin around my eyes in the morning and in the evening!

7. Night Haven (for all skin types)

This is my nighttime moisturizer. This luxurious night repair cream melts into my skin and provides rich nourishment and intense hydration. It targets all skin types, fine lines, wrinkles, and texture, loss of elasticity and collagen, dull, uneven skin tone; complexion, dryness and dehydration, long-lasting hydration and deep moisturization, and age control. I apply a small amount onto my face and neck and my skin feels so soft and smooth.

It sounds like a lot — I know — but my typical routine takes about 5-7 minutes.

The Face Masks I Use

About 2-3 times a week I try to make sure I use a face mask to help keep my skin even more clean, healthy, and glowing.

Berry Refined Scrub

This is my favorite face mask. It’s a 2-in-1 facial scrub that gently buffs away dull skin to reveal a smoother, softer, more even-toned glow that brightens my complexion. It targets dullness, uneven skin tone and texture, and large, prominent pores. Twice a week, after I cleanse twice (this can be used in the morning or in the evening), I apply a small amount to my face, neck, and décolletage. I make sure my skin is dry for maximum physical exfoliation and massage in circular motions. For extra benefits, I leave it on as a mask for a minimum of 5 minutes to allow the AHAs to chemically exfoliate, rinse, and follow up with the rest of my skincare routine.

Be Purified Cold Charcoal Mask

This is a unique cooling blend of mineral-rich clays and purifying charcoal to help refine pores and provide deep cleansing. It visibly reduces the appearance of the pores, helps unclog pores, and is safe for sensitive skin. I apply a small amount on dry skin once a week (can be used in the morning or evening) and leave it on for a minimum of 10 minutes, rinse, and follow up with my regular skincare routine.