My PM skincare routine staples

Daisy Shippey
Apr 15, 2023
8 min read

This is the routine that realistically tends to get switched-up a lot, but what, over the years, have been my faves that I can't live without?

Although I've played with and switched-up both my AM and PM routine over the years while working at Space NK, it's my nighttime routine that has more room to play with. In the morning, all I'm really looking for is hydration and protection from the sun and environment. However, in the evening, I think everyone's needs vary. Similar to the brand Fresh's philosophy of one's skin needing something different every day to accommodate for all types of moods, aggressors, conditions and types, I apply a different combination to my skin each evening. One evening I need more oil and nourishment, sometimes I need just a light, refreshing hydration, and then I have to work in my active ingredients in a more structured way around these other combinations.

Despite whatever curveball I may throw in every now and again, I do have my all-time favourites. So, without further ado, here are my PM staples:

Make-up remover: Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm - £47

This beautiful-smelling balm cleanser was one of the first things I treated myself to when I was a green 18-year-old at Space NK. It's a game-changer. In fact, any oil or balm cleanser I think changes the game when you're used to using alcohol-based products to remove make-up at the end of the day. You realise how much you've been stripping your skin up to this point. This balm is particularly fabulous not only for the smell (I really will never get over it) but for it's natural and extremely gentle formula and it's powerhouse of a main ingredient; moringa. Moringa was found to have incredible healing properties by the brand's namesake owner, Emma, whose skin suffered a lack of life while undergoing chemotherapy. This balm was the springboard product for the rest of the brand. Sold with a dual-sided cloth (one side is muslin for a gentle exfoliation, one side is ultra-soft anti-microbial cotton for gentle make-up removal), the balm is designed to be melted off the skin with hot water for a super-deep, pore-freeing cleanse.

What it is: A skin-softening cleansing balm suitable for all skin types that removes make-up and deeply cleanses.

What it does: Leaves the skin free of make-up and build-up of oil and dirt, without stripping the skin but leaving it feeling plumped and softer than a baby's bum, over time healing anything from rosacea, acne scarring and dullness.

Why I love: A make-up remover than doesn't strip my dry skin even further but nourishes, encouraging a spa-like treatment everyday with the way the hot-cloth removal turns the natural ingredients to steam and fills your skin and sinuses with goodness.

Face wash: Omorovicza Gentle Buffing Gelee - £62

This gently exfoliating cleanser that turns from gel to a creamy lather is a beautiful daily face wash. With a gentle citrus scent, the exfoliating beads are made of luffa fruit extract which naturally yet thoroughly buff away dead skin cells with daily use. With a very low sulphate content and high in Omorovicza's iconic ingredient saccharomyces ferment extract, which is distilled from the river that runs through Hungary and is said to have extreme healing properties, the cleanser is suitable for all skin types, and leaves your skin super fresh and clear with a healthy glow.

What it is: A face wash with a gel-to-creamy lather, suitable for all skin types, AM or PM.

What it does: Removes excess oil and dirt form the skin, including any make-up left over from your first cleanse, while simultaneously buffing away dead skin cells.

Why I love: As someone with dry skin, this product does not leave my skin feeling stripped post-wash, but instead feels soft and glowy.

Toner: Paula's Choice BHA Liquid Exfoliant - £34

A cult product from Paula's Choice, I was skeptical at first; is this really going to live up to the hype? I can confirm, yes; I found it a great addition to my routine. The ingredient of BHAs work below the surface of the skin to scour the pores of the oil and dirt which ultimately create blackheads. After just a few weeks of consistent usage you should find this product significantly reduces texture and the appearance of blackheads. Some can find this product drying, but as someone with dry skin I've never found it to be stripping, tightening or irritating. The formula is clear, lightweight and fragrance-free, so it should be okay for sensitive skin, but will definitely be down to each individual giving it a go.

What it is: A lightweight liquid exfoliant to follow your cleansing routine once or twice a day, or just a few times a week if you're new to acid exfoliation.

What it does: Provides a thorough pore exfoliation without stripping the skin (hopefully) for a clearer and smoother complexion.

Why I love: Makes my skin feel extra super clean and clears blackheads and textiles around my nose and chin.

Nourishment: Augustinus Bader The Face Oil - £195

If anyone ever quizzes me on something more pricey that I have to sell at work, my go-to sell is Augustinus Bader - because I believe in it. Belief aside, it's science-backed. The unique selling point of this brand is their patented combination of nutrients and amino acids that form what they've called TCF8. As you get older, your skin cells replicate themselves at a slower rate, causing a lack of elasticity and sagging of the skin - TCF8 was clinically found to support the skin cells and provide an environment where they can reproduce optimally, at the rate they did when you were younger. This facial oil may not be the texture for you if you have oily skin and would prefer something lighter, but for dry, dehydrated, irritated or ageing skins, this is for you. Yes - there are less expensive oils on the market, but this is my metaphor: you'd stay alive whether you ate a Big Mac with fries and a coke, or a bowl of superfood salad made up of all colours of fruit and veg, proteins and carbohydrates, but which would your body get more nutrients from? Similarly, your skin would still be on your body, maybe even feel more hydrated from a high-street oil, but when something is penetrating your skin so deeply, why not give it something that is actually going to help, rather than a placeholder?

What it is: A rich, anti-aging facial oil backed by 30 years of research in the field of stem cells.

What it does: As well as deeply nourish the skin, plumping fine lines and adding an instant glow, over time it will support the optimal speed at which your skin cells should replicate, reducing fine lines, pigmentation and scarring.

Why I love: As I have dry skin, an oil is a must in my routine. Just two drops feels like enough to protect my skin in harsh conditions (I was the only person out of a group on a week-long skiing trip that didn't come away complaining about their skin), and at night just three drops every other night of the week reduces dehydration lines and has reduced spot scar pigmentation.

Serum: Skin Rocks Retinoid 1 - £65

A brand new company on the block, Caroline Hirons has smashed it with her formulas. Fully aware there are no gaps in the market at this point and solely just wanting her mark on an industry she is so passionate about (and respected in), she knew she had to get her products on point. Her first release was her treatment serums. Designed to be used just three times a week, the clinical trials showed that you'll see results in four weeks. There are two strengths: 1 and 2. You only need 1 if you're new to retinoids, have sensitive skin but want to use retinoids, or are a young person using retinoids to reduce texture and pigmentation. You'll want number 2 if you've finished number 1 and experienced no irritation or have used retinoids before and are ready to continue on your anti-aging journey. Very high in the hydrator squalene, this serum hydrates the skin so much that you'll see an almost instant reduction in fine lines and won't experience any of the irritation or dryness that a lot of retinoids can cause the skin.

What it is: A super hydrating, fragrance-free, anti-aging serum that doesn't need daily application to work its magic.

What it does: Significantly improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as pigmentation and texture in just four weeks.

Why I love: It feels divine (I love a creamier serum over a runnier serum, and this formula is just IT). It's so hydrating I don't feel like I even need a night cream afterwards, and it's significantly reduced my fine lines and pigmentation over the last couple of months that I've been using it.

Night cream: Dr Jart Ceramidin Cream - £34

Introduced to me by another member of staff at Space NK for it's ultra-healing properties, I was hook, line and sinker from first use. As we know, I have dry skin. But post this mask-wearing era, I had what was coined 'mask-ne' on my chin, and the only thing that got rid of this was a prescribed cream that did get rid of it, but ultimately left me with an ever-flaking patch of skin that just refused to heal or be hydrated. Introducing Dr Jart's Ceremidin range. Ceramides are found in a lot of products these days; they're like the new craze-ingredient following hyaluronic acid and retinol. What they actually do is repair and support the outer layer of our skin, almost filling any gaps to stop moisture escaping. This cream healed this patched of upset skin in a matter of days, and works beautifully as an all-over, rich yet silky-smooth night cream for dry skin.

What it is: A rich, healing and ultra-nourishing cream which can be used day or night, with a refreshing lavender scent.

What it does: Applied all over the skin, acts as a barrier that locks in everything with ceramides, something the body naturally loses over time. Applied topically, heals dry or irritated patches of skin.

Why I love: The fragrance doesn't irritate my skin, which smells beautiful in the evening. It's incredibly healing for any patches of dryness or irritation anywhere on the face or body.

Eye cream: Tatcha Silk Peony Eye Cream - £60

This has to be the first eye cream, aside from the By Terry Hyaluronic eye serum, that I've become obsessed with. Day or night, it's nourishing and blurring and adds a beautiful glow to the skin. High in silk protein sourced sustainable and sans cruelty, it generally strengthens the delicate eye area and reduces fine lines over time, simultaneously immediately hydrating the skin with the cushiony, almost balm-like formula. It's also safe to use over the eyelid.

What it is: A cushiony eye cream high in silk protein, suitable AM or PM, all ages and skin types.

What it does: Reduces fine line and wrinkles over time, while immediately hydrating the skin and blurring texture around the eye area, making it perfect under make up but lovely and soothing at nighttime.

Why I love: AM I love this eye cream for its blurring and glow-boosting properties, but it's become a PM staple for how it soothes the skin in my eye area after a long day, usually post make-up removal.