There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all skin care routine.
With so many products on the market, figuring out what to use on your skin can be overwhelming and confusing. The process of trial and error can seem never-ending. On top of that, there’s always going to be some new cream or serum or oil that promises to make us all look like airbrushed models.
To find out what people really use on their faces to look their best, we asked a few of our editors to share their skin care routines with us. Oh, and we asked them to pose for some makeup-free photos, too.
Below, eight HuffPost editors let us in on their skin care secrets, revealing the products ― high-end, drugstore, and everything in between ― that they use on a daily basis.

A few times a week at night, I'll wash my face with this Kate Sommerville exfoliator, which is expensive but works wonders. Seriously, my skin feels so clean yet hydrated after using it. Then I'll add a drop of Buffet, followed by the Granactive Retinoid. I let that soak in and then put a drop of the rose hip oil on my face. I wake up in the morning with supple, hydrated skin, and I swear my wrinkles are less defined."


When I get home, I take off most of my makeup with a facial wipe, if necessary, and then wash my face with the hydrating cleanser again during my evening shower. Once I'm out of the shower, I'll use a pea-sized drop of the tretinoin cream. Once that dries, I'll put on the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion. Depending on how my skin feels or how lazy I feel, I may skip any or all of these steps except the Aveeno daily moisturizer in the morning and the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser at night."


At the end of the day, I take everything off with Simple's Micellar Water for Dry Skin using a cotton pad. It's gentle on my face but still gets off stubborn makeup like eyeliner and mascara. Then I wash my face with the Aveeno cleanser again and apply Nairian Face night serum, which I got [as a sample] at work and it smells like grapefruit. Then I apply L'Oreal's Eye Defense cream and hit the sheets."


I don't wear any makeup, but sometimes I like to splurge on fun skin care items like the Laneige lip sleeping mask (small pink container). Right before I go to bed, I apply a thick layer on my lips. In the morning you wipe off the mask with a tissue and all of the dead skin has been removed (slightly gross, but effective)! In the morning, I apply witch hazel using the same method as in the evening and then put on my day cream. I LOVE Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel because it goes on smooth and isn't oily at all (but still super moisturizing). I get enough to cover the tip of my finger and dot all over my face before spreading it out in quick, upward motions. After that, it's a little lip balm and I'm out the door!"


In the evening, I rub some Clinique Take the Day Off balm between my hands to warm it and spread it all over my face. I let it sit for a few minutes to break down the makeup on my skin before rinsing and toweling it off (if your bathroom towels aren't covered in smears of makeup, I salute you). After that, I use Caudalie Instant Foaming face wash, which is really gentle and leaves my skin feeling amazing. I follow that with Innisfree Brightening & Pore Caring Toner. Innisfree is an affordable Korean beauty brand that recently launched in the U.S., and all of their stuff is amazing. Sunday Riley is pretty pricey, but their products really do work. I put a drop of their Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment on after my toner and I feel like it makes my skin brighter and minimizes fine lines. It also smells awesome. A few times a week, I follow up with Dr. Brandt mattifying lotion because my pores and blackheads in my nose give me a lot of grief. Recently, I've also topped the whole thing off with Shiseido Essential Energy moisturizer (also not pictured, but is super creamy without feeling like it's clogging my pores. I'm obsessed)."




At night, I take all my makeup off with my Bioderma Micellar water and just do another round of toner and serum. After that sinks in, I dab The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane on my under eyes. That retinol is a miracle worker – I noticed my massive under circles dramatically shrink in about two days of use. After about 20 minutes, I apply a heavier night moisturizer -- the Beterre deep moisture repair -- before dabbing on that eye cream again. You may not believe me after reading two paragraphs of my daily skin care routine, but I'm too lazy to wash my face at night."


At the end of the day, I wash everything off with Glossier Milky Jelly, then follow up with Differin acne treatment (another dermatologist-recommended product) and add my Hydra-Rich moisturizer on top. If I'm feeling extra dry, I might use an oil, like Prestidge Beauteé Ageless Skin Serum or LOLI Beauty's plum oil, before the moisturizer, but that isn't every day."
