You guys seemed to really love yesterday’s Beauty Q&A, so let’s keep this conversation going, this time with skincare! If you’ve followed me for longer than a minute, then you know Colleen Rothschild is my go-to line for all things skincare.
Each new product made such a difference in my skin, that I continued adding new ones, and now she dominates almost my entire skincare routine. I’ve even got Mama Sugarplum hooked, and she insists her skin hasn’t looked this good in over a decade! Actually, my entire family now uses at least one Colleen Rothschild product as part of their everyday skincare regime!
I’ve shared my full Morning Skincare Routine here and Evening Routine here (and even Mama SP’s full regime here), but I still get questions all the time. Which I totally understand…after so many years of loving Colleen Rothschild, my list of products is pretty extensive! Likely longer than the average person, and certainly more than someone just starting out.
Her biggest sale of the year kicks off today, so I thought I’d break down my routines by priority to help you figure out the best place to start, or if you’re already a fan, the next layer to add on!
Sidenote: All of Colleen’s high-performance products are a perfect blend of plant-based botanicals and advanced scientific ingredients, and free of sulfates, parabens and all that other icky stuff. Bottom line, it’s clean, safe and gentle!
EVENING SKINCARE
Level One // Must Have products for those just starting out
Must Have Cleanser // Radiant Cleansing Balm
This is hands-down my Top 3 product overall, and the one thing I can’t imagine going without. It was the first CR product I tried, and immediately realized her products were special, and my addiction began. I can almost guarantee the Radiant Cleansing Balm will be your gateway product, too!
It’s the consistency of petroleum jelly, but warms to a soft gel when rubbed between your hands, and not only cleans pores and skin, but dissolves all makeup. It’s so gentle you can even open your eyes without irritation. (My daughter has extremely sensitive skin and uses this!) I massage on my face, then use the included muslin cloth to wipe it all off, and exfoliate a little. My skin is left completely clean, and never dry or tight.
They now offer a larger, jumbo size, too. It’s a great deal with the sale!
Must Have Anti-Aging Serum // Retinol Supreme Night Oil and Retinol Supreme Eye Serum
Okay, so this is technically two products, but it’s impossible to choose between the two. Plus, since I’m in my 40s, I need them both equally!
Most retinols are too strong for my skin, and leave it flaky and dry. But Colleen’s Retinol Supreme Night Oil combines all the benefits of retinol, but is incredibly moisturizing, so I never wake with irritation patches. In fact, it does away with any dry patches completely. It’s also packed with Vitamin C to help fight environmental toxins. The oil refines skin tone and texture, fights age spots and improves dullness.
The Retinol Supreme Eye Serum is similar to the Night Oil, but designed specifically for the fragile eye area (the first spot to show signs of aging!). It doesn’t cause any flakiness or irritation, and a small dot is more than enough to cover both eyes. After a few weeks of use, I noticed fewer fine lines and under-eye puffiness. Mama SP swears it erased her eye wrinkles completely!! She uses it on her lids and under eyes.
Level Two // Favorite products to layer in your evening skincare routine
Nighttime Moisturizer // Extreme Recovery Cream
This super-hydrating formula has a light, whipped texture, but goes on easily and absorbs quickly. It provides the most moisture of any brand I’ve tried, and leaves my skin looking plumped. If I’m really dry (like in the Winter), I’ll layer this with the Face Oil No. 9. But I have to borrow it from Mr. SP since he permanently stole mine. It goes on like an oil, but absorbs completely dry within seconds, and doesn’t leave any sort of tacky or greasy residue (hence why he likes it).
Since switching to a silk pillowcase, I’ve noticed I’ll wake up with my skin still feeling freshly moisturized with these products. (Cotton sheets absorb the moisture from your face and hair.)
Weekly Exfoliating Mask // Dual Enzyme Polish
This creamy mask has a fine grit texture, and smells faintly of citrus. Apply over a clean, damp face and neck, and let sit for 10+ minutes allowing the enzymes to exfoliate your skin (it tingles just a little). Then use circular motions to gently polish the skin, rinse and pat dry.
It leaves skin super-soft and exfoliated, with a bright glow. I use this mask on nights before a photoshoot, and my skin is brighter the next day, and makeup applies smoother.
Weekly Purifying Mask // Clarifying Detox Mask (bundle the two and save here!)
This mask is also creamy, but the charcoal dries like clay, drawing out the trapped dirt and unclogging pores. Think of it as a Biore strip for your entire face! I’ve been known to leave it on for hours. My son uses this as a spot treatment for breakouts and areas prone to blackheads.
Sometimes I’ll combine the two masks, applying the Detox to my T-Zone, and the Enzyme Polish to the rest of my face. This is especially great after travel, or days when you’ve been wearing a lot of makeup.
Level Three // For hard-core CR fans
Overall Anti-Aging Serum // Age Renewal Super Serum
I actually use this product morning and night. I figure I need to double-down on anything called ‘super serum.’ It’s more of a cream than serum, but a single pump covers my entire face and helps fight the six signs of aging: texture, dehydration, elasticity, fine lines, radiance, and tone. I think if you only used one serum, this one covers all the bases! It’s incredibly moisturizing and leaves my skin bright. It’s a Must Have for Mama Sugarplum!
Morning Skincare Routine
Level One // Must Have products for those just starting out
Must Have Moisturizer // Sheer Renewal Cream
Lightweight and breathable, this oil-free moisturizer leaves my skin looking plump and hydrated, with a touch of dewy glow. The weightless formula also diminishes the appearance of fine lines. It’s the perfect day cream and base for makeup. It doesn’t contain SPF, but I get that in my CC Cream. (See my five-minute everyday makeup routine here.) If I’m feeling particularly dry (like in Winter), I add a layer of Face Oil No. 9.
This is the moisturizer both my kids use morning and night, too!
Level Two // Favorite products to layer in your morning skincare routine
Brightening Serum // Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum
The Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum has high levels of alpha hydroxy acid to dissolve the surface dead skin cells, and leaves a brighter complexion. It also helps unclog pores and clears/prevents blackheads. I noticed a difference in my skin right away when I added this one! I use it in the morning for instant brightening.
Eye Cream // Complete Eye Cream
I recently added this product to my morning routine when I realized I needed more moisture specifically around my eyes. It really helps with dryness and the fine lines, plumps the skin a little, adds brightness, and creates a nice base for makeup.
Level Three // For hard-core CR fans
Gentle Cleanser // Balancing Gel Cleanser
This clear gentle formula creates a soft lather, and removes oils and remnants of sleep, without leaving my skin dry or tight. A single pump is all I need, and the bottle lasts for months and months.
Protection Layer // Vitamin C Treatment Complex
This thick, creamy formula improves natural radiance and clarity while protecting against environmental toxins like pollution, stress, and sun damage. This potent form of vitamin C helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and stimulates collagen production, leaving skin more even and radiant. It’s especially beneficial on hyperpigmentation spots!
Okay, that was a lot, but as you can see, her products are everywhere in my bathroom! And I’m convinced they’ve made a difference in my skin. I can’t tell you how many messages I’ve received from readers who are hard-core fans of Colleen Rothschild, too. But don’t take it from just me, check out all the reviews, too…so helpful to hear other’s point-of-view and opinions.
If you still can’t decide which products to start with, consider the Discovery Collection…7 of her best-sellers in great travel sizes. It’s the perfect way to try-out her products for the first time, or if you’re already a fan, you can bring all your faves with you when you travel. I save the mini-containers and refill them after each trip.
[Sale Details]
To celebrate Colleen’s Birthday, they’re offering $50 off every $150 purchase with code HBD50! That’s like 33% off! Plus, it’s free shipping over $49, and as always, hassle-free returns! In fact, they stand behind their products so much, they offer a 30-day guarantee!
I take advantage of this sale every year to stock up on faves, and try new things. One of best ways to save is with the bundles. Use the HBD50 code on top of the already-reduced price to save even more!
Sugarplum Shopping Tip: If you’re placing a large order, utilize the free shipping by splitting your order up so you can take advantage of the $50 off multiple times! There’s no limit to how many times you can use the HBD50 code!
And as always, SUGARPLUM20 saves you 20%, but since codes aren’t stackable, only use that if your order is less than $150!
So tell me…are you a new or longtime fan of Colleen Rothschild, or trying her for the first time today? What products are your must-haves? I hope this post was helpful in breaking down my top products!
[Shop My Colleen Rothschild Faves]
*This post is in collaboration with Colleen Rothschild, but all opinions, product selections, and glowing skin are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!*
