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]
I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE the cleansing balm. I actually look forward to cleaning my face at night thanks to that stuff. I also use the daily eye cream, oil no9, retinol night oil, and sheer renewal. Going to try the mask combo you suggested. Thanks for the tips and the sale code. Time to stock up!
I’m so happy to hear this, Tatia!! Her products really are superior, and with the sales, pretty affordable too!
I’m a total convert! I’m restocking my cleansing balm (did not know it was possible to love a cleanser this much) and sheer renewal cream, and I’m going to try her SPF moisturizer for the first time.
I feel the same about the balm!! I use it in the shower, so I’ll apply it first and leave it on like a mask while I’m bathing…leaves my skin crazy soft!!! Let me know what you think of the SPF!
I have been using CR for a year since reading about it here 😍 It has cleared up my rosacea. I use lots of what you use. I want to add Retinol back in, I am 49;) and have very sensitive skin. Do you use the Retinol supreme night oil alone or with the Extreme Recovery Creme? I use Face Oil No 9 with Extreme Recovery Creme now😉
My mom has rosacea too, and loves both retinol products. They are very gentle, and she said when paired with the extreme recovery cream, she wakes up with her skin inflammation at a minimum!
I tried to use the hisugarplum20 discount code and it didn’t work. Any idea why?
Oh my goodness, so sorry about that Linda…it’s actually SUGARPLUM20. Try that one for 20% off. But make sure you test both codes and go with the one that offers the biggest savings!!
That did it – thank you!
Hi Cassie,
Thank you for your always amazing scoop on so many great things! I’ve become a HUGE CR fan. This summer I splurged and went pretty much all in. I’m 51 and it was time for some grown up skin care. My skin feels like completely different skin. So much softer and smoother. Fine lines are less noticeable. And I’ve recently noticed that a brown patch on my face that was about the size of a dime has completely disappeared! It was dark enough that I put concealer on it every day and now I can even see it – it’s barely a shadow. Yippee!! I think my faves are the cleansing balm, age renewal super serum and the intense hydrating mask. I sleep in that mask most nights now because it feels so amazing and makes my skin so soft. I’ve also discovered that I LOVE their hand cream. And their customer service is superb. So thank you again, my skin thanks you, my dermatologist not so much. Ha!
This makes me so happy to hear!!! Which product do you think was most impactful on your dark spot?? I need to add that! I have her hand cream in my car, love it!! And yes to the Intense Hydrating Mask…I always fly in it! I wanted to add all these things to the post, too…but hoped narrowing it down to my essentials would be most helpful. Thanks for sharing!! xo. C
Do you use an SPF over you day time routine?
Yes! I use either Nars Tinted Moisturizer or It Cosmetics CC Cream…both have SPF.
My concern with this line is actually due to the reviews on the Colleen Rothschild website. Every review is a five star review, so it makes me wonder whether the reviews are truly from satisfied costumers or written by the company itself. I find it hard to believe that someone has never posted a lesser star review.
I can see why you might be suspicious, but first up…I know this company (they’re dallas-based, so I’ve met Colleen and her husband Stan several times), and they are outstanding humans, and would NEVER operate like that!! Second, I think you’d have to have a pretty poor experience to leave a negative review, and this just goes to show that people genuinely LOVE the products. Honestly, the response I hear from readers who finally decide to try them for themselves is ALWAYS overwhelmingly gushing!! I’d never share something so passionately that I didn’t truly believe in. And remember, there’s a 30-day guarantee, so no risk to try! xo. C
Thank you, Cassie. Maybe I will give the cleansing balm a try! 🙂
I believe all the 5 star reviews. I was happy with my previous products, so I wasn’t expecting to love CR products, but I sure do! Thank you Cassie for introducing them to me – I had never heard of the company before. I started with the discovery kit, then bought full size of the basics and am taking advantage of this sale to add some of the “layering in” products.
Do these products “play nice” under a different brand of makeup? Thanks in advance.
I’m not exactly sure I understand the question, but I wear them under any and all makeup and it’s great! The day products absorb quickly, too!
I think it has to be the either age renewal super serum or the retinol supreme night oil that has faded my dark spot. I wish I knew exactly which one. I’ve been using both of those products pretty religiously for a few months.
Then I’ll just have to keep using them both, too!! 😉
Hi!
I’m trying the renewal cream! In your email, it says the 20% code is HISUGARPLUM20, but thankfully, I see the correction above in the comments that it’s actually SUGARPLUM20! In case you were wondering why we thought it was HISUGARPLM20! 🙂
So sorry about that!!! I’m glad you saw the corrected code and were able to use it!! xo. C
I’m in LOVE with the hair serum! It makes my hair so smooth and silky (and smells wonderful!)
Oh really!!?? I need to try the hair products next!
Just got discovery kit … day 2. I love the cleansing balm and the enzyme polish. Do any of the moisturizers have that cool water gel feel? I love that feeling
I have been using CR for 6 months thanks to you!!! I have used a variety of skin care products over many years and I have finally found the one!! Love how my skin feels and looks. My fav is the cleansing balm and addicted to No9 oil!! Love them all. Thanks to you and mamasugarplum!!!!
Question about the serum. The reviewers say they use it at night, but you use it as a part of your daytime routine. It’s been 6 months since you wrote the post so just curious if you still use it in the morning?
Hi Carie! Which serum are you referring to?