Clean Swap: My New (Slow)
Skin-Care Routine Is Amazing for Glow
Much has slowed down in the past few months, and goop senior features editor Simone Kitchens has seen a real change in her skin as a result. “It’s been kind of amazing seeing what my skin really responds to,” she says. The new routine is a mix of foolproof standbys and new discoveries (including at-home microcurrent treatments), and her sometimes-dry skin is now more radiant than it’s ever been. “I grabbed some stuff to try as the goop offices were closing, and figuring out what works has been gradual, but the payoff is, so far, extremely glowy,” she says.
EVERY MORNING
1
Microcurrent
“I love a device, but I know they can be hard to stick with. Once I figured out the best time to use this tiny handheld microcurrent gadget, though, I started to really look forward to it. For me, it’s the five or so minutes before my shower when I dry brush, detangle my hair, and (now) do my ZIIP. At first, I thought my skin looked more lifted, and then after I’d done it for two straight weeks without missing a day, my cheeks felt more plumped up, and my laugh lines seemed less noticeable. Now, after a month-plus of regular use, my skin’s taken on this healthy, vibrant flush that continues to draw unsolicited ‘your skin looks nice’ feedback from my fiancé.”
2
Vitamin C
“My skin can be very sensitive to really active ingredients, but it completely perks up when I pat on this serum. I’ve been using this for about two months now, and there’s an even brightness that’s continued to fend off my skin’s natural inclination toward blahness and dark spots.”
3
Sunscreen
“I’ve been spending more time in the backyard watering my fledgling quarantine garden. I always put on mineral SPF and my Ganni bucket hat before heading out. The Organic Pharmacy has the most amazing creamy texture that blends right in, even on my darker skin.”
twice a day
1
Face Wash
“Because my skin is on the dry side, I do very well with an oil cleanser, and it doesn’t get more skin-quenching than Tata Harper’s. I spend a little extra time massaging the formula into my skin, lingering around my tight jawbones then moving up to my brow bone, where I use my knuckles to release tension from endless screen time. My skin feels thoroughly hydrated afterward.”
2
Skin Tonic
“To help soften my skin even more and clear away anything left behind, I sweep on the G.Tox toner. My skin has felt noticeably smoother since I’ve started doing this every day. I make sure to get my neck and chest and even the back of my neck. I do all this, by the way, with a cotton pad from Muji. The thickest, pillowiest cotton pad you could dream up, it makes the whole process of wiping down your face feel downright indulgent.”
3
Moisture
“My first hydrator is always a layer of this impossibly lightweight hyaluronic acid. It gives my skin this glassy-smooth brightness that I can still see when I layer other products on top. It works so well underneath slightly thicker moisturizers.”
4
Treatment
“My skin just drinks this up and stays soft, firm, and plump-feeling all day. This is often my last step, sealing in all my serums, but even alone, it’s always the most epic skin pick-me-up.”
A Couple of Times a Week
1
Face Scrub
“I need just the smallest amount to smooth away the rough dullness I get around my nose, chin, T-zone, and forehead. I leave my jar in the shower, so rinsing it off is a breeze. In the days following, my pores feel shrunken, my skin’s texture is so smooth, and I feel like my skin-care products sink in better.”
2
Hydrating Mask
“This mask works in the most sneakily effective way, softly absorbing into skin. You might even forget you have it on. I’ve definitely left it on for hours while working and doing chores around the house. I pat on a thick layer whenever my skin is feeling dull or angsty or blotchy—it calms right away. Once I rinse it off, a glowy evenness and plush, soft texture immediately emerges and stays for days.”