The glow you’re after isn’t built in a day—it’s built daily.

You can spend hundreds on facials, but if you aren’t showing up for your skin every day, you’re missing 80% of the results. That doesn’t mean you need a complicated 12-step routine.

At Ivy & Fields, we believe in simplicity, clean science, and skin that reflects how good you feel inside. This is your go-to guide for building a clean, effective, and results-driven AM and PM skincare routine. 

Understanding Your Skin

As part of the Aging Gracefully series (and having just turned 40!), I have been knee-deep in skincare research. What works for one person may not work for all. You will achieve your best results by preparing a routine that is personalized to your skin needs.

Do you have melasma or sun damage? Hormonal acne or fungal acne? Dry, oily or combination skin? The answers will determine the right routine for you. If you need help understanding your skin, visit your local naturally-minded esthetician. If you're in Miami, we absolutely love Skintique Spa Miami!

Working with an esthetician can really help you understand your skin. Your skin type, skin condition, goals, external factors, and even local weather can all influence the types of products you use. Be sure to find an esthetician grounded in ethics and genuinely interested to meet your individual needs (rather than selling you something you may not need).

A word of caution: most spas don't have perfectly non-toxic products, so while they are a great place to learn about your skin, they are not usually the best place to shop.

Non-Negotiable Basic Skincare Routine Steps

While everyone's skin is unique, there are 4 essential steps I believe no one should skip. At minimum, you need a good:

1. Cleanse - to remove dirt, makeup, pollution, dead skin cells, mites, and other nasties. This should include exfoliating 1-3 times a week.
2. Hydrate - a water-based product with a humectant such as aloe, glycerin (vegetable), panthenol (vitamin B5), hyaluronic acid or snow mushroom to draw water and hydration to your skin surface.
3. Repair - an emollient (face oil) to soften skin, seal in moisture and focus on barrier repair. These are oil-based products, usually in the form of a face oil or balm.
4. Protect - a safe mineral sunscreen/SPF to protect your skin from pollution and DNA damage. Sun damage is the undisputed number 1 contributor to premature aging. UV radiation damages skin cells.

If you are consistent with these foundational steps, you will see improved skin. Then, depending on your skin needs, you might need some other steps like a spot treatment or an eye cream.

Let's help you build a routine that is right for you!

Building Your Personalized Routine

Evening vs. Morning Routine

It is generally recommended to use different products in the morning versus the evening. Your skin is not doing the same thing at 7am that it is doing at 11pm, and your routine should reflect that.

During the day, your skin is in defense mode. It is managing UV exposure, air pollution, blue light, fluctuating temperatures, and in many cases, makeup sitting on top of it for hours. Your morning routine should be built around protection and preparation. Anything you apply in the morning should play well with sunscreen and, if applicable, with your makeup.

At night, your skin shifts into repair mode. Stress levels drop, cell turnover increases, and blood flow to the skin rises, all of which means your skin is more receptive to active ingredients and more capable of healing and regenerating while you sleep. This is the time to use your more potent actives and richer barrier-supporting ingredients.

Let's break down how the essential 4 we just discussed might look different in the morning vs. the evening:

Cleanse

Your skin accumulates more than you think over the course of a day: makeup, sunscreen, pollution particles, excess sebum, dead skin cells, and even microscopic dust mites. A good cleanser removes all of that without stripping your skin barrier.

How To Cleanse

At Ivy & Fields, we believe in gentle cleansing. Skip harsh or ethoxylated surfactants like SLS, SLES, and others. We prefer glucoside or glutamate-based cleansers. We only carry gentle cleansers at Ivy & Fields.

If you wore makeup or SPF during the day, we highly recommend Double Cleansing. Double Cleansing refers to using an oil-based cleanser before your regular surfactant-based cleanser. Oil cleansers help soften and melt away buildup (like makeup and SPF) before you come in with a surfactant to rinse it away. You will get a deeper clean without the need for harsh cleansers.

When To Cleanse

The best time to cleanse is in the evening. Start with an oil cleanser, and follow it with a surfactant based cleanser.

If you used sun-safe products in the evening, then most people can safely skip the morning cleanse. Or alternatively, you can use a face toner or hypochlorous acid to refresh the skin without having to cleanse.

If you do cleanse in the morning, you do not need to oil cleanse (there is no makeup or SPF to remove). Just a gentle surfactant cleanse will do. Here is what it might look like for you, depending on your personal circumstances:

Clean Living Tip: We only advocate for Bakuchiol, and not Retinoids because Retinol is phototoxic (and not pregnancy-safe), and unfortunately, most people don't remove their Retinol perfectly in the morning, leading to serious skin damage over time, and even increasing your risk of skin cancer. In addition, most Retinols use petro-ingredients in their base, which we prefer to avoid.

Exfoliate

Dead skin cells accumulate on the surface of your skin over time, dulling your complexion, clogging pores, and creating a barrier that prevents your serums and actives from absorbing properly. Regular exfoliation clears that buildup and keeps your skin looking fresh and receptive to everything else in your routine.

How To Exfoliate

You have two approaches to choose from. Mechanical exfoliants use physical texture to manually slough off dead skin cells, like a konjac sponge or a gentle scrub. Chemical exfoliants use acids or enzymes to dissolve the bonds holding dead skin cells together, ingredients like lactic acid, glycolic acid, or fruit enzymes. Some products, like the Phor Essentials Turmeric Pads, combine both in one step.

Avoid scrubs with microplastic beads or overly abrasive particles that can cause microtears in the skin. Instead, look for natural enzymes, low-concentration acids, or soft plant-based textures that do the job without the damage.

When To Exfoliate

Exfoliate 1 to 3 times per week in the evening. Find the frequency that works well with your skin type. Oily skin types can usually exfoliate more often, while dryer skin types should be more conservative. 

Hydrate

A moisturizer's job is to draw water into the skin and keep it there. With consistent use, this keeps your skin plump and prevents or slows down the formation of lines and deep set wrinkles.

How To Moisturize

Look for humectants like aloe, glycerin, panthenol (vitamin B5), hyaluronic acid, or snow mushroom, which work by attracting water molecules to the surface of your skin and helping maintain hydration throughout the day. 

It's also recommended to seek out moisturizers with other actives like sodium ascorbyl phosphate (Vitamin C), ferulic acid, niacinamide. olive leaf extract, and a few other antioxidant plant extracts.

When To Moisturize

Every time you do your skincare routine, a moisturizer should be involved! Well-hydrated skin is more resilient, more even in texture, and better equipped to defend itself against environmental stressors.

You can use the same moisturizer day and night, but many choose to use different ones to reap the benefits of different actives. For example, you might consider a light Vitamin C moisturizer or fast-absorbing hyaluronic serum during the day. Then at night, you might opt for a heavier, slower absorbing cream.

Repair

Where a moisturizer brings water to your skin, a face oil seals it in. Oils are emollients, meaning they soften the skin and reinforce the lipid barrier that prevents moisture from escaping. Applied after your moisturizer, a face oil or balm is one of the most effective ways to lock in everything you just applied and keep your skin feeling supple for longer.

Most "dermatologist lists" completely ignore this category of skincare products, but introducing face oils has made the biggest different for my personal skin. Especially as I age, it helps my moisturizer work longer and slows down transepidermal water loss. I feared oils in my youth because of my acne-prone skin, but my skin has never looked better since introducing face oils. Don't sleep on this step! 

How To Face Oil

Because oils act as occlusives, they should always be applied at the end of your skincare routine. If you are using multiple oil-based products, apply from lightest to heaviest. If you are unsure, look at the thickness of the oil or apply a sample on your forearm and notice which one absorbs more quickly. You want to apply the faster absorbing ones first.

Organic Ivy's Youth Nectar delivers 2% Sytenol A (the only certified Bakuchiol) and astaxanthin (skincare's most powerful antioxidant) in a base that mimics your skin’s natural composition.

When To Face Oil

If you wear makeup, Face Oiling is not recommended during the day. Why? Because oils are an effective makeup remover and don't often play very well with makeup products.

Protect

If you do one thing for your skin, make it this. Sun damage is the single biggest contributor to premature aging, responsible for the breakdown of collagen, the formation of dark spots, and direct DNA damage to skin cells. A mineral sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide sits on top of the skin and physically deflects UV radiation rather than absorbing it, making it a safer and more stable choice for daily use.

We know there is a lot of misinformation and fear surrounding sunscreen in the clean living space. Chemical-based sunscreens do come with endocrine and environmental concerns. However, non-nano zinc oxide is considered a human- and reef-safe option. It also does not meaningfully stop the absorption of Vitamin D in practical use (source). If you are worried about your Vitamin D levels, monitor it annually with a routine blood test.

How To SPF

Use an SPF of at least 30 daily. SPF 50 or higher offers only marginally more protection and is not necessary for everyday use, though it is a reasonable choice if you are spending extended time outdoors or doing water activities. In those cases, reapply every two hours regardless of the SPF number on the bottle.

If you are wearing makeup over your sunscreen, a water-based SPF tends to play nicer underneath cosmetics. Oil-based sunscreens can break down makeup over time, which makes sense when you consider that oils are one of the most effective makeup removers out there. For a clean, water-based option we love, check out Eclipse. 

Many foundations, tinted moisturizers, and powders contain zinc oxide, but this is generally not a substitute for a dedicated sunscreen unless the product has been independently tested and carries a certified SPF rating on the label.

Only use a sunscreen that carries a Drug Facts panel on the label. In the United States, sunscreen is regulated as a drug, which means any product making a legitimate SPF claim must undergo actual human testing to verify it. That testing is rigorous and expensive, and not every formula passes.

There are many small-brand "sun balms" and "SPF moisturizers" on the market that are not certified and have not been tested. As a formulator, I can tell you that zinc oxide is one of the harder ingredients to work with, and many sunscreen formulas fail SPF testing. Without that Drug Facts panel, you simply have no guarantee that the product will protect you at the level it claims.

When To SPF

SPF/sunscreen is recommended when the UV rating is 3 or higher. You can easily check the UV rating in your area from the weather app on your phone. As a good rule of thumb, most professionals recommend applying it daily regardless of your outdoor plans. Not only because it builds a great habit, but also because it helps block pollution and blue light as well!

Optional Skincare Steps

The essential 4 are in my view and experience: non-negotiable. If you want great skin, you need at least 1 product in each of those categories.

Beyond those foundational steps, consider adding these additional steps if they are relevant to your skin needs or goals:

• Face Toner: Toners rebalance pH, calm the skin, and help your next steps absorb better. They can also help calm redness. Some of them also contain added actives like hyaluronic or snow mushroom and can even replace a moisturizer step depending on the formula. I personally love using toners and my skin loves the extra hydration!
• Hypochlorous Acid: If you have acne-prone skin or perform activities that lead to clogged pores, hypochlorous acid is a fantastic tool for killing acne-causing bacteria. You can use it in place of a toner, or after.
• Spot Treatment: Dealing with acne? A spot treatment can help. I have not found one that meets clean living and effectiveness standards for Ivy & Fields. However, I have had luck with pimple patches. Hydrocolloid draws fluids and acne-related sebum to maintain a moist environment and support cellular repair. While the bandage is often made with petro ingredients, it is a physical bandage and not a chemical active that your skin is meaningfully absorbing. It also prevents individuals with acne from picking at their face. 
• Eye Cream: If you struggle with puffiness or fine lines around the eyes, apply a caffeine-based formula like 100% Pure's Caffeine Eye Cream after toners, and before moisturizers. If you prefer a caffeine-free formula that leans on Vitamin C, CoQ-10 and Paracress instead, check out Organic Ivy's Electric Glide.
• Acids and Other Targeted Serums: If you're using additional acids, serums or "essences", like Hyaluronic Acid or Niacinamide, add them into your routine after toners, but before eye creams, spot treatments or moisturizers.
• Face Primer: If you are applying makeup, we always recommend applying a primer before any cosmetics. Primer helps makeup apply more smoothly and adds a protective barrier. Our favorite is the Beauty From Bees Face Primer!
• Gua Sha: Oils like Youth Nectar are excellent for Gua Sha. Gua Sha stimulates lymphatic drainage and improves circulation. It also helps your products penetrate. Use with your oil-based serums. Check out our Beginner Guide to Gua Sha.
• Lip Mask: Don't forget about your lips! They deserve love too. We love Earth Harbor's Sea Kiss Plumpy Lip Balm.

If you are following your morning routine with cosmetics, be sure to choose clean makeup options too. Most mainstream cosmetics use petro-ingredients, PEGs, silicones, and fragrance. Some of these ingredients can clog pores, cause breakouts or irritate your skin (along with other toxicity or environmental implications). Don't ruin your skincare routine with dirty cosmetics! Choose clean ones instead.

The Correct Order For Your Skincare

Here’s every step in a skincare routine you can consider.

In no way are we recommending that you do all of these. We have simply listed potential steps (in order of use) so you can build your own. Here is where each product would land in the correct order of use:

1. Oil Cleanse (PM)
2. Water-based/Surfactant Cleanser
3. Exfoliation (1-3x/week)
4. Face Mask (1-3x/week)
5. Toner
6. Essences
7. Light Serums
8. Heavy Serums
9. Light Moisturizers
10. Heavy Moisturizers
11. Spot Treatment
12. Hydrocolloid Patches
13. Eye serum
14. Light Oils
15. Heavy Oils
16. Gua Sha (1-3x/week)
17. Light Balms or Butters (Tallow)
18. Heavy Balms or Butters (Tallow)
19. Sunscreen (AM)
20. Makeup Primer (AM)

Always layer from water to oil and from lightest to heaviest. When in doubt, the fastest-absorbing products go first. Your actives are the stars of the show, so choose them based on your specific skin condition and goals, and let everything else support them.

How To Handle Duplication

If you’re feeling like your routine is “too much” or you're simply looking to cut back, the first step is understanding the actives in your products. Actives are the ingredients doing the heavy lifting behind the marketing claims. Think: Bakuchiol, Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, and so on.

To simplify, start by eliminating duplicate actives. Are you using two peptide serums? Consider dropping one. Some duplication might also be okay if their delivery is different. For example you may have peptides in both your water-based hydrating moisturizer and your oil-based serum. I wouldn't necessarily cut one since each product is providing different benefits. But if you have two water-based peptide products, then it makes sense to cut back.

But what if you love both? In that case, try alternating. Use one in your AM routine and the other at night.  The most important factor in any skincare routine is consistency. Give each product its moment to shine through regular, intentional use.

Don't skip essentials!

A final word of caution: when streamlining your routine, don’t skip the essential categories. You always need to cleanse at least once a day. And you need to balance both water- and oil-based products, and regular exfoliation. Don't simplify yourself into a completely waterless routine. You will likely experience dryness if you don't have hydration to lock in with your oil products.

More Than Skin Deep

Your skin often reflects your internal health. No serum can replace a body that isn't functioning to its full potential. These internal tips are part of achieving your best skin too!

• Prioritize sleep and stress reduction—If you aren't resting, you aren't repairing. If you are experiencing chronic stress, your body can't focus on things like rebuilding your collagen.
• Hydrate internally too—Dry skin? Water-based moisturizers and serums are only a piece of the pie. Make sure you're drinking half your body weight in ounces daily.
• Eat nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory foods—Berries, leafy greens, and omega-3s are great for your skin and help protect against oxidative stress. Avoid inflammatory and ultra-processed foods which trigger acne, puffiness, and redness. Inflammation also breaks down collagen and elastin, which is your skin’s natural scaffolding that keeps it firm and youthful. 

We cover many of these tips in Episode 1 of our Aging Gracefully series.

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