My AM & PM Skincare Routine as a Runner

As a marathon runner and someone now over 40 years old, I am looking for skincare products that will help maintain the elasticity in my skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, hydrate, and protect my skin from the elements of running outdoors.

I definitely don’t think I have perfect, flawless skin, but I have invested in quality skincare products over the years to protect it from the harsh winds of the Midwest, try to even my skin tone, and keep it glowing as much as I can.

And honestly, I have been very happy with my AM and PM skincare routine listed below. Some of my products are from Target/Walmart, some from Sephora, while others are higher-end and medical grade. I love trying new products and will give anything a try with a good recommendation.

For several years, I primarily used Beautycounter products, which I genuinely loved. I was a consultant for the brand, but primarily used my commissionable links as affiliate links rather than an MLM company and build a team under me. But since Beautycounter went bankrupt, I had to venture out and try some new brands for a while. Beautycounter did come back as Counter this year, and I went back to using some of their products because I had not found suitable replacements.

I genuinely look forward to my morning and evening skincare routine, and I attribute a lot of that to have products that I like using, feel good on my face, and are effective. The products are listed in the order that I use them.

AM Routine

Laneige Water Bank Gentle Gel Cleanser: I have tried a lot of cleansers over the years, and this is easily one of my favorites. It feels light and refreshing on my skin, and it has a really mild, pleasant scent. I also like that the bottle seemed to last a lot longer than many of the other cleansers I’ve purchased. I do tend to jump around from one cleanser to the next just because I enjoy trying new products but still highly recommend this one.

Counter Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence: This essence helps hydrate my skin, minimize pores, and prep the skin for my other products. I love how lightweight it is and absorbs so well into my skin. I tried to find a replacement for this as this was a previous Beautycounter product, but nothing compared and other products were sticky and didn’t feel as nice on my skin.

Counter Retinatural + Advanced Super Serum: This serum came out right before Beautycounter went under, and I loved it the first time I tried it. It helps regenerate and smooth my skin along with reduce fine lines. I love how easily is absorbs into my skin, and I really think it has helped improved the look of my skin.

Skin Ceuticals C E Ferulic Serum: I love a good vitamin C serum for brightening up my skin! This one has earned multiple beauty awards and has great reviews, so I gave it a try. I will say it is a splurge but so far my bottle is lasting a long time, and I try to be stingy with using the bare minimum needed.

The daytime moisturizer I use is no longer available from Beautycounter/Counter, but I have used this Antioxidant Soft Cream in the past and can vouch that it is so good! Truly soft and hydrating on your skin but not too thick, which makes it perfect for daytime use.

Tatcha The Brightening Eye Cream: This brightening eye cream really does brighten the under eye when you apply it! It is not too thick or too thin, and it gives good hydration to my undereye and minimizes those fine lines.

You may have noticed I don’t use a sunscreen or any SPF. Honestly, I’ve never gotten in the habit of wearing one because I’ve never felt like I’ve needed one. I run early in the morning–often before the sun is even up, and now when I have been running during the day, it is wintertime and the UV is very low or at zero. I will say, my tinted moisturizer does have SPF, so when I apply my makeup, I do use an SPF at that time. Now if I go to the pool, beach, am at the lake, or outside for an extended period of time, then I do wear sunscreen.

PM Routine

My evening routine varies a little as I find myself using products that are thicker for moisturizing my skin overnight. I start with a double cleanse if I wore makeup that day and end with a eyelash serum to help my eyelashes grow.

Almay Longwear & Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads: This is the only product I have found that will actually take off my waterproof mascara, and I have repurchased it so many times.

Garnier Micellar Water Cleanser: I first start by wiping off my makeup with this water cleanser, which is something relatively new to me, but I like it! I personally wouldn’t be able to use is solely as my only cleanser, but in conjunction with the Laneige Water Bank Gentle Gel Cleanser, I love doing a double cleanse.

I do repeat use of the Counter Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence and the Counter Retinatural + Advanced Super Serum in the evening as well.

ZO Skin Health Retinol: About three times a week, I use this retinol skin brightener. I know retinol is supposed to be good for renewing skin, but honestly I have a hard time telling how much it helps along with all of the other products I use, so I will probably use up what I have and then see if I notice a difference after I stop using it. I’ve done this with a lot of products and it seems to be a 50/50 wash as to whether I repurchase the item or not.

Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream: I have yet to find a thicker night cream than this one. I’ve tried a lot of evening moisturizers and nothing compares to the thickness and richness of this one. It has a really subtle floral scent that ends my nighttime skin routine on the right note.

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Overnight Eye Serum: I don’t normally use a different eye cream in the morning versus the evening, but somehow I ended up with two, so I use both. This is a very thick hydrating product, which is nice for overnight (I wouldn’t use it in the morning.). If I had to choose just one eye cream to recommend though, I would use the Tatcha both morning and night.

I also have been using the LiLash Eyelash Serum to help my eyelashes grow a bit longer. A few years ago I was a regular eyelash extension user, and they definitely affected how long my real lashes grew. I loved the lash extensions but not what they did to my lashes afterwards. I am now trying to get my lashes to grow in a bit fuller and longer, and then I’ll probably get a lash lift and lash tint to help those blonde eyelashes pop a bit more when I’m not wearing mascara.

And that wraps up my morning and evening skincare routine. Like I said, I truly look forward to using these products, and I think that helps me stay accountable for consistently having a good AM and PM routine. I never go to bed with makeup on, and at this point it would feel like I went to bed without brushing my teeth.

If you want to see the makeup products I use, click HERE.