So - final day of this project for me! I hope these posts have helped people, even if you only learned one new thing. The biggest points to remember, when building a skincare routine, are:

• use sunscreen. Always. Seriously. Hands, forearms, neck, and face, even in the dead of winter.
• even if all you're able to do is use soap and water and a washcloth, that does cleanse and exfoliate.
• every person will have a slightly different skincare routine, and it will change as their skin and its needs changes.
• what you put into your body will show on your skin. Drinking water and eating a balanced diet will help your skin look and feel better.
• when in doubt, ask an esthetician or dermatologist. They can help you identify your skin's needs, and thus the best products/tools for you to use.

The posts in this list do follow a rough order, but - again - my skincare routine puts a few steps in a different place. My routine, and what I use, is:

• cleanse, morning: soap and water, Cetaphil daily facial cleanser (daily, face and neck)
• exfoliate, morning: Bath and Body Works scrubs, loofah (1x or 2x weekly, no more often)
• Ambi Targeted Mark Minimizer (as needed, to lighten minor hyperpigmentation areas)
• moisturize, morning: Bath and Body Works triple body creams (daily after shower, body)
• serum, morning: Olay Regenerist serum (daily all over face and neck, spot treatment on body)
• anti-aging, morning: SPF Neutrogena Ultra Dry Touch 55+ sunscreen (daily; face/neck/hands/arms, more areas as needed/in warmer weather)
• cleanse, night: makeup remover, Cetaphil daily facial cleanser (daily, face and neck)
• moisturize/anti-aging, night: Olay Regenerist night cream

It isn't the shortest routine in the world, but it's definitely not the longest or most complex that I've seen others speak of, nor even the longest I've used. My morning skincare routine, including the shower, takes between 45-60 minutes. (I like long showers, so there's about 30 minutes right there. I have a rainbarrel behind my house that collects water for use on the yard, I have high-efficiency appliances and fixtures, I've figured out other ways to balance my water consumption. But dang it...do NOT take away my nice long showers.) After applying each lotion or serum, I'll give it 15 minutes to fully absorb into my skin before adding the next step. While I'm waiting between those steps I'll brush my teeth, dress, fix my hair, and apply my makeup. My evening skincare routine takes 15 minutes or thereabouts - fewer steps by far, even if it's no less important.

I'm sure my skincare routine will change over time. It's evolved to get to this point, and I've got a few decades ahead of me. I'll probably have to switch to gentler exfoliation products in 10 years or so, as my skin gets older and more fragile, and depending on what other characteristics my skin shows as it ages I may feel the need to try new cleansers or moisturizers (but I hope not, because I love my BBW body creams!!) I've been using Neutrogena for at least 20 years now, and I don't see that stopping unless I start reacting negatively to it as I get into my 60s.

As always, remember to check with your doctor or dermatologist if you have questions, if you start using a product and notice any unexpected changes (extreme dryness, discoloration, rashes, pain.) Dermatologist visits are not just for teens with extreme acne, beauty pageant entrants, or those with obvious skin ailments. Dermatologists specialize in skin health and care, and - unlike the folks working behind a cosmetics counter or even in Sephora - are not paid primarily based on what products they get you to buy. They'll tell you what issues your skin is actually having, what issues you need to balance or correct, and what types of products to use and/or avoid.

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