Everything you need to start a skincare wardrobe
Your skincare routine is as personal as the way you dress. Some people want to wear tons of layers. Perhaps an extravagant hat. Others may be more comfortable with a minimalist wardrobe of well-fitting t-shirts and jeans. In this particular metaphor, that’s Geologie — a personalized skincare brand that gives you a tailored routine filled with effective ingredients.
It all begins with a simple diagnostic quiz. (Think of this as your tailor taking measurements.) I didn’t time myself, but it definitely took less than a minute. It asked about my age, gender, current skincare routine, level of effort I’m willing to expend, primary skin concerns (skin health), secondary skin concerns (oiliness), sensitivities, and skin tone. At the end, you can upload a photo.
Upon finishing my diagnostic, it was suggested that I try Regimen #1. (What are the odds?) In each regimen, there are three options for complicatedness: Essential, Classic, and Complete. You can opt into whichever fits your lifestyle the best. If you’re looking for the least amount of work (short of washing your face with shampoo run-off), opt for Essential. If you like a little pampering, go for Complete. If you’re somewhere in the middle, you’ll like Classic.
Here’s how the Geologie routine would work for me
I’d start the mornings with the Everyday Face Wash. It has a gentle, unscented formula, leaving behind a clean (not stripped) canvas for the next step. The Vital Morning Face Cream contains 5% SPF 10 for sun protection, 3% niacinamide for decreasing redness and hyperpigmentation, and 2% hyaluronic acid for keeping skin hydrated. The cream feels rich at first, but after a few moments, it sinks in with a satin finish that doesn’t exacerbate my already greasy T-zone.
In the evening, I’d wash all the dirt off my face from the day again and follow up with The Repairing Night Cream. It has the same niacinamide and hyaluronic acid plus the addition of .05% retinol to promote cell growth and turnover, which minimizes wrinkles, scars, fine lines, and visible pores. The texture is more of a gel-cream that has a traceless, unscented finish.
The last step is The Nourishing Eye Cream. It has a lightweight consistency that sinks in pronto, and has a slight citrus smell. Mine was tailored to fine lines with 0.01% retinol and 0.5% peptides (for smoothing and moisturizing), but they do offer solutions for dark circles if those tend to plague you.
Lastly, anytime you’re on a retinol routine (especially when you’re just starting off), you’re going to want to use sunscreen throughout the day. Scratch that — everyone should be wearing SPF. Geologie also makes the Essential Sunscreen with SPF 30. It’s water-resistant for up to 40 minutes and didn’t leave any noticeable white cast on my olive complexion.
That’s it — your skincare wardrobe, custom-tailored to your skin type and skin goals. If you’re looking to simplify your skincare (or, hell, even just start a routine), try Geologie here and use code VGL50 for 50% off the cost of your trial.