Everything in Em Vernem's summer skincare routine.

Mamamia’s What’s In Her Bag series asks Aussie women to give us a look at their everyday beauty routines. Kind of like a sex diary but with beauty. So… not like a sex diary at all. We discover what women are putting on their faces, how much of their hard-earned cash goes towards beauty, and what works for their busy lives. There’s no right or wrong, just real beauty from real women. This week, Mamamia writer and podcast host Emily Vernem shows us what’s in her bag.

Name: Em. 

Age: 27. 

Job: Writer, podcast host and content creator. 

Biggest skin concern: Hyperpigmentation and congestion. 

AM skincare routine.

I'm going to be honest with you. This is a safe space right guys? My morning skincare routine is the only and I repeat ONLY reason I wake up 20 minutes earlier than I need to. 

It is the one daily act of self-care that I can't live without. I find it so therapeutic and only when my routine is complete, do I feel awake (even though by then it's around 8:45am).  

Before we get into it, I have a confession. I have an aversion to sinks. Don't get me wrong I still brush my teeth at the sink, but the thought of carrying out my sacred morning skincare routine in my bathroom makes me feel icky. The majority of my routine takes place in my bedroom with a guest appearance of my shower which is where my daily AM skincare journey begins.

My bookshelf turned sacred skin care section of my bedroom. Image: Supplied.

The shower is where the cleansing takes place. Getting rid of the night before if it's been one of those nights where I embarrassingly slept with my makeup on thinking, "Future Em will take care of that." (FYI, future Em despises past Em.)

The cleanser I've been grabbing for recently is the Dr Lewinn's Eternal Youth Mousse Cleanser. I've been getting some unfavourable spots and pimples lately and foaming cleaners seem to be working really well for me. 

Straight out of the shower, lip balm is everything (100-degree shower girlies understand). I recommend using Blistex Ultra Lip Balm SPF 50+ – it's broad spectrum and intensely protecting from the sun, dryness and the cold (a triple threat). It's also super moisturising for chapped lips, so at a cute $3.70, it's worth having one at your bedside, your car, your work desk... the limit does not exist.

Image: Supplied.

I then slap on a vitamin C serum to help with my hyperpigmentation. I've found Go-To's Much Brighter Skin plays the nicest with my other AM skincare products. I then give my face a little spritz with a Mario Badescu Facial Spray to help my next product sink in, which is... (insert drumroll here) a hyaluronic acid! On days where I feel like my skin looks a bit dull and drained of energy, I use Go-To's Much Plumper Skin. Recently I've been switching that out with Barni Skin's Holiday Glow serum, as it also has niacinamide and encapsulated vitamin E in its formula and my skin drinks that right up.

Can you see why I need 20 minutes? Don't worry, we're nearly there. 

My moisturiser of choice right now is the Barni Skin Dew Not Disturb moisturiser because it's oil-free which doesn't mess with my congested skin, but still keeps it soft and hydrated. Every few days I use the Fenty Skin Flash Nap Eye Gel-Cream. It sits beautifully under my makeup and is my last resort if my eyes are still saying, "Don't be talking to me, I haven't woken up yet." 

Finally, the last and sacred step... sunscreen. The one I'm reaching for ATM is the Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF 50+. Its ultra-thin, silky consistency sits well and doesn't pill with all my products and makeup. It has a barely-there feeling and makes your skin look a bit glowy. 

As extra protection throughout the day, the Ultra Violette SPF 50 Preen Screen Mist is handy to have in the handbag to touch up your face while out and about, plus the Blistex Ultra Lip Balm SPF 50+ to reapply, always.

Me after my AM skincare routine 🥰 Image: Supplied.

PM skincare routine 

Just checking in to make sure this is still a safe place. It is? Okay great, because I have another confession... 

I hate doing my evening skincare routine. 

I don't know why, it just doesn't give me the same feelings of satisfaction as my morning skincare routine does. Because of this, as mentioned before, there have been one too many nights where I've done the dreadful act of sleeping with my makeup on.

I've made it my New Year's resolution to always wash my face before I go to bed and because my skin is undergoing some drastic yet necessary changes in its routine, it's kinda freaking out on me. 

My PM (although not as fun as my AM) skincare routine is a go-hard or go-home situation (although it's my preferred choice, going home is not an option right now). I double-cleanse to make sure all my makeup is off. My first wash is with an oil or balm cleanser – I've been using Tatcha's The Indigo Cleansing Balm followed by my trusty Dr Lewinn's Eternal Youth Foaming Mousse Cleanser. 

Every second day I've been incorporating an exfoliant in my routine to help with all of my skin concerns. Alpha H's Liquid Gold is literally its name in a bottle. 

On the other days, I use Alpha H's Vitamin B serum, hyaluronic acid and Boost Lab's Bio-Active Eye Reset Serum. 

Every evening I end my routine with a thick moisturiser that carries my skin into the morning. I cycle through different ones, with some of my favourites including CeraVe's Moisturising Cream, Emma Lewisham's Supernatural 72-hour Hydration Face, Fenty Skin's Instant Reset Overnight Recovery Gel-Cream and QV's Nurturing Night Cream.

Image: Supplied.

Every Sunday (I've branded self-care Sundays), I put on The Ordinary's Salicylic Acid 2% Masque for 10 minutes to help minimise the look of my pores.  

And there you have it! My AM and PM skincare routine. If it sounds like absolute chaos, that's because it is. Some days when I just want to have those extra 20 minutes back in the morning or jump straight into bed when I get home, I do the bare minimum. As long as I can bring myself to cleanse, moisturise and always include sun protection, that in my humble opinion, counts the most!   

Shop Blistex Ultra Lip Balm SPF 50+ Stick online or in-store at Chemist Warehouse.

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. Reapply frequently. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and wear protective clothing, hats and eyewear when exposed to the sun.

If you want more pop culture opinions from Emily Vernem you can listen to her on Mondays-Wednesdays on The Spill podcast or you can follow her on Instagram @emilyvernem.

Feature Image: Supplied.