Chrissy Teigen's post-baby skincare routine involves a gentler retinol and vitamin C serum but a dermatologist says she's missing a crucial step
- Chrissy Teigen gave birth to her and John Legend's daughter Esti in January.
- Teigen recently shared her post-baby morning skincare routine on Instagram.
Chrissy Teigen recently shared her new morning skincare routine after giving birth to her daughter Esti in January.
In the video, set to Mariah Carey's "It's a Trap," Teigen emerges from the shower and flashes the five main skincare products she uses.
"My skin is still finding its way so I keep it easy peasy with a few of my favorites that I use every single morning," Teigen captioned the post, tagging brands IS Clinical, Shani Darden, LOVEDº1, and Laneige.
It took some sleuthing (pausing the video quickly enough to read the labels on the serums), but here's the breakdown of what Teigen applies to her face in the morning:
She starts by patting on a vitamin C serum that includes other vitamins
IS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance, $158
Vitamin C can do everything from brightening your complexion to reducing fine lines and dark spots, thanks to its collagen-boosting properties.
"I recommend vitamin C application in the morning since vitamin C functions as an antioxidant," said Dr. Ivy Lee, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Los Angeles. Antioxidants have anti-aging properties and can help counteract cell damage.
The main thing to keep in mind is vitamin C can be a lot for sensitive skin and should always be worn with sunscreen, Lee said.
Vitamin C also "has a low acidic pH so it can potentially sting or cause irritation depending on the formula," Dr. Naissan O. Wesley, a board-certified dermatologist, previously told Insider.
The serum Teigen uses is infused with soothing ingredients like olive leaf extract and vitamins E and A that aim to increase protection against irritation while still providing the benefits of vitamin C.
Next, she layers on a gentle retinol serum
Shani Darden Retinol Reform Serum, $88
With a formula that involves encapsulated retinol (for slower release), lactic acid (for brightening effects), and fruit extract to counteract sun damage, the brand's creator, Shani Darden, claims it gives users the same benefits of retinol without any irritation or flakiness.
The product instructions warn not to use it if you're pregnant or nursing, which is common for retinol products.
Though Teigen incorporates this in her morning routine, this product is advertised for nighttime use.
"I do not recommend retinoid application during the day," said Lee. "The stability of retinoids is compromised by heat and light, so daytime application can result in reduced effectiveness." She suggested splitting up the first two steps in Teigen's routine — using the vitamin C serum in the morning and retinoid at night for maximum effectiveness.
Like most retinol products, if you start using this, you should begin by alternating days you apply it to help your skin slowly adjust. This helps skin "build tolerance and prevent over-drying," Dr. Annie Chiu, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute, previously told Insider.
Lee also noted that retinol can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so pairing it with sunscreen is crucial if you do decide to wear retinol during the day.
Teigen tops off her skin with an extra hydrating moisturizer
IS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion, $105
Teigen is a longtime IS Clinical fan, so it's no surprise that two of the brand's products make her morning lineup.
This moisturizer includes hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient that dermatologists recommend for keeping skin hydrated.
She sprays on a $10 toning mist from her husband's brand
LOVEDº1 Toning Mist, $10
Of all the products she applies in the video, Teigen looks the happiest when she spritzes this one on.
The lowest-cost item in her lineup, this toning mist is from John Legend's brand LOVEDº1, which creates products for "melanin-rich" skin. It's alcohol-free, vegan, and slightly acidic, aiming to minimize pores while soothing the skin with ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, and lavender.
To finish, she applies a popular lip mask
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, $24
Laneige's famed lip mask is beloved by celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Zoe Saldaña, Gemma Chan, and now, Chrissy Teigen. Available in five flavors including Pumpkin Spice and Gummy Bear, it uses a mix of shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin C to hydrate even the most chapped lips.
This is another product in Teigen's roster that is advertised for overnight use, but wearing it throughout the day can also help keep lips smooth and nourished.
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