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  5. 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'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's post-baby skincare routine involves a gentler retinol and vitamin C serum — but a dermatologist says she's missing a crucial step
Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor/Getty Images

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

She starts by patting on a vitamin C serum that includes other vitamins
IS Clinical

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

Next, she layers on a gentle retinol serum
Shani Darden

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

Teigen tops off her skin with an extra hydrating moisturizer
IS Clinical

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

She sprays on a $10 toning mist from her husband
LOVEDº1

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

To finish, she applies a popular lip mask
Laneige

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.

One notable absence is sunscreen

Considering this is Teigen's routine a month after giving birth, it makes sense that she might not be out and about all day. Still, sunscreen of at least SPF 30 is considered a crucial part of everyday skincare by most dermatologists, even if you're sitting inside.

"The UVA rays that penetrate glass actually reach a deeper layer of skin and still cause sun damage, discoloration, and wrinkles," R. Sonia Batra, MD, a dermatologist in Santa Monica, California, previously told Insider.

Plus, Teigen applied both vitamin C and retinol — two ingredients that can exacerbate sun damage if not paired with sunscreen. 

If you're adopting a skincare routine like Teigen's, Lee recommended using an SPF 50 moisturizing mineral sunscreen like La Roche Posay's Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen


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