I’ve Been an Esthetician for 30 Years—This Is What I Do to My Skin Every Single Night

Spin the wheel of glowy celebrity complexions you’d like to emulate and wherever it lands, chances are Joanna Czech had something to do with it. With 30 years of experience as an esthetician under her belt, her facials are some of the most sought-after in the industry, and her intel is the stuff that beauty editors cling to like gospel. She’s schooled us in the benefits of enzymes for acne, and taught us why we should never, ever use thick moisturizers during the summer months, and our skin is much better for it.

As someone with a breadth of skin knowledge, it’s no surprise that Czech takes her own skin-care practices very, very seriously. “I have reactive, dehydrated skin, which has gotten more dehydrated from loss of estrogen because of my age,” says Czech, who also has stage one rosacea that is exacerbated by heat, stress, and certain foods. “My skin doesn’t do great with heat, needling, or deep exfoliation. I am all about supporting it with super hydrating, comforting, healing treatments and products.”

As a special treat, she gave us a peak inside of her spring and summer season skin-care arsenal, and revealed what she uses on her skin every night. While her morning routine is chock full of nourishing products (and SPF, of course), she considers her evening regimen to be “the most important, because skin at rest absorbs products better, so the efficacy increases.” Read on for every product that graces her skin.

Cleanser: Environ Pre Cleansing Oil and Cleansing Gel

“I usually have about 10 cleansers in rotation,” says Czech. She’s a fan of the double cleanse, and uses Environ’s Dual Action Pre-Cleansing Oil, which helps to remove makeup, followed by either the Hydrating Clay Mask or Low Foam Cleansing Gel to remove any leftover dirt and debris.

Toner: Biologique Recherche P50 PIGM 400, $67

Post-cleanse, Czech balances her skin with P50. It’s made with a combination of chemically exfoliating acids, which melt away dead skin cells and create a clean canvas on which to apply the rest of her routine.  While the original P50 is pretty much the gold standard as far acid toners go, this formula has added benefits of helping with hyperpigmentation.

Massage tool: Joanna Czech Facial Massager, $189

“Massage is such an important step, as it speeds up circulation, bringing more oxygen to the tissue, resulting in brighter, healthier skin,” says Czech. “It can also change the shape of the face, lifting the brows, the jawline and emphasizing the cheekbones.” She’s a fan of her namesake massage roller, which is made with two metal balls that de-puff your face while stimulating your skin. Pro tip? Put it—or whatever roller you’ve got at home—in the fridge or freezer for a luxurious cooling facial.

Serum: Dior Capture Totale C.E.L.L. ENERGY – Super Potent Age-Defying Intense Serum, $155

Czech changes up her routine seasonally, but right now she’s currently slathering on this stem-cell infused serum. It’s made with patented Bio-Cellular Technology that smooths and firms skin while helping to minimize fine lines and increase suppleness. It’s also got hyaluronic acid to aid in hydration while you sleep. As far as application goes, she’s a fan of the “press and release” motion. “I spread the product on my skin and then press and release. Skin absorbs the product better,” she says. And according to Czech, the best way to get your serums working over time—whether they cost $155 or $15—is with a completely free hack. “I make my own ice cubes from tea—either chamomile, green or black—and I run the cubes over my face after serum application,” she says. This helps to seal in the product, and ensure it’s doing its job at max capacity while you sleep.

Moisturizer: Augustinus Bader The Cream, $170

This moisturizer might just be the smartest on the market, and Czech co-signs its efficacy. It gives your body the building blocks it needs to create new cells, through amino acids, vitamins, and nutrients, which helps to improve the appearance of dark spots and acne scarring, while diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, and restoring elasticity. At $170 a bottle, it’s hardly a budget buy, but it’s so effective it might just replace every other serum in your routine.

Eye cream: Clé de Peau Beauté Enhancing Eye Contour Cream Supreme, $265

To up the effectiveness of her go-to eye cream, Czech infuses it with a drop of Protective Nourishment Eye Glow Serum ($89). The cream helps to lift the eye and even out the tone of dark circles, while the serum helps to minimize fine lines and puffiness.

Lip Balm: Dr. Rogers Restore Healing Balm, $30

Keep lips hydrated all day and all night with this balm, which is made with nourishing ingredients like glycerin and castor oil. In addition to fighting off chapped lips, it can also be used to treat dryness all over your body, from your elbows to your knees to your nails.

Want to know what a dermatologist uses in *her* routine? Check out the video below.