Just Doro x Vivian Lynn: 3 Summer Skincare Essentials
Ah, summer. Summer is a fleeting moment in time (I will stop sounding like a Nicholas Sparks novel): frequently far too short as I try to squeeze 10 days of activities into 6 days and wonder why I’m so gassed afterwards. The sun soaks up my energy, yet the perfect summer Saturday is a day at the beach with portable charcuterie, fresh fruit, multiple Sapsuckers, and my Kobo. But I love it so much.
As we dive into patio season and spend more time outdoors, it’s also a great time to switch up your skincare routine. I’ve swapped out thick moisturizers in favour of lighter lotions, brightening masks instead of hydration masks, and find myself reaching for water-based serums, rather than oil-based serums.
Today, I wanted to chat about an affordable, everyday skincare routine for humans of all genders, but we all know that my bread and butter is food and self-care. I have the absolute honour of collaborating with my dear friend, Vivian Lynn, on today’s blogpost.
Before we get into the meat and potatoes of this post, I’d love to introduce you all to Vivian.
Please note that this post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you choose to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. These commissions enable me to continue to create free content for you and to fund my donut obsession.
how did doro and viv meet?
Vivian is one of the kindest, sweetest souls I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. We met around a year ago when she was a guest on a podcast I previously produced, called Ganbei. We kept in touch via social media but didn’t become friends until she messaged me out of the blue on Instagram and asked me about a mutual connection (who happened to be a lad).
Unfortunately, I didn’t know the guy very well... we met on Hinge and exchanged some conversation/ social handles, but that was it. I was far too busy getting my heart broken and hopes crushed by other facets of life (more on that another day).
Turns out, Vivian also met him on Hinge and wanted a “reference check” on him. I had no significant tea as I’d never met the guy IRL, but that moment cemented our friendship. Upon further conversation, we discovered that we had a mutual close girlfriend (hi Becka!), shared the same type A, corporate female leader energy, and declared ourselves soul sisters.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with her - take it away, Vivian!
vivian’s spring skincare essentials
Spring also means spring cleaning, this applies to your skincare routine too! I was a product manager for 4 years at L’Oreal and I want to share my minimalist skincare routine for anyone who only wants to spend 5 minutes every morning and evening but still reap the maximum anti-aging benefits! Here are the skincare essentials that require minimum effort for maximum benefits: all are fragrance-free, dermatologist tested and suitable for all skin types.
step 1: cerave hydrating cream-to-foam cleanser
CeraVe’s hydrating cream-to-foam cleanser removes makeup, debris, oil and sunscreen without striping your skin’s natural barrier. I swear by this formula as someone who suffers from sensitive skin and eczema. This gentle cleanser contains 3 essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid that work to hydrate and lock in moisture. I’ve used this as a daily cleanser (morning & night). This might be TMI but if you have fresh tattoos or piercings, this is the fragrance-free cleanser you’ve also been looking for. I’ve used this cleanser on my scalp before to sooth my eczema.
step 2: mineral 89 hydrating & plumping serum
Think of this serum as a multi-vitamin for the skin. Designed to plump and hydrate your skin, Mineral 89’s hydrating and plumping serum contains hyaluronic acid and 15 minerals to protect and fortify your skin (like a multivitamin for your skin!). I love this serum because it’s only make with 11 ingredients, fragrance-free and also dermatologist tested! For the fellas, I hear this is a great aftershave!
step 3: cerave ultra-light moisturizing lotion (spf 30)
Regardless of your gender identity, we are all concerned about signs of aging! I know so many skincare products hail themselves as an “anti-aging” product but the truth is, the best way to prevent aging is by vigorously applying SPF. If you don’t have time for 3 skincare products in the morning and can only opt for 1 before you leave the house, CeraVe’s ultra-light moisturizing lotion (SPF 30) is the one to pick. I swear by this SPF moisturizer because I’ve tried so many others but they always either give me a white cast or the texture is too thick. The best part is the QUALITY of the SPF is also key. The SPF 30 present in this moisturizer protects our skin against UVA and UVB rays, aka it is broad spectrum. This is also another secret the skincare industry won’t tell you: not all SPF is made the same. This SPF moisturizer is not only ultra lightweight but it doesn’t feel sticky after application either. For female-identifying folks, this moisturizer works also great as a foundation before makeup.
And there you have it, friends: CeraVe’s hydrating cream-to-foam cleanser, Mineral 89’s hydrating & plumping serum, and CeraVe’s ultra-light moisturizing lotion (spf 30) - 3 summer skincare essentials curated by our in-house skincare expert, Vivian Lynn! Can’t wait to hear about your skincare routine.
Thank you Vivian - we love you!
With love,
Vivian & Doro
about vivian
Vivian Lynn is a tech marketing professional by day and a creative by night, with a love for fashion, aesthetics, and self-care. Vivian spent 4 years as a product manager at the world’s largest cosmetics company and has a strong technical background as an ex-machine learning and AI researcher. In her spare time, you can find Vivian horseback riding, watching a new anime, or booking a flight to a new city to scratch her travel bug.
Connect with her on Tik Tok!
