My 34-Year-Old Brother Has Better Skin Than Me—These 8 Products Are Responsible

Eric starts his skincare routine with a cleanser. I recommended this one to him because it's a great basic cleanser I've used for years. It removes excess oil, sweat, and sunscreen without stripping the skin, thanks to ingredients like apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, and squalane, which moisturize the skin and support its natural barrier. 

Another product from Kiehl's. Eric uses this toner for extra hydration before the serum step in his routine. "I use this every day and night because it makes my skin feel good, and it's not oily at all," he says. 

Quality serums don't have to be expensive. This one contains peptides and multi-molecular 2% hyaluronic acid to hydrate and visibly plump the skin. Eric uses this each morning. Maybe this is why he barely has any fine lines or wrinkles.

This cult classic is another serum I recommended to him. It combines retinol and AHAs to target dullness, fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness and elasticity. Since his main goal is to prevent premature signs of aging, retinol is a must. He only uses this at night since retinol makes the skin extra sensitive to UV light. 

Eric uses this iconic drugstore product with ceramides and hyaluronic acid for extra hydration. "It's nice," he says, "It doesn't have SPF, so I just throw a little on at night." 

He even uses eye cream (again, I'm so proud). This one is formulated with peptides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and cactus extract. It promises to minimize the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and eye wrinkles. "It's good stuff," Eric says. "It's a little pick me up and gives me a little pep in my step in the morning." 

Since Eric lives in Southern California, proper sun protection is critical. He likes this drugstore classic. "I like this one because I got it from my fiancé, it doesn't leave residue on your face, and it doesn't really smell like sunscreen. It goes on pretty smooth."

As an extra step in his skincare routine, Eric uses this at-home chemical peel every so often. It uses six AHAs, a hydrating PHA, and an azelaic acid derivative to resurface the skin, fade hyperpigmentation, and dial up brightness. It also contains a blend of berries (which is why it looks like a compote) for a dose of free radical-fighting antioxidants. 

Eric's routine is perfect, but I have some additional recommendations if he ever wants to jazz things up. The first one is a skincare device. This one uses red light, galvanic current, and warming massage to target signs of aging. I have one, and I use it almost every night for a couple of minutes to boost results from my other products. I love it. 

Here's another skincare tool I use and love. An ice roller de-puffs and calms the skin when it gets too hot from a workout or high summer heat. Eric is a hockey player, so I assume this would be a nice post-game treat. 

Eric's friend once joked that his face looked sweaty, to which he replied, "It's called a glow." His friend then asked me why he didn't have a glow. It's always nice to have glowing skin, and a vitamin C serum can help you get it. 

The same goes for a sheet mask. If my skin looks a little dull or dehydrated before an event, I'll use a sheet mask to infuse hydration deep into my skin for a plump, hydrated glow. 

Since Eric doesn't have acne-prone skin and likes products that provide a lot of moisture, I recommend he add a face oil to his routine. He wouldn't have to use it every day—just whenever his skin is feeling extra dry (like when he goes back to visit our hometown in Northern Michigan in the middle of the winter). This one is packed with antioxidants and sinks into the skin without leaving a greasy residue behind.