Rio and Her Mom and Sister Sit Down to Talk Skin Care
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My first real encounter with beauty was watching my mom, Cristina Viera-Newton, who is now in her 70s, get ready. I was transfixed as she dusted rouge across her cheeks, horrified by the medieval-lookingeyelash curler, mesmerized by the small rituals she did before she went out. Yet, if I’m honest, skin care — beyond a thick layer of Nivea moisturizer — was largely absent from that picture. I was the only one in my family who really struggled withacne. My older sister, Harley Viera-Newton, had a brief spell as a teen, but neither of my parents ever contended with it. So when my skin unraveled in high school, I had no real road map. Years later, it returned with full force in my early 20s, leaving me once again to navigate it alone. Extensive and desperate research eventually led to aviral Google Docand, well, the rest is history.
So that trial by fire shaped more than just my own routine; it set me on the path to becoming both a licensed aesthetician and a beauty journalist. I’m in my early 30s now. And even though I’m the youngest, I’ve long been the family point person for anything skin-related: the one who gets texts before a purchase, or FaceTime calls from the middle of Sephora. Eventually, I brought my mom and sister into the fold (they might call it bullying, but I prefer tough love). Our skin is different, our routines diverge, and there are years between us, but that mix makes the conversation more interesting. Which is why I thought it would be fun for us to sit down together, compare notes, and talk through what we’re using, what we love, and how we each approach skin care. Three women, three distinct points of view.
Rio:I have to start off by saying, both of you have really beautiful skin. I’m going to go ahead and take credit for that, seeing as I bully both of you aboutsunscreenpretty much daily.
Harley:Yes and because you scan all my products with your hawk vision every time you’re at my house.
Rio:Mom, your birthday is coming up. How does it feel to celebrate another year? Do you feel any different?
Mom:I feel the same! I feel good. I know it sounds super-cliché to say aging is a gift, but I really believe it is. To me, constantly fighting against it and trying to erase every sign of getting older is an absolute nightmare. All of my wrinkles are signs of a life well lived. I’m not interested in restructuring my face or pretending wrinkles don’t exist, but I like looking glowy and I’m not opposed to a softening here and there.
Rio:I remember years ago you saying to me that you got so much more confident as you got older, and the older I’ve gotten the more I’ve found that to be so true. It’s funny how much emphasis people put on their 20s, because for me, I really only started to feel fully myself once I hit 30.
Harley:I agree!
Rio:Mom, do you feel like you have a particular philosophy when it comes to skin care?
Mom:For me, it’s really about enjoying the time I get to myself. I especially love my evening routine. In the morning I’m always rushing, but at night the house is quiet and I finally have space to slow down.
Rio:I’m the opposite. I love mornings and the ritual of sippingmatcha, doing my skin care, and putting on makeup. In the evening I just want to get in bed. What about you, Harley?
Harley:Honestly, I kind of hate doing my skin-care routine. Am I allowed to say that? I love skin care, but I just find the process grueling — I just wish I could snap my fingers and have it be done.
Rio:I obviously don’t share the sentiment, but I do genuinely think a lot of other people feel that way. Because you don’t enjoy the process, you keep things streamlined. You want maximum results in minimum time with as few products as possible, which is why I think your routine is good.
Harley:Exactly. I want it under three minutes, tops.
Rio:So what does your morning routine look like?
Harley:Usually I wash my face with the Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. My dermatologist originally suggested it when I was dealing with dermatitis, and I just needed acleanserthat was very simple. Then I use the Dr. Loretta moisturizer, which is light but really hydrating. I finish with the Skin1004 sunscreen you recommended, which can double as amoisturizerduring the hotter months, which is really convenient.
Rio:Both of you use a lot of Dr. Loretta! I love it.
Mom:It’s probably my favorite brand. You’ll see it all over my routine because it actually works for me. I love that she’s a brilliant doctor who has been in the industry forever and is also in her 70s. I trust that she formulates with my skin and age in mind — I guess I just feel seen by her line.
Harley:And because my skin is reactive and prone to dermatitis, I love that Dr. Loretta products never irritate me.
Rio:So what does your morning routine look like, Mom?
Mom:In the morning I use the Dr. Loretta Hydrating Cleanser, which I know is one of your favorites.
Rio:Yes.
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Mom:Then Curél moisturizing spray Harley and I picked up in Japan — which I’m very passionate about — and then the Beauty of Joseon SPF, which I learned about from one of your articles.
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Rio:Speaking of Curél, that was new to me until Harley and I had a sleepover and I raided her routine. The products are so good. How did you first discover them?
Harley:I was in Tokyo and kept seeing Curél everywhere. I guess you could say their products were looking at me funny and calling my name. They were always in the “best seller” section of stores, so I tried them, got hooked, and then made Mom use them too.
Rio:Of what I tried, I loved the toner and moisturizer. The toner feels and smells like the SK-II toner, but it’s a fraction of the price.
Harley:And the moisturizer is hydrating without being heavy. It has that slightly bouncy texture in the jar, which I like. It’s really moisturizing but not at all greasy, and a little goes a really long way.
Rio:I love when a moisturizer is rich but still has that little jiggle in the jar — it’s like a sign it’s going to quench my skin without feeling super-heavy. My Cosrx Propolis Moisturizer does exactly that. And what about the Curél spray?
Mom:Okay, the spray is amazing. It’s the closest thing I’ve found to a spray-on moisturizer. It’s also a really nice, fine spritz. It’s genuinely hydrating enough to use on its own, but if my skin feelsreallydry I’ll moisturize on top.
Rio:Okay, Mom. So you’re really indulging in the evenings. What are you doing?
Mom:I double cleanse with the May Lindstrom oil first and then the Dr. Loretta cleanser. After that, I alternate between the Dr. Loretta Milk and the Probiotic Toner Essence from Hydraflora, which I learned about from my facialist Mitra, who I’ve been seeing for years. The Hydraflora feels more healing, while the Loretta is more moisturizing. I pick depending on what my skin needs.
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Rio:I love Mitra! She gave me my first facial when I was having the worst breakouts as a teenager. What about treatment steps? Do you exfoliate? Use a retinol?
Mom:I use both a retinol and an exfoliant. For retinol, I love the Hydraflora one. It’s an oil and the only retinol my skin has ever tolerated. Everything else I tried would make my skin revolt for weeks. This one has really helped with sun spots. For exfoliation, I use the Dr. Loretta scrub. It’s gentle but leaves my skin so soft.
Rio:Harley, what does your evening routine look like?
Harley:I have dermatitis, so I’m always careful to use products that won’t trigger a flare-up. After cleansing with Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, if my skin feels irritated or I sense a flare coming on, I do a second cleanse with a prescription sulfacetamide and sulfur face wash from my dermatologist.
When my skin feels calm and there’s no dermatitis in sight, sometimes I’ll treat myself and reach for the Goop Vitamin C exfoliating pads. They leave my skin so soft and glowy, and I like that they help with removing any leftover makeup or sunscreen.
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Goop 15% Glycolic Acid Overnight Glow Peel
Rio:Okay, I have to admit that I have tried those Goop peel pads before and they are so great. In fact, I’ve scoured the internet for a good dupe to no avail. They give this really gorgeous polished, luminous effect to the skin.
But for me, that extra removal step is why I love the Mediheal toning pads. They don’t exfoliate, but they hydrate while making sure every trace of makeup is gone.
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Harley:If my skin is feeling very dry, I turn to Dr. Loretta’s Intense Replenishing Serum. It is thick, rich, and ultrahydrating, which I especially love when traveling because it helps undo all the dehydration from the plane.
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Rio:And for moisturizer?
Harley:I usually use the Curél moisturizer in the jar, but when my skin is really going through it I switch to the Reframe moisturizer. If my skin is feeling sandpapery and rough, the Reframe helps me bring it back to life. It’s more conditioning, but it isn’t heavy and I feel like all the moisture from my other products really gets sealed in — does that make sense?
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Rio:Yeah, it makes perfect sense. It’s basically a thicker, more occlusive formula, so it creates a kind of barrier that stops moisture from escaping. Also, we’re sorta burying the lead here — the Reframe products were created by our friend and genius product developer Alexis Page. Everything she makes is gold.
Harley:A real beauty-industry legend.
Rio:Truly. But interesting that there’s no retinol in your routine?
Harley:Not right now. I am too cautious because of my dermatitis.
Rio:My eczema is intense, too, and it took me a while to find a retinol that worked. I actually think the one from Dr. Loretta is a great place to start because it’s an oil and very gentle. Once I built a bit of a tolerance, I then eventually increased to Altreno, which is a prescription.
Rio:I love seeing how different your routines are but also how thoughtful in different ways you both are about your skin. Mom, you really enjoy the ritual, and Harley, you keep it simple but effective.
Harley:Exactly. I just want it to work and be quick.
Mom:For me, it’s about taking care of myself in a way that actually feels nice and makes my skin happy.
Rio:That’s the thing — listening to your skin and using what works for you. At the end of the day it’s really about finding a routine that works with, not against, your life. There’s no point in having a lengthy routine if you’re not going to do it.
Harley:And trusting the products you use makes everything easier.
Mom:When your skin feels good, it just makes everything else feel a little easier too.
Rio:Couldn’t agree more.
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