What do you do to make your skin nice?

Ive been slowly working on this, more by trial and error

but right now my skin is sooooo nice

the last week I have been using Amlactin lotion about an hour before showering, its a alpha hydroxy lotion and is so silky smooth
I use Dove Sensitive skin nourishing body wash and I use on of those motorized round brush gizmoz... every few days Ill break out the loofah and gently use it. Occasionally I use Noxema or old school Ivory bar soap

Excluding makeup days the only other thing I put on is Primer, I had Lancomme La Base, then Elf Poreless (pink bottle) and I just got Maybelline Master Prime Blur & Smooth ..... OMG, I love this stuff, even without any makeup I use it

sadly I usually cannot be bothered to remove my makeup before bed, shame on me But I dont think I use much
Im fascinated by how smooth and silky my face has become in just a weeks time

I wash with cetaphil face soap, and then put lotion on.  I do this right before bed.  I usually try to shave first.  It takes time but I'm seeing (feeling, lol) results.  My skin is softer and smoother.

Before going out it's Olay ProX moisturizer (lotion), Spf 30.  Sunscreen is important every where, but I live in Florida. Sometimes Olay Regenerist Micro sculpting cream.  At night every other day I use either a prescription tretinoin cream or Neutogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturezer with retinol.  It is a little less aggressive than the prescription stuff.  Then the microsculpting cream.  If I wear make-up then just the Olay moisturizer under it.
   

Morning: wash face, Face lotion, chapstick, sunscreen (60+spf), eye cream (w/ retinol), face tan lotion, hand lotion
Night: eye makeup remover, face makeup remover, wash face, face night lotion/masque, night eye cream, chapstick

If I dont wear makeup then obviously I skip the makeup remover steps

Rita,
Do you subscribe to any woman's magazines?  Try Allure.  It is cheap, seems to be highly respected, and has frequent articles on the questions you have been asking.  Often in depth and with how-to's. Frequent interviews with top dermatologists.  Once a  year there is "top" editors picks segment with the best of all classes of products.  I really like that they break it up with best department store item and best discount drugstore product.  A lot of times your paying for packaging and fragrance.  Of course sometimes that is just nice.   I also like a feature showing the history of one beauty item like mascara.

Its not a routine... But I put non-chemical base sunscreen on (like Zinc), mix with moisturizer (mineral oil base) to avoid the geisha appearance, and then lightly coat with vaseline. Then blow dry my face, and then lightly pat any excess "gunk". Vaseline is a great product because retin leaves irritated peely skin. Vaseline also gives a dewy complexion. Then spray perfume.

At night, retin A and (not always) then a layer of vaseline after some time for moisture over night.

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This is for now. Retin A is the only proven wrinkle blaster-aging prevention, non chemical sunscreen as well. The chemical ones break down, and cause free radicals on the face. Vaseline keeps water intact, as a skin barrier, and Tyra Banks ultimate secret to her beauty. Mineral oil was Marilyn Monroe favorite product (its a moisturizer with other stuff though, smells like coconut). And I work in a professional environment no time for geisha look, and Im in the sun for 20 mins a day to get to places. Blow dryer speeds up the time it dries on my face so I dont look like a greasy hot mess. Patting excess is key.

Morning: Wash with Foreo Luna cleansing brush & raw black soap, moisturize with No.7 anti-aging serum & Aveeno positively radiant.

Night: Same wash as morning, retin-a.

When I transistion Ill have a 1910s meets Renaissance look. I think those two eras were beautiful looks.