Morning Skin Care Routine
Have you ever wondered why some people have skin that glows, no matter the time of day or night? It’s not all about DNA, and it’s not only a thing left for the beautiful models on TV and in lifestyle magazines. In fact, what you see in the mirror is a huge reflection of the kind of effort you put in into your morning skincare routine.
Morning Skin Care Routine: Three Main Steps
Whether it’s in the morning or evening, there are three main steps that constitute a skincare routine:
1. Cleansing — Washing Your Face
Cleansing is the most basic of all the steps. You should wash your face every morning to avoid acne, dullness, and clogging of pores.
How to Find Your Facial Cleanser
The best facial cleanser is that which cleanses your skin while leaving essential oils in place. Go slow on the exfoliating scrub; just once a week is enough. When looking for the best cleanser, follow this simple guideline according to your skin type:
- Oily or acne-prone skin – Foaming liquid
- Dry, red, and/or eczema-prone skin – Cream or lotion
- Sensitive skin – Oil
- Mature skin – Melting balm
- Any skin type – Micellar water
2. Toning — Balancing the skin
The toner not only offers extra nutrients but also helps other products absorb better and balances your skin complexion.
How to Use Toner
Toning comes after cleansing, but before you add anything else to your skin. Applying toner with clean hands works best, but you can also use a light cotton pad. Those with exfoliating acids are better left for the evening or once in a while.
3. Moisturizing — Hydrating and softening the skin
Moisturizing helps in the hydration and softening of the skin. As you age, your skin naturally loses its moisture retention ability. The moisturizer, therefore, complements the protective oils that exist and is highly recommended by dermatologists all year round.
How to Pick a Moisturizer
When selecting your moisturizer, the appropriate texture differs depending on the type of skin that you have. For instance, below is a list of suitable moisturizers with regard to the different types of skin:
- Oily skin – Gel moisturizer
- Normal skin or combination – Lotion
- Dry Skin – Cream and soft cream
- Inflamed and sensitive skin (not prone to acne) – Balm
The Best Order to Apply Skin-Care Products
When carrying out your morning skincare routine, here is a step-by-step guide that would help you achieve the best possible result:
1. Cleanser
Wipe off the dirt and product build-up that accumulated overnight using a facial cleanser. This softens your skin while clearing makeup and excess oil. The bareMinerals Oil Obsessed Total Cleansing Oil suits all skin types, so you can give it a try. You can as well consider CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser or The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser.
2. Eye Cream
The eye cream should go first, lest you forget it altogether. Pat it gently all-around your eyes with your ring finger. You could look for peptides and antioxidants in the ingredients if you desire the best results. BeautyStat Universal C Eye Perfector is one of the most popular eye creams.
3. Toner/Essence
The toner and essence both prepare your skin for the absorption of active ingredients. Toner refers to liquid formulations that help oily skin, which needs gentle exfoliation and resurfacing. You could go for Paulas Choice–SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid or an organic facial toner. The choice depends on your skin type. Essences are, however, more inclined towards skin hydration.
4. Serum
At this step, you’ll apply the active ingredients to your toner/essence-primed face. The serum formulation used in the morning is different from the one suitable for the evening. Mad Hippie Skin Care Products Vitamin C Serum is an example of one you could opt for.
5. Moisturizer
Moisturizers such as Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Facial Moisturizer and No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Day Cream SPF30 hydrate the skin and also seal in the hydration. Humectants (such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid) help pull in water, while ceramides seal the outer skin layers. You should look for these ingredients in your moisturizer.
6. Spot Treatment
Only active breakouts require spot treatment. If you have acne, a leave-on spot treatment using Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel would be appropriate.
7. Face Oil
Since face oil helps trap moisture on your skin, it is best to be applied send-to-last just before the sunscreen. Face oil offers a protective barrier, preventing the evaporation of moisture. Dr. Adorable Aloe Vera Oil is suitable for sensitive skin, while The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil for dry skin.
8. Sunscreen
Apply sunscreen every morning, regardless of whether you stay indoors or outdoors. It is best applied last, to achieve maximum effectiveness. You can opt for either physical like Dr. Eslee Physical Sunscreen or chemical blockers like CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen when selecting your sunscreen.
The Bottom Line
Following the right morning skincare routine leaves you feeling fresh and boosts your self-confidence. Remember to give it time, since any particular results you might be trying to achieve would need a commitment to your routine.