6 Step Morning Skincare Routine
Do you wonder what to do with all the lotions, serums, oils, and potions you buy for your skin, in what order to use them or are you wondering when is the best time for your skincare morning or evening? The fact is you need both a morning and an evening skincare routine. In the morning you need a routine that will prepare and protect your skin for the day. In the evening you need a routine that will clear your skin of all that it has been exposed to during the day. The good news is the routine does not have to be complicated, elaborate, or time-consuming. With skincare, you just need to be consistent in order to see the result. Begin with the basics and add to it as you gain more knowledge about what your skin’s needs are, or what are the issues that you would like to address. The lotions and potions won’t work if they are just sitting on your counter and not being used. In this article, I provide you with a simple 6 step morning skincare routine and the correct order in which to use your products.
AM Routine
Cleanse: When choosing a cleanser, look for one that does not contain alcohol and that works for your skin type. You will also have a choice between a face wash or a cleanser. Although both dissolve away excess oil, grime, and pollution, a cleanser is more moisturizing and hydrating than a face wash; it is also more effective in removing make-up.
Toner: Purpose of a toner is to remove traces of oil and make-up and correct and balance the PH of your skin, it can be applied using a cotton pad or sprayed onto the face. Some toners can also address other concerns such as help removing surface dead skin cells, or shrinking the appearance of pores. Toner is especially good for skin that is prone to acne and oil problems.
Serum: A serum is a lightweight moisturizer, usually meant to target specific skin concerns such as wrinkles, acne, dullness, or a number of many others. Serums deliver active ingredients by penetrating deeper into the skin. Most serums are meant to be applied twice a day. For your morning skincare routine, it is best to use an antioxidant serum that contains vitamin C and E this will help increase the effectiveness of your sunscreen.
Eye Cream: A moisturizer or serum for the delicate skin around the eye area. They are formulated to address specific issues such as fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness some may even take care of more than one issue. If you wear concealer I recommend finding one that plays well with it. Some eye creams might by to oily to wear under makeup.
Moisturizer: Are meant to hydrate your skin, protect it from the elements and prevent it from drying out. Most moisturizers are created for specific skin types, some are also made for day or night. A note about moisturizers that contain SPF. Although it is nice to save steps in your skin routine, and some SPF is better than none. The fact is that you would never put on enough of it to get the coverage that is stated on the bottle. To truly protect your skin you should use a sunscreen separate from your moisturizer.
Sunscreen: Sun protection is an absolute must. It not only protects your skin from the harmful rays of the sun but it also is one of the best steps to take against wrinkles and aging skin. You will want to look for a sunscreen that protects you from UVA, UVB, and HEV (blue light) rays. Blue light or HEV is the light that we are exposed to when we are in front of and so close to our computers, tablets, and cell phone. The minimum amount of SPF you should be using on your face should be 30. There are two types of sunscreens to choice from Chemical and Physical (Mineral). According to Dermatologist Dr. Desjarlais a “Chemical sunscreen also called organic is made up of compounds, such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, ostisalate, and avobenzone, which create a chemical reaction and work by changing UV rays into heat, then releasing that heat from the skin.” Physical sunscreen is made up of minerals. The main active ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, Physical sunblock sits on top of the skin and deflects the sun’s rays.
Conclusion
The lotions and potions won’t work if they are sitting on your counter and not being used. As I said before, consistency is the key. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to see a difference when using a product. This is a simple and basic daily morning routine that will only take you about 5 minutes. These steps will help protect your skin and prepare it if you choose to wear makeup, and with the daily routine, in place, you should see improvement in your skin’s health and appearance.
AM-SKIN-ROUTINEIf you liked and found this article useful please share it with family and friends. This is a great article for anyone who is interested in skincare. I will be writing some more articles on skincare including the next article which will be a night time skincare routine. If you have questions on this article or any other post Please leave a comment.
