Doing your morning skincare routine feels like a reset to your face as it is the time to refresh and eliminate all the build-up from the night before. As tired as you are, your morning skincare routine is a must after you wake up because we don’t want our face exposed to bad things that could lead us to break out.
A skincare lover might be more prone to having a multi-step routine and layering many products to achieve great skin, which is very impressive. However, it is not realistic for everyone as they need to get ready and head out the door for work or any schedules.
Additional steps such as exfoliating and face masks can be done sparingly but going back to the basics is essential for your routine. Plus, there are days when you make skincare mistakes and do not take care of your skin as you should. So, we will help you build an effective and efficient morning skincare routine with just seven steps!
1. Cleanser
Start off your morning skincare routine with a clean slate by using a gentle cleanser to remove the unwanted dirt and excess sebum on your face. When cleansing, use circular motions around the face for approximately 60 seconds to ensure your face is thoroughly cleansed.
Choosing a cleanser based on your skin type is something to be noted because you want the product to work on you effectively. A gentle cleanser works best as it does not strip the moisture out of your skin and keeps your pH balanced. However, if your skin is super dry, you can skip using a cleanser and just splash your face with water to dampen your skin and prepare for the second step of the skincare routine.
2. Toner
The second step is to use a toner to help restore your skin’s pH and prep your skin before moving to other products. In addition, there are toner ingredients that help unclog your pores so products will be well absorbed.
To apply, put a good amount of toner onto a cotton pad, lightly sweep it across your face, and let it absorb for a few seconds before putting on the following product. Some toners can dry out your skin as they target active pimples, eventually making your skin red and blotchy. Always do a little research before purchasing toners because we don’t want any irritation to your skin.
3. Serum
Serums are like a booster for your face, packed with many amazing ingredients to help enhance your skin and make it look healthy. A great thing about serums is that they specifically target your skin concerns such as dullness, anti-ageing, acne prone, hydration and much more.
This step requires attention as you want the serum to be evenly spread out and massaged into your face so the product will absorb nicely. You can layer it with other serums with different purposes and formulas. However, choose one that works best for you for a quick morning routine, and you are good to go.
4. Eye Cream
The skin beneath our eyes is thin and delicate, so it is important to focus on that area and give some love to them. While some think eye creams are a fancy term for moisturiser, we believe that applying them will reduce fine lines, eyebags, and dark circles, as well as maintain the hydration.
The best way to apply is by using your ring finger as it has the lightest touch, and lightly tap it around your eyes to avoid premature wrinkles. You can start using eye cream in your 20s to make it a consistent routine so, in the future there, your eyes will still look youthful. Your older self will definitely be thankful for this, and who doesn’t want to look young forever?
5. Moisturiser
Next, to seal all of your products, use a good moisturiser with ingredients that will benefit your skin. This step is crucial as moisturisers help your skin barrier stay healthy and lock in moisture to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. If your skin is oily, we recommend using a gel-based face moisturiser as it is light and will not sit on your face. As for dry skin, a cream consistency moisturiser will do the trick.
When applying your moisturiser, you will only need a nickel-sized amount for your whole face because putting too much will tend to make your face oily and even break out. Also, it is advisable to see if your moisturiser works well with makeup because the last thing we want is pilling. It can be a hassle to redo your makeup again, so find out your skin type and what works for you!
6. Sunscreen
It should be illegal to go out without sunscreen because the sun’s rays can be harmful to your skin. It should be the last step of your morning skincare routine. After moisturising, you should apply sunscreen as the SPF will help protect you from the sun and prevent any dark spots on your face.
Sunscreens reflect the UV rays and help prevent your skin from developing dangerous conditions like skin cancer. Besides that, if you expose your skin without any protection, fine lines and hyperpigmentation will eventually be caught up with your skin. Therefore, apply sunscreen even if you are not going out and reapply it every 2 hours so your skin will always be protected from the harsh rays.
7. Lip Balm
People often skip lip balm in their skincare routine- and while drinking water helps hydrate your skin and lips, adding a lip balm wouldn’t hurt. There are lip balms with SPF these days, as your lips also need protection from the sun. Not only does it help with chapped lips and bring hydration, but some offer a little colour which will instantly brighten up your face. You can easily place your lip balm in your handbag before heading out and reapply it to amp up the moisture on your lips throughout the day.
These simple 7 steps will eventually help reform and build a skincare routine that you will consistently use. First and foremost, however, make sure you do your basic skincare routine and try out what optional steps will potentially enhance your routine!
