Most people don’t know it, but your skin needs different products when it comes to morning and night. In the morning you need to get your skin prepped for the day, and at the end of the day, you need to pamper your skin after what it went through that day. This blog will go into the steps of a morning skincare routine, and in which order you should apply them, so you are using your products in the most effective way. Be sure to check out our 5 Skin Types Blog to find out what skin type you have and what products would best fit your skin.
Cleanse
Washing your face is the most basic and essential step of any routine, cleansing your face before applying your products helps to prevent your pores from getting clogged from makeup build up or anything else that you put on your skin regularly Cleanser comes in two forms: water-based and oil-based. A water-based cleanser is good for those with oily or acne-prone skin types as it rinses away dirt and pollution, along with natural oils that your skin creates. An oil-based cleanser is the opposite, this is used for hydrating your skin, leaving it soft and moisturised, so people with dry skin predominantly use this product.
Toner
Presented in a liquid form, and usually in an atomizer (like ours! - Rose Water/Witch Hazel), a toner may be infused with skin-soothing ingredients like peppermint and aloe. Usually, you will be able to find them with different formulas, specially made for different skin types. A toner gently refreshes your skin without stripping it of its natural moisture, meaning that it shouldn’t irritate sensitive skin or cause dryness. There are many other benefits to using a toner such as;
- Tightens your pores
- Restores pH level of your skin
- Removes traces of dirt, grime and impurities stuck in your pores.
Extra Step – Spot Treatment
This is a little extra step in between your Toner and Serum if you choose to, and that’s applying any spot treatment, which could be a patch or cream, and/or a face mask. It’s important to know that if you do have acne prone skin, don’t use rough pads or scrub aggressively, as this will irritate your skin more. If you use a prescribed cream, remember that it can take some treatments at least 6 weeks to work, so if you don’t think you’re seeing any results after this time, we recommend that you go back to your doctor.
Serum
A serum is a lightweight product that contains a high concentration of active ingredients. Due to its ingredients, a serum can hydrate more effectively than even the heaviest creams, as the molecules can penetrate the skin and hydrate all layers, compared to the cream which just sits on the top layers. It’s important to recognise that there are different types of serums to achieve different types of goals such as:
- Anti-aging serums
- Skin-brightening serums
- Hydrating serums
- Free-radical fighting serums
- Acne-prone and sensitive serums
- Reparative/texture serums
So as always, we recommend that you get to know your skin type so you can pick the one perfect for your skin with the ingredients your skin may need.
Eye Cream
The skin around your eyes tends to be thinner and more sensitive, allowing this part of your face to be more prone to signs of aging, including fine lines, puffiness, and darkness. Eye cream may not be necessary for everyone but for those who notice changes under their eyes, they are recommended. If you find that you have sensitive skin, a product that is branded as an all-round face moisturiser, may cause irritation around your eyes. By including an eye cream into your skincare routine, you can find the right one for your skin type. It’s ok for you to use Eye Cream at night too, but we recommend that if you use one in the morning, that you use one with SPF to prevent sun damage and wrinkles.
- Do remember that eye bags and/or dark circles can be hereditary, so an eye cream may not do much!
Moisturiser
Moisturisers are a must have in any skincare routine as they are there to help you put hydration into your skin but to also keep hydration locked into your skin. Moisturising can also work hand in hand with combatting a variety of skin issues, from acne to blemishes to wrinkles. A moisturiser should be used every day to ensure that your skin cells are healthy, and rejuvenated, while also minimising irritation and dryness.
Sunscreen
One product that dermatologists always agree on is that you should wear sunscreen. If you think your foundation has SPF in it, it tends to be a tiny amount – for it to be effective, you’d need to apply a lot. A make-up product that contains SPF should be viewed as a supplement to your sunscreen, not a replacement. A lot of people don’t know this but when your bottle says ‘SPF 15’ it means you’re only protected against the sun for 15 minutes, so we recommend always buying one with a high SPF. While skincare products vary from person to person, it’s important to use the products effectively to help them work for your skin. The key to maintaining healthy skin involves just a few minutes in the morning to help re-nourish your skin. It’s important to do research about your own skin type so you can pick the products that cater to you. Check out our Basic Skincare Routine Blog if you’re looking for a routine that is a bit quicker!