Having a daily skin care routine is fundamental to enjoy a healthy, beautiful and glowing skin. The hardest part, though, is not to follow the regime but to know how to follow it. With so many products ready to be applied and promising endless benefits it can be difficult to understand what should go first and what should go last to ensure their efficiency.
Skin care routine in the morning: order and steps
Having a set order for your skin routine is important on many levels. It will be harder for you to mistakenly skip a step and forget about a product, for instance.
However, this importance stems from the fact that some ingredients present in these creams and treatments can condition the absorption and effect of others. For instance, emollient creams create a protective barrier over the skin to prevent water from escaping, but they also prevent any nutrients from entering it if you apply a different cream afterwards.
1. Cleanser
Wash your face with water to remove any traces of products applied the evening before as well as any impurities or sweat accumulated through the night.
Depending on your skin type and particularities you may also want to a gentle cleanser in this step.
2. Toner (Optional)
Modern alcohol-free toners can provide the skin with an extra cleansing effect while depositing antioxidants and vitamins on the top layer. However, most cleansers nowadays already deliver these nutrients to the skin too, rendering toners optional in these cases.
If you choose to use a toner, pay great attention to the type of skin or skin issues it is intended to.
3. Antioxidant serum
Serums are highly concentrated and designed to address specific skin issues. Using them first will ensure a proper absorption and efficiency of the formula.
For daytime, antioxidant serums are some of the best as they offer protection throughout the day against the effect of pollutants and sun rays.
4. Eye cream
Eye creams with SPF support the more sensitive and weak skin around the eyes, ensuring strong eyelids as opposed to droopy, and fewer dark circles and wrinkles.
The refreshing effect of these creams also helps to reduce any puffing or swelling under the eyes, which in turn will make your makeup much more effective.
5. Spot treatment
While you were applying the eye cream, your skin already had time to absorb the serum you applied before. Prescribed medications or treatments (e.g. for acne) also need to be applied as close to the skin as possible and they are the next step.
However, always check with your dermatologist where you should insert your spot treatments within your skin care routine. Ingredients may vary considerably and some can affect the efficiency the succeeding steps.
6. Moisturizer
Applying a moisturizer every morning is fundamental regardless of your skin type. While the serums target specific issues, the moisturizer will support the overall well-being of the skin. It will nourish it, moisturize it and leave it generally stronger to face the daily aggressions.
Individuals with oily skins should also apply a moisturizer, albeit appropriate for their skin types. The excessive release of sebum is often a skin strategy to try to overcome its own dryness.
7. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is more than a step in your skin care routine, it’s mandatory. It is one of the most important tips to prevent aging signs, damages to the skin and to reduce the risk of skin disorders or diseases such as cancer.
It should also be the last step as it creates a protective coat over the skin and inhibits the absorption of other nutrients.
Skin care routine: what changes at night
The order of a skin care routine is linked to the effect of each product. Therefore, the same structure applies also at night, with minor adjustments.
Step 1 – Cleanser: consider doing a double-cleansing to ensure all traces of makeup and impurities caught throughout the day are removed.
Step 2 – Toner: the toner remains optional at night, but it’s also more necessary. It will help remove any traces of makeup and other impurities left by the cleanser.
Step 3 – Eye cream
Step 4 – Serums and specific treatments: avoid applying them all at once or you might irritate the skin. Instead, take a case by case approach and choose the one(s) your skin needs that night in particular.
Step 5 – Moisturizer/night cream
Beauty tips for your daily skin care routine
Following a beauty routine also have its tricks. To enhance its results or if you need to add more steps, read below some tips that will help you.
Give the products enough time of absorption
Some products even suggest waiting up to 30 minutes before moving to the next step!
Although this might not be feasible for an everyday routine when the time is short, you should at least wait a few minutes before moving up the steps to ensure absorption.
Keep it simple
The more complex the routine, the less likely you are to follow through with it. Besides, applying too many products can be counterproductive and reduce the efficiency of the many active agents as well as increase the risk of irritation.
Include an exfoliator once or twice a week
Exfoliating provides an extra support in eliminating debris, impurities and dead skin cells that might clog the pores and increase the risk of inflammation. You should, however, avoid doing it more than twice a week or you might strain and dry the skin too much.
Exfoliation should be included in your nightly beauty routine as step number 2, after the cleanser.
Facial masks for a boost
If your skin is dry or you feel it needs a boost, be it to detoxify or to provide extra hydration, you can apply a facial mask at night. Some masks intended for radiance and a glowing skin can also be applied in the morning to give your skin a healthy glow without needing too much makeup.
These masks should go after the serums or specific treatments and before the moisturizer.
