The Simple Morning Skincare Routine for Beginners
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Skincare has become such a big topic in the past few years. But with all the different information floating around, and the constant barrage of new products, gadgets, and fads, it can be hard to figure out what skincare steps are actually necessary, and what is the ideal skincare routine for YOU.
I’ve been there. Like many, I’ve felt overwhemed and experienced decision paralysis when faced with the sheer number of products available, and often fell into the trap of believing that using more skincare products = better skincare (not true!).
But after a lot of research, and a TON of trial and error, I finally found a simple skincare routine that works, which is what I’m sharing with you! Keep in mind that everyone’s skin is different, so there isn’t a single skincare routine or product that will work the same for everyone. However, I hope that this can serve as a general guideline to help get you started on your own journey towards healthy and beautiful skin. ✨
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing:
The easy morning skincare routine to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy throughout the day
Product recommendations for each step of the skincare routine (as well as some skincare set recs)
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the skincare information and products out there, and you’re looking for an easy routine to get started on your skin care journey, you’ve come to the right place!
The Importance of Having a Morning Skincare Routine
A morning skincare routine is important for several reasons:
Cleansing: Overnight, your skin can accumulate oils, sweat, and debris. A morning cleanse helps remove these impurities, preventing clogged pores and ensuring your skin is fresh and ready for the day.
Protection: Morning routines often include the application of sunscreen. Sunscreen is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, which can lead to premature aging and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Hydration: Applying a moisturizer in the morning helps maintain your skin's hydration levels. Even if you have oily skin, it’s important to use a lightweight moisturizer to keep your skin balanced and prevent excessive oil production.
Preparation for Makeup: A good skincare routine creates a smooth and even base for makeup, making it last longer and look better throughout the day.
Boosting Skin Health: Many morning routines include products with antioxidants or other beneficial ingredients that help protect against environmental stressors, improve skin texture, and promote overall skin health.
Routine and Consistency: Establishing a morning routine helps create a consistent habit, which can lead to better long-term results for your skin. Regular care can address specific concerns like aging, acne, or dryness more effectively.
Overall, a morning skincare routine helps maintain and improve skin health, protect against daily environmental damage, and prepare your skin for the day ahead.
The Skincare Routine
Following a morning skincare routine plays a vital role in maintaining your skin’s vitality and radiance. Luckily, it only takes a couple of steps:
Cleanse (or rinse with water): As mentioned above, washing your face in the morning can help remove dirt, bacteria, sweat, and oil that can build up while you sleep. It also wets your skin and prepares it for products.
One thing I noticed for myself was that using a cleanser in the morning was a bit too harsh / drying for my skin, so I switched to simply rinsing with water. Do whatever works best for you and your skin.
Toner: Toners are a valuable addition to your morning skincare routine as they help restore and maintain your skin’s natural pH balance after cleansing. They can also help prepare your skin to better absorb subsequent skincare products, such as serums and moisturizers, enhancing their effectiveness.
Toners often contain ingredients that address different skincare concerns. When choosing yours, look for one that suits your skin type and needs. For example, hydrating toners are great for dry skin, while those with exfoliating acids may benefit oily or acne-prone skin.
Serum: Serums are potent products, formulated to offer targeted treatments to help improve your skin’s health and appearance. They typically contain a high concentration of active ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides that target specific skin concerns more effectively than other skincare products.
The lightweight and fast-absorbing nature of serums allows them to penetrate deeper into the skin compared to heavier creams or moisturizers, ensuring that the active ingredients can reach the deeper layers of your skin where they can be most effective. Using a serum in the morning can help make sure that your skincare routine is working for you throughout the day.
Moisturizer / Sunscreen: Moisturizer and sunscreen are crucial components of a morning skincare routine… and the best part is that they can often be rolled into a single product!
Moisturizer keeps your skin hydrated and protected by creating a barrier that helps seal in the products you’ve applied and prevent water loss. Sunscreen is a MUST in the morning as it shields your skin from UV damage and the risk of skin cancer. Together, they provide comprehensive protection and care, enhancing your skin’s health and appearance over time.
One thing to note is that the order matters when applying your skincare products. A general rule of thumb is to apply products from lightest to heaviest as this helps the ingredients properly penetrate the skin. The routine above tends to follow this guideline.
Once you get comfortable with this skincare routine, you can feel free to change it up as you see fit. For example, sometimes I use two different serums in the morning depending on what my skin needs. And because my skin tends to get dry easily, sometimes I’ll throw in a facial oil during the winter months to help seal in moisture.
That’s part of the fun of skin care…you get to customize it however you want!
And now to the fun stuff… Product Recommendations 🙌
Cleansers
This is a super gentle, daily face wash with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin to help hydrate skin and repair the skin barrier without stripping moisture.
It has a lotion-like consistency that feels light on the skin as it helps removes makeup, dirt, and excess oil.
This is a gentle, foaming facial cleanser that promotes radiance and helps supplement skin’s essential minerals.
It has a creamy, luxurious texture that glides onto the skin. I can really feel how clean my skin is after use.
Toners
This is a highly concentrated essence toner that is made up of only 7 ingredients and penetrates deeply into the skin to provide intensive hydration.
The texture is slightly more viscous than water, but still super light, and it absorbed so well into my skin. I’ve gone through several bottles of this goodness.
This is a milky toner that feels refreshing on the skin and leaves it looking radiant. Formulated with ceramides and peptides, it helps nourish and strengthen skin's moisture barrier.
Serums
Since serums are formulated to target different skin concerns, it’s hard to generally suggest some products. However, here are two that I enjoyed that help with skin hydration and overall even complexion.
I LOVE this serum. Formulated with Propolis and Niacinamide, it keeps the skin hydrated, while improving skin tone and helping reduce the appearance of pores. It also helps with inflammation and managing sebum production.
I definitely felt like my skin was glowing after using this.
This is a great, no frills, affordable serum for beginners. The Niacinamide helps even out the skin’s appearance and reduce signs of congestion, while offering skin brightening effects.
Sunscreens
This sunscreen is SPF40 and offers both UVA and UVB protection. It is suitable for all skin types, and is enriched with rice extract to help moisturize and hydrate the skin.
*This is currently one of my favorites because it’s not too thick, has no scent, and absorbs extremely easily into skin without leaving any white cast.
This sunscreen is SPF 30, and has a superlight zinc oxide formula that physically blocks UVA/UVB rays to protect your skin on the daily.
I love this one because it goes on super smoothly, and its texture and green tint acts somewhat like a primer.
Once I implemented this skincare routine into my life, I was able to see a notable difference in the look and feel of my skin. From there I was able to get a better understanding of what works and doesn’t work with my skin, skincare in general, and how to tailor my routine to meet my needs. When I’m on the go, or if I need a reset to my skin, I still fall back on this routine, and it always helps me get my skin back on track. It was the routine that launched me in my skin care journey, and I hope it can be the same for you.
But as I previously mentioned, everyone’s skin is different, so I urge you to be patient as you discover what is best for you.
Best of luck on your skin care journey! 💙
Skincare Set Recommendations
If you don’t want to select individual skincare products (hello decision paralysis!), a skin care set could be a good option for you. Below are three that I’ve tried and enjoyed. They’re all gentle on the skin (i.e., great for skincare newbies), but still effective.
