The Best Morning Skincare Routine

Let’s FACE it. We all want glowing, radiant skin. Although we might all have different skin types, there are a few basic principles in the Skincare Bible that are important for all of us to follow. Today, we’re giving you the answers to your morning skincare routine prayers.

Goodnight, Glow Right

The best morning skincare routine actually starts the night before. Raise your hand if you’re guilty of sleepily falling face-down into a pillow without washing your face? (It happens to the best of us.) As tempting as it may be to skip sudsing up, falling asleep with a full face of makeup is one of the worst things you can do for your skin. Your skin uses nighttime to recover from the stress of the day, and leaving that foundation or smokey eye on overnight can clog pores. Take at least 30 seconds before bed to wash your face with a gentle cleanser. If you feel like getting a bit fancy, use an alcohol-free toner and a serum with hyaluronic acid to make your skin glow. Finish off with a moisturizing night cream. This five-minute pre-bed routine will give you morning glory vibes to start your day. For those nights when you just can’t even deal, keep a stash of oil-free makeup remover wipes by your bedside. At least this way, you won’t be tempted to sleep with those eyelashes on.

Rise and Shine Babe

Want to wake up with that envy-worthy morning glow? Here are a few skincare steps to get you ready to face the day.

1. Cleanse.

   Even if you washed up the night before, starting your morning with a fresh face is important. Gently cleanse with a paraben-free face soap to wash off all the dirt, oil and bacteria that accumulated on your skin overnight. When choosing a cleanser, be sure to pick one specifically for your skin type, like oily, dry, or sensitive. 

2. Exfoliate.

   Revitalize your skin and remove dead cells by adding this step to your morning skincare routine two to three times per week. (Oily skin can be exfoliated a little more frequently, while dry skin may only be able to handle one exfoliation each week.)

3. Tone.

   Use a toner after you cleanse to close your pores and balance your skin’s PH. This is especially beneficial for our babes with sensitive and oily skin.

4. Moisturize.

   Moisturizing is basically the golden rule of having great skin. Not only does it feel luxurious to apply, but it helps your skin stay hydrated. A good quality cream also builds a barrier against future damage. Look for non-greasy and non-comedogenic formulas.

5. Protect.

   Wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots, hell no! A morning skincare routine is not complete without a final layer of SPF. Applying sunscreen should be a key step in your daily routine. Bonus points if you use a moisturizer and SPF in one!

After completing all of these steps, it’s time to start on that glow-up makeup.

How about some bonus advice? Check out more skincare tips below!

Clean Your Tools

When was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? If you’re too ashamed to answer, then listen up. We don’t mean to gross you out, but if you think about how frequently you use your brushes (and how infrequently you wash them), you can only imagine how much dirt and bacteria is hanging out on your kabuki brush. Lucky for you, it is super easy to clean your brushes with a brush cleanser or simply some warm water and baby shampoo. Just make sure you let the brushes dry thoroughly by either hanging the brushes with their bristles pointing down or laying them on their side on the bathroom sink.

Mask Up

Every now and then, your skin loves to be pampered too! For a glowing skin routine, use a face mask one to two times per week to target your unique skin needs. If you have oily skin, a mask with ingredients like clay and charcoal can help clear impurities from your pores. If you want to combat dryness, products that contain hyaluronic acid can help with hydration. If anti-aging is your thing, then look for a mask that contains antioxidants, Vitamin C, and Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids that will help improve clarity and protect your skin from future damage. Whichever you choose, make sure to avoid products that contain parabens, synthetic fragrances, and phthalates. Remember that your skin is your largest organ, so try to use clean beauty products whenever possible!

Who Runs the World? Curls!

You might be wondering what this section is doing in a morning skin routine article, but hear us out, curly girls! If you aren’t pre-pooing your natural curls, listen up. Pre-poo natural hair that’s soft and curly, as it helps retain the key natural oils that keep those curls intact and frizz-free. It can also help your hair retain moisture that ordinary shampoo would take away. For those who struggle with dandruff, pre-poo can be a Godsend as it helps moisturize your scalp and avoid those pesky flakes. Many pre-poo fanatics also recommend leaving the treatment in overnight for an extra kick of moisture. Just make sure you put your hair in a braid or bun and cover it with a shower cap to protect your sheets from getting messy.

Stay Consistent

One of the main things dermatologists recommend is to stay consistent with your skincare routine. All the Botox and facials in the world won’t help your skin if you don’t take care of it regularly. Also, do your body and your skin a major favor and drink lots of water.

As you can see, having a great morning skincare routine is so much more than just washing your face in the morning - it is really a lifestyle! What’s your favorite skincare product? Let us know your morning skincare routine in the comments below or on our IG!