Are you feeling bombarded by all the natural skincare recommendations and products? You’re probably not alone. But don’t worry, your daily skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, depending on how much time you have in the morning and your skin care goals, anywhere from 3 to 10 steps are totally fine.
Having a good skincare routine is about more than simply washing your face (especially if you have sensitive skin). What’s more, did you know that developing a skin care routine is more than how to apply products? The order you apply these products in is just as important as the products themselves.
Let’s take a look at what a good skincare routine looks like for all skin types. We’ll run through tips for oily skin, acne-prone skin, dry skin, and sensitive skin, too.
Why is a good skincare routine so essential?
It is highly likely that you have heard the adage, “Your skin is your body’s largest organ”. Aside from it being the largest organ, it is also the first line of defense against exposure to harmful elements like pollution and UV rays. This is exactly why it is essential to take good care of your skin. High quality skin care products could potentially help reduce signs of aging, prevent blemishes, and maintain a healthy complexion. Whether you want to deal with an issue like acne or just hold off the aging process, the right skin care products can help.
You most likely already know that a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine are important for vibrant, glowing skin. But these things can’t make up for the damage you do to your face every time you choose to skip a wash. In fact, poor skin care routines can even accelerate the premature aging process.
What should my morning skincare routine be?
Your skin is your most important asset, it is not only your first line of defense but it is also constantly on show. Every day, it endures stress from the environment and that is why your skin will tell your age sooner than your calendar.
With so many options available, making sense of your skin care routine can seem all but impossible. Always wash your face first, or use serums to prep for moisturizer? Which order should you actually follow? How should you apply each product? Will skipping an essential step mess up your skin care game forever?
To help you better understand the basics of skin care routines, we’ve rounded up our best tips and tricks for creating a simple, easy skincare routine that works for you. You don’t need fancy skin care products or complicated step-by-step routines to achieve great skin. After all, you have a busy day ahead! All you need is a routine that is tailored to your personal skin care needs.
Quick Look
Looking for an easy fix? Here is a three step skincare routine that can work for almost any skin:
- Cleanse: Sometimes, dirt and residue can build up during the night. Cleansing your face in the morning helps to get rid of this.
- Moisturize: Giving your skin some hydration in the morning is always a good idea. Moisturizers can be in a gel or cream form.
- Sunscreen: Applying sunscreen in the morning is one of the best things you can do for your skin. Sometimes, your moisturizer will contain sunscreen already. But always give your skin barrier an extra bit of protection by applying extra sunscreen.
Above you have the summary of the simplest skincare routine that you could possibly find. Below, we take a more in depth look at what a natural skincare routine can be:
Step 1: Cleanse with with an oil-based cleanser
Does it sound counterintuitive to cleanse off excess oil by using an oil based cleanser? While it may sound counterintuitive to use oil to get rid of oil, let’s take a look at why it works so well.
- What is an oil-based cleanser?
An oil based cleanser is formulated to dissolve and essentially remove the excess oils that your skin produces. - How do you use it?
Well, this will essentially depend on which cleanser you have. Some work well with dry skin, others with water. Read the instructions on the bottle. - What you should know:
Check the ingredients on the bottle. A decent oil based cleanser will contain a balanced blend of emulsifiers, surfactants, and oils. Additionally, this type of cleanser should only be used for dry skin. If you have combination or oily skin then you should use a water-based cleanser.
Step 2: Cleanse with a water-based cleanser
Use this step as an alternative for oily or combination skin, or you can use this as an extra step after an oil-based cleanser.
A water-based cleanser typically contains mainly surfactants. These surfactants are particular ingredients to help water release sweat and other pollutants from the skin. These surfactants are also able to remove any oils that are left on the skin by an oil-based cleanser.
- How do you use a water-based cleanser?
Massage the cleanser onto damp skin. Rinse the cleanser off with water and dry your face with a soft towel. - Top Tip:
If your oil-based cleanser contains surfactants that are able to remove the dirt, then you don’t have to double cleanse. Also, if you have oily or combination skin then skip the first step and jump straight to your water-based cleanser.
Step 3: Apply an effective astringent or toner
A toner is formulated to get rid of dead skin cells while hydrating the skin. The astringent is formulated with alcohol to help with combating oil production.
- How do you use a toner or an astringent?
Use your astringent or a toner right after cleansing your face. You can either dab it straight onto your freshly cleaned face or apply a small amount on some cotton wool. - Why is a toner or astringent vital for a robust skincare routine?
Using a toner or an astringent formulated with alcohol helps to eliminate excess oil. When your skin produces an excessive amount of oil, your pores can become clogged which can lead to breakouts.
Step 4: Add in antioxidants with a high quality serum
Why are antioxidants important for your skin? Antioxidants can help your skin to feel supple and firm and using an antioxidant serum in your morning skincare routine can assist your skin to fend off harmful free radicals (which are highly unstable molecules) and other damaging factors.
If you want to retain a youthful glow for as long as possible, begin adding a serum to your routine. There are many excellent serums on the market, but ensure the active ingredients are organic before you make your selection. Serums are formulated to contain an incredibly high level of active ingredients such as vitamin C or E or even hyaluronic acid serums.
Step 5: Spot treatment
If you have acne or a blemish, place a tiny amount of specifically formulated spot treatment on the affected area. To do so, first wipe away any residual product with a cotton swab, dab a tiny amount on the affected area and allow it to dry.
Step 6: Apply eye cream
Eye cream helps the thinner skin found directly beneath the eyes to retain its youthfulness and help to remediate dark spots or patches that usually appear underneath the eyes. Apply a small amount and gently tap into the skin.
Step 7: Apply a light face oil
This step isn’t necessarily essential so you are more than welcome to skip it. However, if you are experiencing signs of dehydrated skin (such as intense dryness and flaky skin) then applying an oil such as Rosehip oil can be highly beneficial.
Step 8: Apply moisturizer
A moisturizer offers your skin intense hydration, however if your skin is typically oily then you might find that your serum and toner offers sufficient hydration. A gel or fluid based moisturizer is the optimum type for those with oiler complexions. If your skin is typically drier, then a balm or a cream is the ideal option as they provide the best moisturizing effect, whereas combination skin types should opt for a thicker cream.
The final step: Sunscreen
Sunscreen is quite possibly the most critical element in a morning skincare routine. Excessive exposure to the sun’s harmful rays can promote premature aging as well as present an increased risk to skin cancer. While many moisturizers are formulated with SPF coverage, it is vital for your skin’s health for you to add an extra layer of protection.
Remember, never place any skin products on top of the sunscreen as this will diminish the sunscreen’s effectiveness. That said, using the right products is an incredibly important part of developing a healthy skincare routine, so it is essential you factor in aspects such as organic and cruelty free ingredients as well as avoid harsh chemicals (such as chemical exfoliants), especially for those with sensitive skin.
Take the time to evaluate your current products and fill your bathroom shelves with quality products that will offer your skin intense hydration, protection as well as support. Try our Canzon range today and start your journey towards developing a skincare routine that your skin will love.
