Hey gorgeous! Let’s be honest – we all aspire to have beautiful, flawless skin that shines in the mirror. However, creating the perfect morning skincare routine can be quite challenging. It would be both economically and physically impossible to try out all the beauty products available on the market for the best fit, as there are simply too many of them. Therefore, to narrow down the choices, we rely on beauty bloggers. They play a significant role in helping us navigate the vast world of skin care, introducing us to new products, and delving deeper into the complexities of a good skincare routine.
On a flip side, when you need practical advice, sifting through endless videos on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube can be overwhelming. Beauty bloggers often contradict each other in their advice and product recommendations. Many routines they share are way too sophisticated for daily use, while others, though beautifully filmed, may in contrast lack some essential detail. But, the most important question of all is who can you really trust?
How to Pick the Right Morning Skincare Routine for a Beginner
It’s wonderful to seek advice from beauty bloggers for your morning routine and to stay current with the latest trends. However, if you are just starting to craft your ultimate morning skincare routine, don’t get discouraged by the complexity of some routines other girls follow, as sometimes less is more and it is not the complexity but the consistency that matters in the long run. It is also important not to copy favorite bloggers’ routines blindly as they can to remember to consult with a dermatologist for personalized advice. Only a doctor can provide tailored advice to help you achieve your best skin. This step should not be neglected, especially if you have problematic skin or if your skin requires special care or treatment.
My Morning Skin Care Routine Any Girs Can Adopt
It took me years of experimenting with different approaches and advice from my dermatologist, to come up with a simple, four-step routine that works wonders and that I’m about to share with you today. It’s straightforward and universal. Eventually, not only does my dermatologist approve of this but says that every girl (or boy), regardless of skin type, can follow these steps and feel gorgeous. For instance, my boyfriend and I have different skin types, so we use different products, but he also follows the exact same steps in his morning self-care routine and his skin always looks perfect. So, feel free to try it with your loved one, too! Just make sure to adjust the product selection to correspond to their skin type.
The best part? This routine takes only five minutes. While there are plenty of 10-12 step routines out there (and kudos to anyone who has the time for those!), I find them overwhelming during the weekdays. My mornings are busy, so I need something quick yet effective.
So, let me take you on a little tour of my tried and tested morning skincare routine. Let’s jump in!
Step 1: Face Washing and Cleansing
First things first: face washing. There are many tips on using ice, frozen cucumbers, cold masks, etc. Having tried this all, I prefer to keep it simple by washing my face with cold tap water and then wiping it with regular cosmetic tissue. Why no towels? Well, if you have your personal face towels perfectly looked after and you use them only for your face, then they can work. But if you share your bathroom and towels with your partner or other family members, it is best to stick to cosmetic tissues. This ensures that no unsolicited bacteria from a towel comes in contact with your face. And trust me, this simple step is more important than you might think when if comes to keeping your skin free of any rashes or irritations.
After face washing comes the big question: to cleanse or not to cleanse? I once used to cleanse my face every single morning to only notice that my skin became dry. After discussing with my dermatologist, we changed my routine. Now I apply a cleanser only if I use oily products or overnight masks during my night skincare routine. Washing away all-night products with a gentle, hydrating cleanser helps remove any leftover masks, excess oil, and impurities that accumulate while you sleep. For that purpose, I found a daily Exfoliating Melting Cleanser from Biotherm to be useful. It has a nice light fragrance and leaves your skin clean but not dry. Once making this change, my skin immediately felt more hydrated.
Step 2: Apply a Toner
Next up is the toner. A refreshing toner balances your skin’s pH and preps it for moisturizer. A good toner makes a big impact on your skin quality and, most importantly, how it feels. Think of it as the bridge between cleansing and hydration, ensuring your skin is ready to absorb all the goodness from your moisturizer. Today, there are many toners on the market, but currently, I stick to Babor Cleanformance Toner. This vitamin-rich toner absorbs in a few seconds, but the refreshing feeling lasts for hours. The only disadvantage is that not everyone likes the smell, but I love it – it reminds me of a carrot cake!
Step 3: Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
Moisturize your beautiful face! The feeling after applying moisturizer is incredible. Some might say, “I don’t need it; my skin is oily.” Even if your skin feels oily, moisturizing is essential. It locks in hydration, creating a protective barrier against environmental stressors. Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula that suits your skin type. Currently, I stick to ultra facial moisturizer from Kiehls.
In summer, I prefer a moisturizer with SPF to skip step 4 and save 2 more minutes. Since I love Kiehls’ ultra facial cream, I chose the same moisturizer but with SPF 30. Unlike most other moisturizers with SPF, this cream is not greasy and absorbs fast.
If you plan to apply makeup afterward, make sure your moisturizer is compatible with your foundation. To test the match, first apply a thin layer of moisturizer and wait a few minutes for it to fully absorb. Then, apply your foundation. If the foundation starts to peel off, consider changing your moisturizer or foundation, or using a primer as a bridge between them.
Step 4: Apply Sun Protection and Makeup if You Will
Lastly, but still importantly: use facial sun protection. Especially during the summer and strong sun exposure, sun protection plays a crucial role in preventing skin aging and keeping your face looking young. This step is also essential if you want to keep your skin wrinkle-free. There are many ways to protect your skin from sun exposure. As I mentioned earlier, you can apply a moisturizer or foundation with SPF protection. For busy girls who can’t go out without makeup, a foundation with SPF is a great idea to look perfect and in the meanwhile protect your skin.
I like to use foundations with a high sun protection factor (SPF). Korean products are the leaders in producing foundations with SPF protection. Let me share with you my favorite product, which I have been using for 5 years already. This is L’Ocean CC Cream with SPF 45. This color-correcting cream is a must-have product during the summer. With its wonderful light formula filled with collagen, the skin feels moisturized all day long and well-protected. Another great product is IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50. This cream covers skin perfectly and feels light, and with the range of shades, there’s something for every skin type.
It’s Time to Put All This Information into Action!
With this perfect, refreshed, moisturized, and protected face, you’re ready to rock it, babe! This speedy yet effective morning skincare routine is all you need to keep your skin shiny and flawless. Don’t forget, that the right order of product application plays a crucial role in achieving that glass skin. First, face washing and cleansing, then toning, moisturizing and lastly, sun protection. And remember, consistency is key. Especially if you are a beginner, going for too much complexity might result in inconsistency. So better pick fewer and simpler steps but make sure you can stick with them in the long run, and you’ll see that radiant glow you’ve always dreamed of.
Now go ahead, gorgeous, and conquer the day with your fabulous, fresh face! Let me know your thoughts or if you’ve tried this morning routine in the comments. Also, share your favorite products!
I have been doing my routine since I was 20 and now in my retirement years, I
have almost no wrinkles lol… or it’s just good genes !!
That’s fantastic to hear! It sounds like you’ve found a great routine that works well for you. A consistent skincare can certainly make a big difference over the years, and good genes are always a wonderful bonus! Thanks for sharing your experience! 😊