What Is A Routine?
According to Webster, a routine is a usual order and way of doing something, something that is performed as part of a regular procedure or a fixed program. A skincare routine is meant to be repetitive. The best way to see results is to be consistent, repetitive, and committed.
A typical skincare routine usually consists of a certain number of steps/processes in the morning and at night. A two-step process is cleansing and moisturizing. A three-step process could be using a cleanser, an exfoliator/mask, and a moisturizer.
Whichever number of steps in the process fits your lifestyle is the one you should commit to doing. Click the picture below to see how I use my Skin Confidence Set to create my routine.
When to apply skincare products?
The biggest thing to remember is that the order in which we apply products is incredibly important since it determines which ingredients are actually absorbed. A good rule of thumb is to apply from thin to thick, starting with water-based products and building up to heavier creams.
We can further break your face routine down into two regimens: daytime and nighttime. The main goal of your daytime skincare routine is to protect your skin from the sun, free radicals, and other elements. To create the most beneficial face routine, you should use the following six products in this order:
- Cleanser
- Toner (optional)
- Serum
- Eye Cream
- Moisturizer
- SPF (daytime)
DAYTIME
Step 1: Cleanser
If you have normal skin types, start your day off with a gentle cleanser. Dry skin types should use a creamy formula and oily skin types should choose a gently foaming cleanser. Apply the cleanser of your choice in an upwards, circular motion, followed by a few splashes of warm water.
Step 2: Toner
Toners were originally created to help rebalance the skin’s pH after cleansing with harsh soaps. Fortunately, there are so many gentler options today that this step is entirely optional.
Step 3: Serum
Serums are a super-concentrated way to deliver antioxidants to the skin. Choose your serum based on your skin’s needs. If you’re applying several different serums, start with the lightest texture before layering on thicker formulas.
Step 4: Eye Cream
Regular use of eye cream can help improve or prevent fine lines in the delicate eye area. Squeeze a bit of the serum onto your fingertips, massage around and under the eye, and use your ring finger to tap in any excess product.
Step 5: Moisturizer
Those with dry skin aren’t the only ones who need MOISTURE! While our skin naturally lubricates itself by producing oil, we could all use some extra hydration. Just choose a moisturizer that matches your needs. Those with normal to dry skin should massage on a richer cream formula, paying special attention to dry patches. Oily or more sensitive skin types should look for a lighter moisturizer.
Step 6: SPF
Now that you’ve cleansed, toned, treated, and moisturized, the best treat you can give your skin is sun protection. Look for a formula with an SPF of at least 30.
NIGHT TIME
Once you’re in for the evening, your nighttime skincare routine should be all about treating ongoing issues, from acne to dry skin to signs of aging. Your nighttime face routine is extremely important as it cleans your face of all the impurities and dirt you encountered throughout your day. To complete your nighttime face routine, you should use the following products in this order:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Treatments, if any
- Eye Cream
- Moisturizer
Now let’s break down these steps a little further to understand the process and benefits of each better:
Step 1: Remove Makeup and Cleanse
LISTEN UP! Be sure to remove your makeup before your head hits the pillow, literally.
Step 2: Toners, Essences, Boosters
If you like to use a toner, facial mist or essence, apply it now before moving on to serums. As you layer products, remember to apply from lightest to heaviest, but also remember that you don’t have to include every step every day! Choose your serums and boosters based on what your skin needs.
Step 3: Treatments
Apply these formulas before moisturizing so they’re able to sink effectively into your skin.
Step 4: Eye Cream
If you didn’t do this step in the morning, consider eye cream one of your nightly VIPs. Use your eye cream to give your delicate eye skin a little TLC before bed.
Step 5: Moisturizer
Using a moisturizer for your skin type is key for gaining and keeping a healthy glow.
