How to Create a Simple Skin Care Routine

A Guide to Building a Simple Skin Care Routine for the Day Time

When it comes to your skin, it is important to keep your skin healthy to maintain your appearance and your health. After all, your skin is the biggest organ in your body! But, starting a simple skin care routine may prove to be difficult when you first start off. Not only does the order of your product matters, the type of product you use at night and in the morning matters as well! Fear not! We’re here to set things straight and help you establish a simple skin care routine that is easy, travel-friendly, and nourishing for your skin!

This guide will cover a simple skin care routine for the morning. For a night time routine, click here!

Step 1: Cleansing

After waking up in the morning, it best to start off with cleansing your face. Many people like to start off with a gentle facial cleanser. If your skin feels tight after washing, your cleanser may be too harsh for your skin, as the tightness means that your skin is being stripped of its natural oils. You may be wondering, “but that’s a good thing, isn’t it?!” Stripping your skin of its natural oils can actually cause our skin to go into overproduction mode and produce too much oils in order to compensate. This is known as over-cleansing and it is a common issue when it comes to facial cleansing. Some people may also do a simple cleanse with water rather than use a gentle facial cleanser. Experiment and see which method your skin prefers!

Step 2: Toner

People tend to skip this step thinking that toners will dry out their skin. While this may be true in some regards, it really depends on the product you are using. Pay attention to your skin type in order to pick the best toner for your skin. For dry, sensitive, and mature skin types, it may be best to choose a hydrating toner that can help give your skin a boost in hydration! These skin types tend to have trouble keeping hydrated, so it is best to provide a hydrating layer for your skin. A toner with hyaluronic acid, glycerine, or other humectant ingredients can give you that hydrating boost. If your skin is more on the oily side, you still need to keep your skin hydrated, but a witch hazel toner can help cut down on some of the oils your skin is producing. Spray or apply your desired facial toner and pat the toner into your skin until fully absorbed.

Step 3: Moisturizer

After applying your lighter, hydrating layer, the next step is to add a heavier, moisturizing layer. A light carrier oil, such as jojoba oil or rosehip oil, can provide a light moisturizing barrier on your skin. If you prefer, you can also use a lotion, emulsion, gel, or cream on your skin. It may be in your best interest to use a product that isn’t too heavy (we want to use those at night!) as it may feel like too much on your skin. A moisturizing layer after a hydrating layer really helps seal in the hydration and helps prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which is a fancy term for losing water in your skin.

Step 4: Sunscreen

The last and most important step is to use SPF! This step is the most neglected step, but so important. Every day we are exposed to harmful UV rays that are damaging to our skin. Even on cloudy days, sunscreen is necessary since 80% of UV rays can pass through clouds. In areas of high altitudes, there is a higher chance of sunburn due to these UV rays.

In order to protect yourself from these UV rays, regular application of sunscreen is crucial. Damaged skin plays a part in rapid skin aging, sun spots, and dryness. It may even make it harder for your dark spots (hyperpigmentation) to disappear. Continuous exposure to UV rays can increase your chances of developing skin cancer, and our skin is the only defense from harmful environmental exposure. Help your skin help you!