Do you need a dedicated morning skincare routine? Tips for dehydrated, acne-prone skin
A solid morning skincare routine is key to keeping skin hydrated and protected all day, especially if you have skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation or dryness.
In this post, I’ll share how a customized morning skincare routine will benefit your skin, and which products I personally enjoy using in the AM.
Why is a morning skincare routine important?
Your skin will be exposed to a lot of things during the day — UV rays, dirt and oil buildup, makeup if you wear makeup, pollution, dry air and heat.
A dedicated morning skincare routine will refresh your skin after regenerating overnight and protect it from these elements, giving you hydrated and protected skin all day. You can also use certain hydrating products to get that ~glow~ we all want!
What morning skincare routine will work for your skin?
You want to cater the products you use in the morning to suit your skin type. The routine example I’m sharing works really well for my combination skin — which is oilier in some places and drier in others — but drier during the winter.
If your skin is on the drier side, try looking for a cream or non-foaming cleanser, serum and a thicker moisturizer to seal everything in. You may also want to opt for an SPF that has a creamier texture, instead of a lotion or liquid-type formula which tend to contain alcohols for that matte finish.
Read more: The best moisturizers for dry skin you need to try this winter
If your skin on the oilier side, you may want to try a gentle gel or foaming cleanser and a lighter moisturizer. Hydration is still key even if you have oily skin, since adequate water levels in your skin will actually help balance your skin and produce less oil over time.
If your skin is oily on the surface but feels tight, your skin might be dehydrated (like mine!), so hydration is especially important here.
I used to have pretty stubborn acne all throughout my teens and early 20s, sometimes cystic, but in the last year it’s really evened out. Now, I’m focusing on maintaining my skin and fading hyperpigmentation, or acne marks.
I still get clogged pores and breakouts here and there, but I don’t rely on my morning skincare routine to correct that. That’s where a nighttime skincare routine will come to the rescue, and I’ll share more on that in a future post!
Check out the video below for a step-by-step demo of my current morning skincare routine. All products are listed below the video!
Step 1: Gentle cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. Massage for 20-30 seconds and remove with a damp microfibre wash cloth. I get a pack from the dollar store or online.
Step 2: Hydrating or clarifying serum
If my skin’s breaking out or healing: Consonant Skincare Vitamin B3 + Zinc Serum.
If my skin’s clear but drier: Consonant Skincare HydrExtreme Hydration Boosting Serum. (Pricey, but the best hydrating serum I’ve tried!)
* You can use my affiliate code NICESKINDAYS for 10% off your entire Consonant Skincare order, on top of sales! *
Alternative hydrating serum: Vichy Mineral 89 Skin Booster.
I take one to two drops and massage into slightly damp skin.
Step 3: Moisturizer
Doctor Babor Cleanformance Moisture Glow Cream. This stuff is amazing at moisturizing without feeling heavy or greasy.
Step 4: Sunscreen (VERY important step!)
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Facial Sunscreen SPF 45. A chemical sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast or break me out.
Wearing at least SPF 30 every single day is a great habit to get into if you don’t already do this. Skin damage from the sun creeps up over time and is pretty much irreversible. Make sure to apply it rain or shine, summer or winter!
Optional Step: Toner or mist
Neogen Probiotics Youth Repair Mist. I’ll generally only use a mist or toner if I’ve waited too long before I move on to the next skincare step, and my skin has completely dried.
Especially if you’re using hyaluronic acid, you want to make sure you apply it on slightly damp skin, and then seal it while it’s still damp with a moisturizer. Because hyaluronic acid attracts water molecules, if you leave it to dry completely, it can actually cause transepidermal water loss and leave your skin drier.
Step 5: Lip balm to moisturize and protect
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (my fave lip balm!) or Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm (I have the shade Red Dahlia right now).
And that’s it! What I just showed is “full” morning skincare routine. If I’m really rushed for time, I’ll just do cleanser, moisturizer and SPF, and skip the serums. 🙂
You may also like…
- Why I love the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
- AXIS-Y skincare review for acne-prone, dehydrated skin
- Is Function of Beauty skincare worth it? Pros and cons
- Do you need a dedicated morning skincare routine? Tips for dehydrated, acne-prone skin
- How to boost your skincare routine for winter: 6 essentials
Note: I'm not a dermatologist, aesthetician or skincare expert. I simply love doing personal research on skincare products and sharing what works for me, in hopes that it will help someone else. What works for me may not always work for you, and I encourage seeking advice from a licensed healthcare professional for serious concerns.