What skincare products should I use in the morning and in the evening? Should my evening skincare routine be the same as my morning skincare routine? What order should I apply my skincare products in? These are questions we often get asked here at SKINICIAN and we want to help make understanding your morning and evening skincare routine as simple as possible.
It's important to remember that there is no one size fits all when it comes to skincare and it's important that you use the correct products for your skin type or concern. But with that being said, there are some key fundamentals to help you get the most out of your skincare routine. Keep reading for our handy guide to the ideal AM PM skincare routine and the correct order to apply your products in for maximum results.
Morning skincare routine
The main purpose of your morning skincare routine is to prepare your skin for the day ahead. Your morning skincare routine is important because during the day your skin is exposed to harmful UV rays, pollution and dirt. All of these can damage your skin and cause free radicals which can in turn, accelerate skin ageing.
Step 1: Cleanser
The first step in your morning skincare routine should be to do a double cleanse and it's important that you don't skip this step. Oils, bacteria and dust can build up on our pillowcases and we can also sweat while we sleep so it is important that you clean your skin in the morning and prepare it for the rest of your skincare routine.
Step 2: Toner
There has been much discussion in the skincare world over the years on the real importance of using a toner in your skincare routine. At SKINICIAN, our cleansers can be washed off the skin easily and are pH balanced. This has allowed us to create toners that are treatments in themselves to add additional benefits to your skincare routine.
step 3: serum
A serum is designed to deliver a high number of active ingredients to your skin for quicker results. A serum tends to be lighter and delivers active ingredients so should be applied after cleansing and toning. Then to lock in the serum and maximise it's benefits, it's important that moisturiser comes after. Use a face serum that is well suited to the skin concern you would like to address, and you'll have found a secret weapon for your skincare routine.
Step 4: Eye Cream
Eye creams are formulated specifically for your delicate eye area. They have a lighter formula than a typical face moisturiser and are therefore more easily absorbed. An eye cream also contains actives to target specific problems such as ageing or puffiness. It is important that you apply your eye cream before moisturiser to avoid any accidental application of your day moisturiser to the eye area that would prevent your eye cream being absorbed.
Step 5: Vitamin C Elixir
Vitamin C is a great ingredient for reducing pigmentation and give your skin a radiant glow. Vitamin C can be used in the morning or the evening, however if you are using retinol at night, we would recommend only applying Vitamin C in the morning. As our Vitamin C Elixir is an oil, it is important that it is applied as the final product before your SPF.
Step 6: SPF Day Moisturiser
The final step in your morning routine should be to apply your day moisturiser. This final step will keep your skin hydrated, will lock in the skincare products you have already applied and will protect your skin from environmental assaults. It is important that you use a day moisturiser formulated with an SPF to ensure that your skin is protected from harmful UV rays.
EVENING SKINCARE ROUTINE
At night your skin can focus on repairing the damage caused during the day by external aggressors. This means that your skin can more easily absorb and is more receptive to the skincare products that you apply as part of your evening skincare routine. Your evening skincare routine provides the opportunity to introduce active ingredients that will deeply moisturise and hydrate your skin.
STEP 1: CLEANSER
In the evening the first step in your skincare routine should be to do a double cleanse. We often get asked why you should do a double cleanse and here's why - your first cleanse is there to remove any makeup, grease and dirt from your skin. The second cleanse is when the ingredients from your cleanser can get to work and do their job effectively to clean your skin.
Step 2: Toner
As we have already covered toners in the morning skincare routine section of this guide we will keep this short; SKINICIAN Toners are treatments in themselves and will add additional benefits to your skincare routine. The additional benefits they provide are dependent on which of our two toners you opt for.
Step 3: Serum/Retinol
After cleansing and toning, we recommend applying a serum and/or retinol product. A serum delivers a high number of active ingredients to your skin. Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A and is highly effective at treating acne, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation. While there is no reason that you cannot layer your serum and retinol product, you may find that your skin doesn't respond well to applying so many active ingredients at one time.
Step 4: Eye Cream
Applying an eye cream as part of your nightly skincare routine will allow you to target specific concerns with your eye area such as ageing, dark circles or puffiness with active ingredients that are suitable for this delicate eye area.
Step 5: Night Cream
By applying a night cream you can deliver actives to your skin that will deeply nourish and hydrate your skin while providing anti-ageing benefits (if necessary) while you sleep.
Step 6: Vitamin C Elixir
Vitamin C is a great ingredient for reducing pigmentation and give your skin a radiant glow. If you are using retinol as part of your evening routine, we would not recommend. Instead use it as part of your morning routine. As our Vitamin C Elixir is an oil (and therefore an occlusive) it should be the final step in your evening routine as no other skincare product will be able to get through once applied.
TAKE OUR SKINCARE QUIZ
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