Hi beauty!
Navigating the aisles of skin care products can be a bit of a whirlwind, right? So many options, types, and brands — trust me, it can get overwhelming! To make matters worse, there’s products labeled for 'morning' and others for 'night.’
Ever wondered if you should do your skin care routine in the morning and night? What's the deal with all these different products and how do they actually benefit your skin? And where should you even start?
Do You Need Morning and Night Skin Care Routines?
The short answer is yes, you should have both a morning and evening routine for your skin care.
The long answer: your daytime skin care is all about preventive care, while nighttime skin care works overtime as the healer and rejuvenator, prepping your body for the regenerative process of sleep.
Your morning skin care routine acts as a shield, defending your skin against sun, dirt, harmful substances, and any other potential damage. Then after a day's work, your skin needs some love and care to recharge and renew. This is where a night routine comes into play. It’s the time to focus on deep hydration, derma rolling, and address specific skin concerns while you sleep.
Let's dive into the specifics of both routines and how you can pamper your skin from morning to night.
Morning Skin Routine Steps ☀️
Step 1: Cleansers
After you wake up, first up is cleansing. Your skin has been secreting oils and shedding dead skin cells throughout the night. Cleansing your skin is like a breath of fresh air — it refreshes and preps your skin for the day ahead. Plus, it gives you a clean canvas to work with to make sure other products and makeup adhere better.
Step 2: Toners
Next on the list is toning. Toners are a liquid-based solution usually infused with skin-loving ingredients like antioxidants, astringents, and hydrating components. Their purpose? Balancing your skin's pH levels and prepping it for the products to follow. After cleansing, your skin's pH balance might be a bit off-kilter, and a toner helps restore it to a more optimal level. Plus, toners tighten and refine your pores, making them appear smaller and less prone to impurities.
Step 3: Serums
If your skin has specific concerns, serums are your go-to problem solvers. For example, you might be targeting age lines, dullness, or hyperpigmentation. Serums are packed with a high concentration of nutrients and antioxidants designed to penetrate deep into your skin. Our Nourish+Repair Serum, made of 100% organic argan oil, is a great option for anti-aging, protection from the sun, and supporting skin against acne.
Step 4: Moisturizers
After the first three steps, it's time to lock in that goodness with a moisturizer. Moisturizers are the hydrators and provide a protective barrier. You don’t want to skip this step when you shower or take a bath, since the hot water strips moisture out of your skin. Depending on your skin type, you'll want to choose a moisturizer that suits you best.
Step 5: Sunscreen
It’s so, so important to apply sunscreen before you go about your day, especially during the summer months when the UV level is high. Not only does it prevent your skin from sunburns or serious damage, it helps avoid premature aging. Applying sunscreen directly on clean skin before putting on makeup also helps it work best. I recommend mineral sunscreen over chemical sunscreen for more natural protection.
Step 5: Makeup
Last but not least, if makeup's your jam, go ahead and flaunt your style. But just like sunscreens, look for makeup made of natural ingredients that work for your skin, not against it. Some makeup can clog your pores or result in you absorbing harmful chemicals. It’s best to be choosey when it comes to your skin health.
Night Skin Routine Steps 🌙
Step 1: Makeup Remover
When you’re ready for bed, the first nighttime step is makeup remover. Making the mistake of leaving makeup on overnight can lead to irritated, inflamed skin. That’s why it’s best to let your skin breathe after a long day of glam. If you wear heavy makeup or have oily skin, you may want to use cleansing oil to remove makeup and excess oil, and then you’ll follow up with your facial cleanser. You can even use our Nourish+Repair Serum, made of 100% organic argan oil, to remove makeup in a natural way that also nourishes your skin. Watch the tutorial below to learn how!
Step 2: Cleansers
No matter your skin type, make it a habit to give your face a good cleanse at night. During the day, your skin plays host to a parade of dirt, oil, makeup, and dead skin cells, which can clog your pores if left alone. Find a gentle cleanser that you can use both in the AM and PM to keep your lovely face fresh and happy.
Step 3: Exfoliate or Masks (As Needed)
Exfoliating or using a facial mask, after your daily cleansing, can be a great addition to your night routine. Exfoliators remove dead skin cells, which helps renew your skin's surface and helps your skin absorb other beneficial skin products. Plus, there are many amazing types of masks out there that target different skin care needs and concerns. You don't need to exfoliate or use masks every night. The rule of thumb is exfoliation two to three times a week and masks once a week for a healthy glow.
Step 4: Derma Rolling
Derma rolling is a treatment where you use a special handheld tool to create micro punctures in the skin. This stimulates collagen production and increases cell turnover, which has lots of benefits for your skin. For example, helping reduce the appearance of acne scars, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, and overall rough skin texture. Derma rolling works best after cleansing because it helps products with high active ingredients, like serums, absorb deeper into your skin. However, it’s best not to derma roll the same day you exfoliate. Our derma roller has been specially designed to use on skin and also your scalp to stimulate hair growth.
Step 5: Serums
Just like in your morning routine, at this step you can use a serum for more specialized help. For example, if you’re looking to help with dry skin or anti-aging. As already mentioned, our Nourish+Repair Serum is a great option during this stage of your routine, especially if your goal is to support soft, youthful skin.
Step 6: Moisturizers
A nighttime moisturizer nourishes, rejuvenates, and gets you all set for the new day ahead. While you can use the same moisturizer throughout the day, you can also get a special nighttime moisturizer. These typically are heavier creams with reparative ingredients vs. the light formulas used in the morning. Just keep in mind that nighttime moisturizers tend to include retinol, which you may want to avoid directly following derma rolling if you have sensitive skin.
Step 7: Eye Creams
The next essential in your skin care regimen is eye cream. You may not realize, but the skin surrounding your eyes is different from the rest of your face — it is notably thinner and more susceptible to signs of aging. This means you may need extra TLC to keep your eye area youthful. Most eye creams have a special molecular structure designed for the delicate skin encircling the eyes.
Step 8: Silk Pillows
Once you’re ready for some much-deserved beauty rest, sleeping on a silk pillowcase will help protect your skin. If you deal with acne-prone skin or occasional breakouts, silk is a game-changer. Not only does it possess antibacterial properties, but it also helps your body retain its natural oils. Plus, silk is not as absorbent as cotton or linen, so it won’t soak up your skin care products after all your hard work applying it. This gentle touch creates an optimal healing environment for your skin while you catch those Zzs. No surprise, I’m obsessed with my silk pillowcase — it’s the perfect way to end each day!
Find a Skin Care Routine That Works for YOU
At this point, you might be saying, “That’s so many steps, Kaley!”
I definitely agree — a lot can go into skin care! These steps are comprehensive and cover all the bases. But everybody is different. You might only have time and budget for some of these, or you might find some work better for your skin than others. This is just a starting point to give you ideas. Feel free to play around with it and find the best routine for you and your skin. Listen to your body and make necessary adjustments as needed.
And remember, just as important as giving your skin the right ingredients is getting quality sleep. Sleep is essential for your skin to repair and heal, as well as produce collagen (the protein behind your skin’s elasticity and firmness).
So after you spend your time on your night skin care routine, don’t forget to leave plenty of hours for beauty sleep. The best skin and sleep routine is the one that makes your unique skin healthy and happy!
