Products, products, and more products. Our drawers are always slammed with cleansers, serums, and SPFs, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed or confused by this plethora of products. You may wonder if all of these are necessary – and to be honest, we think they are!
As a twenty-something female, I believe NOW is the time to be proactive about my skin to prevent aging and sun damage. It’s also beneficial for those days where I have too much Diet Coke to stay awake or one too many glasses of vino on Girls Night Out – hydration is ultra-important for your complexion. No matter how much you spend on a fancy foundation or how much time you spend getting that perfect contour, if you aren’t giving enough TLC to your bare face, you aren’t going to see your best results.
So now, let’s break it down. How do you order all of these products? Which products should you use? I’m sharing my morning skincare routine below to help you learn how to layer your own products for the best results!
Step 1: Eye Makeup Remover
I’m one of those people that feels naked without eyeliner, so waking up with raccoon eyes is pretty common. My first step every morning is a quick swipe of eye makeup remover. My favorite is Garnier Micellar Water, and I simply pour a bit on a cotton pad to wipe off any mascara or eyeliner. It’s affordable and available at every drugstore – plus it has so many other uses, such as a makeup brush cleanser! (Read more about Garnier Micellar Water here)
Step 2: Cleanser
I prefer to use my morning facial cleanser in the shower, since I’m already wet and I don’t have to worry about tossing water all over the vanity (#clumsy). There are honestly so many great cleansers on the market, so I love trying new products and switching up my routine. Right now I’m using the Kate Sommerville Daily Detox Cleanser and I love it. Another one I love is the Colleen Rothschild Gel Cleanser. For a drugstore brand, I always choose CeraVe or Cetaphil.
For those of you that wash your face over the sink everyday, check out the Tassi Hair Band – Blair swears by them!
Step 3: Toner
I first incorporated a toner into my skincare routine in 6th grade when my mom bought all of us the Clinique 3-Step skincare routine (which is still a great routine!). What I love most about a toner is that it helps shrink your pores and removes excess dirt and oil. Using a toner is super fast and easy, so you should definitely add one into the mix if you haven’t already! I’ve been using the Clarins Toner for a couple of years now, and I love it! Simply pour a bit onto a cotton pad and gently rub it all over your face for a revitalized feeling.
Step 4: Serum
Out of all of the products available, serums are my absolute favorite. Though they’re generally the most expensive product in my skincare routine, serums are essential. The lightweight and silky smooth formula of a serum penetrates deep into your skin to deliver active ingredients, which helps firm your skin, shrink pores, and provide ultimate hydration to your skin. Plus if you’re trying to fight off wrinkles (like me), serums are the best! If you’re looking for a new serum, I love Erno Laszlo Transphuse Day Serum, KORRES Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir Serum, and Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum. Also, if you have oily skin – serums are a great alternative to a moisturizer
Step 5: Face Moisturizer
While I swear by every step on this list, the one step YOU should never skip is moisturizing. It helps keep your skin bright and glowing everyday, allows your makeup to look smooth and flawless, plus it’s incredibly important for anti-aging. The two products I highly recommend are the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream and the La Mer Creme de la Mer – both products work wonders on my skin and are always top-rated! (Click to read my posts about La Mer Creme de La Mer and Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream)
Step 6: Eye Cream
The skin around your eyes is thinner and more fragile than the rest of your face, which is why you’re more likely to have puffy eyes, dark circles, and the first steps of aging. Using an eye cream can help reduce these effects, so I always dab a pea-sized amount of eye cream around my eyes. Tip: Since the skin around your eyes is thinner, gently pat the cream around your eyes instead of rubbing! I’m currently using the Murad Eye Lift Firming Treatment, and I love it.
Step 7: SPF
You know how important melanoma awareness is to us, so of course an everyday sunscreen is essential to our routine. Sun damage not only raises your risk of melanoma, but it also causes damage and premature aging to your skin. Whether you plan on spending the day outside or simply catch a bit of fresh air, adding an SPF into your everyday beauty routine is easy and highly recommended. I love all products by Supergoop, as well as this one by Kiehls and this one by Julep (read my Julep review here).
Step 8: Primer
By this point you’re probably wondering how I have this much time in the morning, but trust me all of these steps are super quick and easy! The last step of my morning skincare routine before applying makeup is my primer. It feels a lot like a moisturizer, but it helps my makeup stay on all day and gives a smoother finish. For an everyday primer, I love the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. Since a highlighted and glowing complexion is all the rage right now, I love the Dior Glow Maximizer and Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Primer.
Do you have any skincare favorites we should try? If so, let us know in the comments below!