Morning and Nighttime Skincare Routines
Morning Skin Care Routine
Just as you're ready to start your day, your skin is getting ready too. In fact, your skin has very different needs during waking hours than it does during its regenerative state at night.
Step One - Even if you cleansed before you went to bed, your skin will still need to be washed again in the morning to remove any sebum released by your skin overnight, as well as any dead skin cells which can clog pores and get trapped under oils. Cleanse your skin thoroughly with a gentle facial cleanser and if you really want to achieve a deep down clean, a facial cleansing brush can work wonders while imparting a dewy glow. And they feel wonderful too!
Step Two - Using a cotton ball or pad, apply an alcohol-free toner all over your face to hydrate your skin and prep it for maximum absorption of your subsequent serum and moisturizer. While some people opt for cosmetic or skin care brand toners, others use natural astringents such as Witch Hazel. Both will do their job and providing tangible results.
Step Three - Apply an antioxidant-rich and nutrient-rich facial serum to restore moisture and hydration to strengthen your skin barrier and improve the overall elasticity of your skin. (PRO TIP: Any product containing Vitamin C will help to improve the radiance of your skin)
Step Four - After treating your skin with a serum, it’s time to moisturize! The right daytime moisturizer for your skin will help to protect it against environmental factors and it can also help to keep oil production in balance. (PRO TIP: Opt for a moisturizer with SPF to prevent sunspots and ward off signs of aging)
Step Five - One of the biggest culprits of aging skin is prolonged sun exposure without protection. Top off your routine with an SPF product to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
Nighttime Skin Care Routine
Step Two - Cleanse! Once your makeup is removed, make sure to flush out your pores and give your skin a clean slate so it can naturally repair itself during sleep.
Step Three - Any toner can be suitable as an option here. However, depending on your primary skin concerns, your evening toner can actually take on a much more active role in the evening. If you deal with enlarged pores and uneven texture, for example, our 7% Glycolic AHA Toner, can help your skin gently slough off dead skin cells while you sleep.
Step Four - Whether we are glued to a computer all day, or simply taking in an incredible amount of information, our eyes truly take a toll daily. After toning, feel free to use your favorite eye product to help reduce dark circles, crow’s feet, or to simply firm up the delicate skin around the eye area.
Step Five - Choose a serum that provides powerful benefits. Like with an evening toner, your serum can take more active role in helping prevent signs of aging and addressing those peskier skin concerns. Most evening serums are formulated specifically to work in tandem with your skin’s natural nightly restoration for results you can see and feel in the morning! (PRO TIP: Choose serums with Glycolic Acid to gently exfoliate with you sleep)
Step Six - Finally, your night cream will provide the finishing touch to your routine. Opting for a moisturizer that will help tackle some of those aging or discoloration concerns can make a significant difference on your journey to more youthful skin.
Exfoliants and Masks
In addition to your daily morning and evening skin care routine, you can add a few other products to your regime as needed.
Exfoliants - Whether chemically or through physical exfoliation, exfoliants work to remove dead skin cells by sloughing off the outer layer of the skin. Quartz Crystals, Strawberry seeds, or glycolic acids can be used to exfoliate the skin on a weekly basis.Masks - Let’s face it: masks are FUN! From clay masks that remove deeply-embedded impurities to soothing and re-hydrating masks that quench dry and lifeless skin, opt for using a mask once a week to boost your morning and evening skin care routine.
Additional Tips for Beautiful Skin
It's not just what we do on the outside that affects our skin. Bad habits can wear your body and your skin down fast. From ditching the junk food, to getting proper sleep and exercise, the following additional beauty tips are positive lifestyle changes you can make that will significantly improve your complexion when practiced daily.
What more can you do to improve your benefits by incorporating these healthy living suggestions?
Relax and Meditate: Don't let stress take its toll on your skin. Practice daily mindful meditation to help focus and balance your mind and body. Once your body is in a relaxed state, it can focus on repairing instead of surviving daily stressors.Drink Water: Your skin is very thirsty. Drink the bare minimum of eight eight-ounce glasses of water to hydrate and improve skin's elasticity and to impart a healthy and youthful glow.
Don't Smoke: Smoking will quickly age your complexion and reduce circulation to the skin, causing fine lines and wrinkles, and dull, lackluster appearance.
Protect Your Skin From the Sun: Limit your sun exposure and wear SPF daily to prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
Use Oils: While many people, especially those with oily skin, would never dream of adding more oil to their complexions, this is actually one of the best things you can do. In fact, your skin is producing excess oil to make up for the fact that it really needs more moisture. Rosehip oil, Marula oil, and Coconut oil can safely be added to your regular moisturizer to boost its effectiveness..
Exercise: Exercising will kick all of your beauty efforts into high gear thanks to the benefit of increased circulation. Head to the gym or go for a daily walk to improve your complexion's appearance and just feel good.
You’ve Got This!
Whenever you begin a new skin care routine it's often difficult to commit if you're not seeing results. Be patient and remember that a targeted skin care routine will help you reach your goals when used consistently in harmony with your skin’s natural cell cycle.
Treat your skin with care. Give it the nourishment and hydration it needs and you'll be happily rewarded with a healthy and glowing complexion with very little investment other than some natural skincare products and some relaxing pampering time (and we all deserve that!)
