Your Skincare Routine, Step by Step
Having good skincare products isn’t enough! For your products to be most effective, you also need to apply them correctly. Your routine depends on your skin type, the ingredients and formulations of your products, and the time of day.
No matter your skin concerns, you’ll want to start with a clean base, then apply concentrated, active ingredients, and finish by sealing in moisture—and of course, SPF. Let’s take a deep dive into what it takes to build a solid skincare regimen to achieve your goals, and examine what’s happening to our faces along the way.
STEP 1: YOUR AM & PM CLEANSE
Consider your face cleanser the foundation of your skincare routine. A good one will remove makeup, excess oil, sweat and dead skin cells to create a clean slate for applying the rest of your products. It's best to wash your face, neck and décolletage twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. Your morning routine is all about protection from the sun and the elements. Get a fresh start by beginning with a nourishing cleanser before proceeding to the next step. At night, double cleansing offers twice the satisfaction of a standard cleanse. Choose a cleansing oil and hydrating herbal toner combo to do away with the dirt of the day, while keeping moisture in the skin.
STEP 2: SERUMS & SPOT TREATMENTS
Serums might seem complicated, but once you understand the concept, use them to boost your skin care routine to achieve your goals. In a nutshell, this is where your skin gets its daily dose of vitamins. After your morning and evening cleanse, apply the appropriate antioxidant serums for your skin type and concerns. Dealing with acne breakouts? Find a serum with both hydrating and healing ingredients. Fine lines and wrinkles? Grab a serum packed with firming peptides. Hyperpigmentation? Go go for a vitamin C serum in tandem with a spot treatment to protect, promote brightening and heal scarring. Gentle, yet potent active ingredients are the way to go when targeting a specific skin matter. Safe to say, serums are the heroes of your routine.
Regardless of skin type, maintaining a smooth and youthful appearance always comes down to preserving hydration. Along with your other serums, use a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid that adds simple moisture to your previous ingredients, all while supporting collagen and elastin production. For our combo/oily folks, opt for a serum that has both hyaluronic acid and oil-regulating ingredients to nourish while combating shine.
STEP 3: EYE CARE
Caring for the skin on our eyes doesn’t start at a certain age. Dark circles, wrinkles and puffiness do not discriminate. Being the most fragile skin next to the lips, they're the first areas to show signs of oxidative stressors and age. Gently apply a small amount of your eye care system in the morning and evening. And don’t forget the lips! You can use all eye products on the lips as well.
STEP 4: ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS
Just like serums, once you understand the idea of essential oils–you’ll never look back. We’re not talking about oils that go in a humidifier. We’re talking pure, fortified plant-based ingredients that add even more botanical vitamins to heal, protect and sustain the skin. Due to their high concentration, we recommend using essential oils morning or evening depending on your skin type and weather, after your serums to lock them in. The right oil will strengthen the skin barrier, increase elasticity and also fight damage from environmental stressors. And smell delicious!
STEP 5: SPF & MOISTURIZE
It may be the last step, but nearly any skincare pro will tell you that sun protection is the most important part of any morning skincare regimen. Protecting your skin from UV rays can prevent skin cancer and accelerated aging. You need to wear sunscreen, period.
Moisturizers are the soothing, occlusive component of your skincare routine. A good moisturizer for your skin type will trap and seal in your previous products, protect the skin's natural barrier and prevent water loss so that skin stays soft, smooth and plump. After cleansing and applying serums and/or essential oils, it's a good idea to use a moisturizer both day and night. A little goes a long way.