8-Step Morning Skin Care Routine For Glowing Skin

Every night before we go to bed, we take care of our skin. Most of us follow a strict nighttime skin care routine, but what about mornings? Starting your day with a morning skin care regimen is as important as night. It can help you look fresh and bright throughout the day. So, here we have the ultimate guide to help you prep your skin in the morning. Scroll down.

The Best Morning Skin Care Routine

Step 1: Start With A Cleansing OilStep 2: Follow-Up With A Water-Based CleanserStep 3: Use A TonerStep 4: Don’t Forget The SerumStep 5: Moisturize WellStep 6: Apply Sunscreen To Your FaceStep 7: Protect With An Eye CreamStep 8: Prime It Up

Nazish Khan, a blogger, started her skin care routine in 2012 when she was a teenager. Recounting her routine at the time, she writes, “So what I used to do was follow my mother’s secret home remedies for skin brightening by mixing rice flour with honey and milk, which actually gave me brightening effects for a short period of time. I also mixed glycerin and lemon to tint my lips and trust me it used to turn out so amazing…. (i).”

Here are the steps you should take after washing your face.

Step 1: Start With A Cleansing Oil

First things first – wipe off the overnight product build-up and dirt. Use a cleansing oil – it not only clears makeup and excess oil but also softens your skin.

Try the bareMinerals Oil Obsessed Total Cleansing Oil. It is lightweight and suits all skin types. All you need to do is warm a few blobs of the cleanser by rubbing it in your palms. Dab it on your face and rub it in a circular motion all over. This cleansing oil can also double up as an exfoliator. Finally, rinse with warm water. Do not dry your face.

Step 2: Follow-Up With A Water-Based Cleanser

Follow it up with a non-oily cleanser that deep cleanses your face and clears off any remaining debris and dirt. Choose a soothing, low-pH cleanser that does not irritate your skin.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a good choice. Massage it gently on your face in circular motions and wash it off with lukewarm water. Pat your face dry with a clean towel.

Pallavi, a blogger, begins her skin care routine with a thorough cleansing process to ensure her skin is free of cosmetic products. She records her process in her blog as follows: “I start off cleansing my face by removing any product on my face using a makeup remover or dabbing a cotton pad in raw milk or coconut oil, it gently removes any cosmetic on my skin; followed by a facewash (ii).” Pallavi continues, “I prefer applying ice to tone the skin as it helps in tightening my pores and reducing puffiness around my eyes in the morning.”

Quick Tip

If you have oily skin, look for a cleanser that can control the excess oil production on your face.

Step 3: Use A Toner

Toning your facial skin is very important and considered as one of the most crucial steps in the Korean skin care routine. A good toner removes any remaining bits of oil and dirt left behind by a cleanser, helping you achieve that glass skin look. It shrinks the pores and balances the pH level of your skin.

Toners prevent your skin from producing excess oil. Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Multi-Action Toning Lotion is a good choice. Take enough toner and dab it over your face evenly and let it get absorbed into your skin.

Quick Tip

Leave at least a minute after applying the toner before you apply other products. Allowing the toner to dry can help your other skin care products absorb better.

Step 4: Don’t Forget The Serum

Serums are highly concentrated solutions that target and solve specific skin problems. Choose a serum depending on the problem you have, and it will show results.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster is useful to improve your skin health. Take a few blobs of the serum and warm it up by rubbing it in between your palms.

Apply the serum on your skin, starting from the nose, and work your way outwards. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes to absorb into the skin. If you like to use a face mist for extra hydration, you may spray some before serum application.

Step 5: Moisturize Well

Depending on your skin type, either choose a creamy, moisturizing lotion or a water-based gel to nourish and lock the moisture into your skin.

The moisturizer protects your skin from drying out through the day, helping you get glowing skin effortlessly. Moisturizers help maintain the hydration levels in the skin, promoting a naturally plump and radiant look. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Facial Moisturizer is a good choice.

Take a few blobs of the moisturizer and smoothly pat it over your face and neck. Massage it into your skin till the moisturizer is absorbed.

Step 6: Use A Sunscreen

Ensure you add a sunscreen to your daily skin care routine to prevent dark spots and pigmentation. Sunscreen protects your skin from sun damage, causing wrinkles, fine lines, and spots. You need a sunscreen lotion with at least Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Mad Hippie 30+ Zinc Oxide Facial SPF is a chemical-free sunscreen that works to protect your skin. Apply sunscreen and massage it into your skin evenly.

Step 7: Protect With An Eye Cream

The skin under your eyes is the thinnest and the most sensitive part of your face. Therefore, you need to use products that are specifically formulated for this area.

Eye creams address under-eye concerns such as dryness, wrinkles, and puffiness. Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate works brilliantly to moisturize the eye area and prevent the signs of aging.

Step 8: Prime It Up

Primer helps your foundation and makeup glide on smoothly and last longer.

Primers are products that your BB creams or foundations hold onto to last longer. Use your fingertips to smoothen the product onto your skin.

Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-Hr Perfecting Primer is a perfect choice as it minimizes the appearance of pores and blemishes. 

An online survey was conducted on 412 women to study the effect of skin care on the skin. Among women who had skin issues, 62% of them devoted more time to skincare every day during the pandemic. It was further reported that 33% of the respondents noticed a slight improvement in their skin and 14% observed a considerable improvement. Therefore, practicing these steps can help improve your overall skin health.

Infographic: Tips To Make The Most Of Your Morning Skin Care Routine

Overall, investing in a separate morning skincare routine is beneficial to your skin’s health and appearance. It’s also a terrific approach to give yourself a few additional minutes in the morning before confronting the busy day ahead. So, if you have some extra time in the morning and want to pamper your skin, check out some of the ideas in the infographic below.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time would I need to spend on a typical morning skin care routine?

It shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes.

Could I skip a few steps in my morning skin care routine?

Yes, you could skip a few steps if you think your skin does not require it. But cleansing, moisturizing, and applying a sunscreen are a must.

What can I use instead of washing my face in the morning?

You can use a mild toner in the morning to gently cleanse any excess oil buildup. Washing your face with only a splash of water instead of a cleanser or a face wash can also work.

Can I skip toner and use a serum?

Yes, you may skip toner, especially if you already use a cleanser that is pH-balanced and does not contain harsh chemicals.

Is micellar water a toner?

Yes, micellar water works as a good toner and effectively removes dirt, grime, and residual products from your skin.

What kind of serum should I use in the morning?

Use a serum with hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, so that your skin does not dry out while being exposed to the environment and the sun.

Illustration: 8-Step Morning Skin Care Routine For Glowing Skin

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Start your day off right with the perfect morning skincare routine. Watch this video to learn how to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing all day long.

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Dr. Julia CarrollMD, FRCPC

   

Dr. Julia Carroll is a board-certified dermatologist with over 14 years of experience and is known for her designer approach to beauty. She is the best-kept secret of many Canadians who love her personalized, natural results.

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Kushneet KukrejaHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Kushneet holds a postgraduate degree in biotechnology from Kingston University, London, and is an ISSA Certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition with 2 years of experience. Her scientific background, coupled with her passion for writing, propelled her towards content writing.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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