Skincare is an essential part of everyday life and with the right plan and products, you can start to see results in your complexion as early as 2023. Here is a complete skincare guide that anyone can follow to achieve beautiful, glowing skin.
Morning routine
A morning skincare routine is important for removing any dirt, oil, and makeup from the night before. It’s also the ideal time to apply serums and other products with active ingredients to target specific concerns like anti-aging or acne.
1. Cleanse your face
Cleansing is important for removing any residual oils, grime, and product that builds up on the skin throughout the day. Look for gentle, non-clogging cleansers such as CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser, SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Glow Getter Nourishing Cleanser, or Neostrata Foaming Glycolic Face Wash.
2. Apply vitamin C product
Vitamin C helps reduce dark spots and fine lines while brightening the complexion. Lee recommended La Roche Posay’s Vitamin C 10% Pure Vitamin C serum and Active Vitamin C 10% wrinkle cream. Additionally, The Ordinary Magnesium Ascorbyl 10% Phosphate is suitable for dry skin. For those looking to combine their vitamin C serum with additional products, Ilia C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40 is a good choice.
3. Moisturize
After cleansing and applying serum, it’s important to moisturize to retain the skin’s natural hydration. Choose a lightweight formula that won’t leave the skin feeling greasy. Some top recommendations include Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream, Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel, and EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer.
Nighttime routine
As the day comes to an end, it’s important to cleanse your face again and follow up with some extra care to ensure your skin stays healthy.
1. Double cleanse
Starting off your nighttime routine with double cleansing will help ensure all traces of makeup, dirt, and debris are removed from the skin. Opt for a gentle cleanser such as Simple Micellar Water or Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Makeup Remover to remove makeup, followed by an exfoliating cleanser like Skin Inc Pure Revival Peel or Peter Thomas Roth Peeling Gel.
2. Use a toner
Toners help balance the skin’s pH and prep the skin for the next step. Look for alcohol-free toners such as Pixi Glow Tonic or Fresh Rose Floral Toner. Alternatively, you can opt for an essence which provides additional hydration.
3. Target concerns with treatments
Treatments provide an extra boost to your skincare routine. Products containing retinol and salicylic acid are great for targeting acne, while hyaluronic acid is great for boosting moisture. Eva Longoria swears by L’Oreal Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid and Vichy Minéral 89 Serum.
4. Lock in moisture
Finish off your routine with a thick moisturizer to lock in hydration overnight. Look for creams specifically formulated for nighttime use such as La Mer Crème de la Mer and Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Night Cream. If you have oily skin, opt for a lightweight gel moisturizer like La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer.
Protect your skin from sun damage
It’s essential to protect your skin from sun damage, especially during the warmer months. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day. For daily use, try EltaMD UV Active SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen Lotion or Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40. For something a bit more luxurious, go for La Prairie Cellular Swiss UV Protection Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen.
Bonus tips
To get the most out of your skincare routine, here are a few bonus tips:
- Clean your makeup brushes regularly: Cleaning your makeup brushes once a week will help keep them free of bacteria and other debris that can accumulate on the bristles over time.
- Apply sunscreen every two hours: Reapply your sunscreen every two hours if you’re spending extended periods of time outdoors. This will help protect your skin against UVA and UVB rays.
- Be consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to skincare. Stick to your routine and give each product enough time to work its magic on your skin. Results don’t happen overnight!
By now, you should be well-equipped with the knowledge necessary to curate the perfect routine for you and your skin. Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all — find what works best for you, and you’ll be glowing in no time.
