Having a great skincare routine to kick off your day is essential in not only making you feel and look fresh, but also makes you feel super confident as you step out into the world [in real life or on your zoom screen]. Emphasis on the word routine, because we want you to be able to do this with your eyes closed – no pun intended – before or with your morning coffee.
1. Water Flush
It’s recommended to drink one or two glasses of water when you wake up – before anything. It flushes out toxins from your body, increases your energy and is also believed to kick start your metabolism. Not to mention that water is the No. 1 beauty secret, so you’ll already be two glasses down, with 6-to-go!
2. Cleanse
Your face may sweat and accumulate dead cells while you sleep, not to mention dust particles from your environment and pillow. That’s why you may find your face looking dull and dry when you wake up. Start your morning by washing your face with lukewarm water and your preferred cleanser when you wake up. Finish this off with a cold-water splash to not only feel more awake, but also tighten and close your skin’s pores.
3. Tone
A toner is also a great way to tighten your skin’s pores. Closed pores reduce the rate at which your face secretes oil – which is especially great for oily or acne prone skin. Toners are also great to balance your pH levels and form a protective layer against environmental pollutants that you will definitely be faced with during the day.
4. Serum
Serums are highly concentrated formulations that deliver specific active ingredients to your skin depending on your skin care needs. There are serums for every skin type and every condition, so select one that serves your immediate goals. You can read more on different Face Serums HERE: How To Pick The Right Serum Your Skin’s Needs
5. Eye Cream
Signs of ageing show first around your eyes, as this is the part of your face where the skin is thinnest. This makes your eye area more susceptible to premature aging as a result of sun exposure, inadequate sleep or general environmental pollutants. Adding an eye cream to your skin care routine is therefore critical in ensuring you look as young as you feel, every day. It’s important to note that serums and eye creams are made differently, so one does not necessarily substitute for the other. Eye Creams reduce puffiness and reduce or prevent dark circles around your eyes as well as give this thin area of skin the extra moisture it needs while stimulating collagen production required to keep your eyes looking plump.
6. Day Cream / Moisturiser
You can opt for a day cream that is specifically more lightweight for day-long wear and usually has some SPF added to it or go for your favourite moisturiser to keep your skin feeling supple through the day. Just like serums, different day creams and moisturisers have specific benefits for different skin types and challenges, so pick one that works best for you.
7. Sunscreen
We all know the importance of sunscreen – it protects your skin from UV damage that may cause premature ageing. Sunscreens should not be used only on days when the sun is actually out, the sun emits both UVA and UVB Rays, both of which can be harmful to your skin. UVA Rays reach the surface of the earth even on a cloudy day and are the primary cause of premature ageing. UVB Rays may not always reach the earth’s surface and are responsible for causing sun burn and skin cancer. Most sunscreen protects against UVB rays but not necessarily UVA rays, unless it is a broad-spectrum sunscreen [SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays and SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays]. So, on those cloudy days, ensure you go for a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
You are now ready to start your make-up routine, or step out fresh faced and starry eyed to slay the day! Remember, what you do you to your face you should also do to your neck for a consistent finish – especially long-term. What is your go-to skin care routine or morning skin care hack?