Skin 101: How to Build a Daily Skincare Routine
Need help with how to create an effective skincare routine? We’ve got you covered. Below, we’re sharing how you can build your perfect skincare routine by following these essential steps.
The 3 Main Skincare Routine Steps
Whether you’re just starting out or want a simple routine you can stick with, these are the three main steps to follow:
- Cleanse
- Treat
- Moisturize
1. Cleanse
Cleansing (or washing your face) is the most basic yet essential step to building a great skincare routine because it sets the foundation for the rest of your products. Washing your face generally once per day with a gentle cleanser will remove dirt, oil, sunscreen, makeup, pollutants, and other grime that has accumulated throughout the day. Skin tends to not need cleansing first thing in the morning, so a cool water rinse works perfectly.
2. Treat
The “treat” step of a skincare routine means incorporating toners, essences, or serums rich in beneficial botanicals, skincare actives like vitamin C, or hydrating humectants. This middle step is where you really need to consider your skin type and goals.
If you want to correct uneven skin tone, consider using brightening ingredients or exfoliating acids. If you want to protect your skin from the effects of aging, use an antioxidant serum. Treating your skin with these high-impact ingredients and products is where you’ll see a huge difference in the health and appearance of your skin.
3. Moisturize
To lock in all that goodness, it’s essential to moisturize. Moisturizers prevent water loss in the outer layers of skin by forming a protective barrier with ingredients like ceramides and oils. No matter your skin type, age, gender, or routine – moisturizing is the one skincare step you never want to skip.
Cleansing and daily dehydrating activities, such as washing or turning on the AC, strip the skin barrier of its natural moisturizers. That’s why following your routine with a moisturizer that works for your skin type and preferences is essential. Our Superfood Beauty Oil is designed to moisturize and soften all skin types with beneficial plant oils and botanicals that naturally nourish, improve skin tone and texture, calm irritation, and boost collagen. Use it as the final step in your routine (second to last step before SPF in the A.M.) for healthy, glowing skin.
Extra: Sunscreen (Day Time Only)
During the day, follow your moisturizer with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Apply daily (even when it’s cloudy) as the final step in your skincare routine to protect skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays.
The Right Way to Apply Your Skincare
Below is the general order of how to apply your skincare products morning and night. If you don’t use a product on this list, no worries! Everyone’s routine will vary, which is why most of these steps are optional.
Morning Skincare Routine
- Cleanser, if necessary
- Toner or essence (optional)
- Serum (optional)
- Eye cream (optional)
- Moisturizer or facial oil
- Sunscreen
Evening Skincare Routine
- Oil cleanser or micellar water
- Water-based cleanser
- Toner or essence (optional)
- Serum or treatment (optional)
- Eye cream (optional)
- Moisturizer or night cream
- Facial oil
Bonus Skincare Tips
Lightest to Thickest
When in doubt about how to layer your skincare products, apply them from thinnest to thickest since thin products won’t be able to penetrate the skin if they’re layered on top of thicker ones. That means the more watery and lightweight a product is (think: toner), the sooner it should be applied. Products containing more oil and emollients, such as moisturizers and facial oils, will be used near the end of your routine.
Practice Patience
Skincare is all about patience and consistency. Unless you experience an immediate bad reaction to a product, give it six to twelve weeks to see results before trying something new. Your skin needs time to produce and maintain results, so trust in the process.
Less is More
Most of the time, a pared-back skincare routine will produce better results than a 12-step one. So before you buy a bunch of products or use a ton of active ingredients in the same routine, know that this can often do more harm than good. Instead, try one new product at a time to see how your skin reacts. And don’t do too much—less is definitely more when it comes to skincare.
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