Morning routines are an essential part of preparing to be your best self every day! No matter what your morning rituals are, it is important to make sure you save some time for self-care, and the best way to do that is by implementing a morning skin care routine.

The best ingredients for cooking up your morning routine

Everyone’s routine is going to be different, but there are some general rules of thumb you can follow, starting with understanding the purpose of your products. The aim of a morning routine is protection. These products are designed to defend against sun damage, pollution, water loss, and any other stressors your skin may experience throughout the day.

Ingredients such as vitamin C & E are perfect for protecting your glow. They work to combat environmental damage to the skin and to work with your sunscreen in UV defense. They can do this because they are antioxidants and give your skin a layer of protection from free radicals in the air that would otherwise steal moisture and nutrients.

Other ingredients that can help build a morning routine are hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides. These ingredients hydrate and strengthen the skin. These hydrators can penetrate deep into your skin and keep you glowing all day long.

On top of all that, the most important part of your morning routine is sunscreen. If you only apply one product every morning, it should be sunscreen. Mineral based sunscreen is the key to protecting your skin. Look for products with active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It will prevent signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. Sunscreen is also the best way to help results from in-office treatments last.

When these ingredients are combined, they work synergistically to keep you feeling and looking fresh all day long!

However, it’s best to avoid products with strong exfoliating ingredients in the morning as this will break down the skin leaving it vulnerable to stressors. Instead opt for gentle defensive products and wait to use your scrubs and chemical exfoliators in the evening. This will give your skin the proper time to rest and restore after application. For most this means avoiding the use of any specialty products in the morning such as face masks, lip masks, and spot treatments.

Tips for perfect application

• Complete skin care after brushing your teeth to avoid removing any product around the mouth.
• In any routine, always apply products in order of thinnest to thickest consistency. For most this means a general routine of cleanser, toner, serums, moisturizer, sunscreen, and then applying make-up once all skin products have absorbed.
• Let products absorb into the skin for 5-10 minutes before applying make-up to avoid pilling.
• Use an SFP powder or compact throughout the day to reapply over make-up.
• Apply serums to wet skin for improved absorption.

Example routine

• Cleanser: in any routine cleanser is always the first step. You must remove any buildup or debris from the skin so that your treatment products can work properly. For the morning, go gentle. There shouldn’t be much to wash off the skin. My favorite cleanser for an AM routine is LCP’s calming cleanser. It’s a cream-based cleanser designed to infuse the skin with antioxidants while cleaning without drying. The perfect way to start your day.
• Toner: after cleanser it’s time to apply toner. This step is an enhancement to your cleanse. It will remove any residue left from a cleanser and give the skin a nice wet base to apply serums on top of. A good defensive toner is LCP’s Vitamin C Brightening pads. These gentle pre-soaked toning pads are perfect for morning use to revitalize and wake up your skin.
• Serums: you may have multiple serums to apply in your routine. Always apply them in order from thinnest to thickest. For most skin types I recommend the use of a hydrating serum like LCP’s Hydrate and Plump and an antioxidant serum like LCP’s Vitamin C Brightening serum.
• Moisturizer: all skin types need moisturizer, even oily skin types. As one of the final steps in your morning routine moisturizer locks in all the active ingredients applied beforehand and protects your skin barrier, preventing loss of moisture and over production of oil. Speak to your skin care professional to find a moisturizer suited for your skin type.
• Sunscreen: This is the most important step in any morning routine. Sunscreen is the best way to prevent skin damage and to make your treatment results last. It can be combined with your moisturizer such as in LCP’s Daily Moisturizer with SPF 50 or can be applied on top of your preferred moisturizer. For daily use, sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 is best. It is even better when your sunscreen is mineral based as mineral protection creates a shield on top of the skin while chemical protection allows UV rays to be absorbed before it converts them, protecting you from burns but leaving some potential for superficial damage.
• Last, apply make-up.

Overview

The best routine for you is one you will be consistent with. Our skin thrives when it’s given a regular dose of potent ingredients. Make your morning routine fit your schedule, and not the other way around. If all you’re able to do in the morning is wash and apply sunscreen every day, that’s better than an extensive routine done only once or twice a week.

Ready to build the morning routine that’s right for you? Book with me at Lake Country Plastic and Hand Surgery! The best way to start is with a signature facial so I can get to know you and your skin.