I often get asked “what are the steps I absolutely have to do in my skincare routine?”. I think this is a great question. For so many, you don’t want to spend a lot of time, or spend a lot of money on skincare products, or you just don’t know where to start in this big world of skincare.
Taking good care of your skin is so important. Your face is the first thing everyone sees about you, it’s your first impression. And you want to always put your best foot forward (or best face forward :) ) Whether you are a simple girl or just starting a skincare routine, here are my must do skincare steps that every single person should be doing.
- Cleanse your face every morning and every night. At night the skin rejuvenates and replenishes, it’s important to get all the makeup, dirt and oil off from the day so the skin can do what it needs to do at night effectively. Cleansing in the morning is just as important. While the skin is rejuvenating at night it will push toxins, free radicals, etc to the top of the skin. Washing your face in the morning will get all that off. You can cleanse using a clarisonic or with your hands. My all time favorite cleanser is Fresh Soy Cleanser, it is a makeup remover and a cleanser.
- Moisturize after cleansing. It’s important to keep the skin hydrated. Even if you have oily skin you don’t want to “dry your skin out”. Instead use an oil free moisturizer. For those with dry skin, moisturizing is so important! Dry skin = fine lines, wrinkles, dull complexion. So invest in a good moisturizer and keep your skin hydrated and plump. I recently got L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cream and I’m loving it!
- Eye cream every night before bed. The first place any wrinkles will show up is around the eye area. If you are young, eye cream is preventative. If you are middle age or older, eye creams can be used to reverse wrinkles and dark circles while preventing any new aging. You are never to young to start using an eye cream. I was around 18 when I first started. Apply an eye cream every night after cleansing and before you put on your moisturizer. I currently use Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay eye cream, then apply Fresh Seaberry Oil at night.
- Exfoliate at least once a week. The skin is constantly creating new skin cells, pushing the old ones to the surface. Once the skin cells reach the surface they are dead, dull and flat. If they continue to sit there they will clog pores, cause texture and give the overall complexion of the skin a dull look. Exfoliating at least once a week (as much as 3 times a week) will get all the dead skin cells off. This will reveal new, healthy glowing skin cells. Exfoliating will keep the skin looking fresh and prevent clogged pores and break outs. Read more about exfoliation here.
- Use sunscreen and shade your face. The sun is the most aging/damaging to the skin. Always wear sunscreen when you are going to be outside. And wear a hat or sit in the shade when outside between the hours of 10-2. Yes, even in my young 20’s I would wear a huge hat to shade my face at the beach or sit under an umbrella.
- Water, water, water and more water. Water is so important not only for the body but also for the skin. Water flushes out toxins from the skin. It also hydrates from the inside out. Drinking enough water will give a more “plumped” look to the skin.
I adore your skincare tips and have been implementing them into my daily routine. I feel so much better and can truly see a difference in my skin! :) Thank you!!! xx
Lucy x |~ SweetIsAlwaysInStyle || Lifestyle Blog ~
I love your skincare posts!! I often find myself going into your archive and reading through them again when I want new skincare products or more information! With new products, I’m always stuck when trying to figure out at what step to do them in my skin care routine. (I use a 3-step Acne Care system that I really like, which has a cleanser, acne treatment, and moisturizer). SO, I’m never sure to apply things before or after the acne treatment step.
I recently purchased the Ole Henrikson Invigorating Night Treatment…the directions say to use it on a clean face and then moisturize after, but I don’t know if it’s okay to put it on after cleansing, then put the acne treatment gel on, and then moisturize. This is usually my concern with any types of daytime or night time serums or treatments. Would you recommend doing it after the acne treatment? Or doing it before it still, so that it is on a clean face!
Sorry for the lengthy description! I just always want to purchase things you mention and this is a recurring question I always try of figure out!
Thanks so much! Always look forward to your posts!
If you are going to use any night time treatments, use it instead of the acne treatment; don’t layer them. Most night time can only be used 1-4 times a week, then use your acne treatment on the other nights. For daytime serums, apply this first to clean skin before the acne treatment.
Do you think serums are a must? And retinol?
I think serums and retinol products can be very beneficial to the skin.
This is random, but where did you get your pajama pants? I’m obsessed and have been looking for a pair just like them for FOREVER. Absolutely OBSESSED with your blog!!
Thank you! You can find my pj pants here at Nordstrom.
Hi Rachel! I’m loving your skin care blogs! I am a newbie to your site and I was wondering if you have any suggestions on dark spots? I have a little patch of dark spots on my face (they have been there for a couple years now) and it’s making me a little self conscious! I’ve tried over the counter moisturizers but nothing seems to work! Any recommendations or tips?
Thank you! (Sorry so lengthy)
Hi Rachel! I love your blog! I just started using Fresh Soy Cleanser and the Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve moisturizer as well as the Purity face wash. I’m absolutely loving the way my skin looks. I have sensitive skin and am pretty fair so I like to use a moisturizer with an SPF during the day even if I’m not constantly outside. Do you have any recommendations? Or do you think it is okay to layer moisturizers, the fresh lotus youth preserve and another with an SPF? Thanks so much!!
You can layer your moisturizer, then a sunscreen on top. Or use a moisturizer with spf in it. I’ve been using the Josie Maran one lately. I posted today on healthy summer skin, you can read the post here.
What is a good eye cream/serum? I have dry/combination skin. I’m 18 and really starting to take care of my skin and this post is so helpful!