my 10 step skincare routine
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I remember when my skincare routine consisted of a bar of soap. I did not have the patience or the desire to do a step-by-step routine on my face. Some nights I could barely muster up the energy to take a make-up wipe to my face. Basically when it came to skincare, I was lazy af.
Well, fast forward a few years — I’m now into my thirties and skincare has taken a front seat on my priorities list. I have been doing all the things to make sure my skin stays fresh, healthy and glowing. Granted, getting botox also helped, but still. Your skin stays with you for your lifetime; you better be taking care of it!
So first, it’s important to know the order in which products should be applied. What helped me the most with this, is to remember thinnest to thickest. For example, you will apply an oil before a cream. I’ve also made a little graphic for you below. Feel free to save it, print it, pin it, whatever you need to help you remember.
Second, the product ingredients matter. You want to be using products that are good for your health, and for your skin type. Did you know there are only 11 ingredients banned from products in the United States? ELEVEN. Know how many the United Kingdom has banned? 1,300. I’ll say it again, there are one thousand three hundred ingredients that the United Kingdom has deemed harmful and therefore banned them from products on the market. Makes you wonder what you’re putting on your skin doesn’t it?
Well then let’s get to it. Here’s my everyday 10-step skincare routine.
am 10-Step Skincare Routine
Step 1: Oil Based Cleanser
This step removes all the dirt, makeup and impurities on your skin. I’ll be honest, sometimes I even use a make-up wipe even though I know they aren’t that great for your skin. I use Billie Wonder Wipes because they contain Vitamin C. Otherwise, I hop in the shower (I absolutely hate washing my face in the sink) and use an oil cleanser.
Product I use: Tula — #nomakeup Replenishing Cleansing Oil
Step 2: Water Based Cleanser
You always want to start with clean skin, so I wash my face twice. The reason behind double cleansing is the first wash removes makeup, dirt and grim, while the second wash really washes your actual skin. I’ve been doing this for a few months now and really starting to notice a difference.
Product I use: Monat — Be Gentle Creamy Cleanser
Step 3: Exfoliator
Some exfoliators are too harsh to use every day but it’s always important to exfoliate your skin. An exfoliant removes dead skin cells and buffs away dull skin; it leaves you with a more radiant soft skin. I rotate between a sugar scrub, for everyday use, and an exfoliating mask, used once or twice a week.
Product I use: Tula — So Polished Exfoliating Sugar Face Scrub and Monat — Berry Refined Scrub
Step 4: Toner
Next, apply a toner. This removes any dead skin cells and excess dirt and oil from your skin. It also removes impurities and diminishes the appearance of pores after cleansing. Usually applied with a cotton pad.
Product I use: Tula — Get Toned: Pro-Glycolic 10% PH Resurfacing Toner
Step 5: Essence
If you' aren’t using an essence I highly recommend it. I found this through Monat and did a bunch of research on it because I had never heard of it before! It’s prevalent in Korean skincare routines (and they have the best skin). Basically an essence acts as a primer for your skin and makes the ingredients in the rest of your routine much more effective.
Product I use: Monat — Skin Revitalizing Essence
Step 6: Serum
Serums contain topical antioxidants (like vitamin A, C and E) that help to even out your skin tone. A serum acts as a targeted treatment for wrinkles, redness and pigmentation.
Product I use: Monat — C. Radiance Illuminating Serum
Step 7: Eye Cream
Eye creams are great for blurring the appearance of lines, wrinkles and dark circles. It can also help reduce the look of puffiness in the eye area.
Product I use: Monat — Eye Smooth
Step 8: Moisturizer
You skin needs lots of moisture; especially if it’s dry like mine. A moisturizer can help firm skin and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It also locks in moisture for deep hydration and nourishment.
Product I use: Monat — Be Gentle Nourishing Moisturizer
Step 9: Face Oil
Adding oil to your routine just adds another layer of moisture. An oil re-hydrates and revitalizes dry skin or any skin in need of replenishment and deep renewal.
Product I use AM: Monat — Rejuvenique Oil
Step 10: Sunscreen
Always wear sunscreen! Even when it’s not sunny out. Minerals zinc oxide and titanium dioxide offer UVA/UVB protection that physically shields the skin from harmful rays. Sunscreens are now including protection against blue light — which is a must for both indoors and outdoors!
Product I use: Tula — Protect + Glow Daily Sunscreen
pm skincare routine
Step 1: Oil Based Cleanser
This step removes all the dirt, makeup and impurities on your skin. I’ll be honest, sometimes I even use a make-up wipe even though I know they aren’t that great for your skin. I use Billie Wonder Wipes because they contain Vitamin C. Otherwise, I hop in the shower (I absolutely hate washing my face in the sink) and use an oil cleanser.
Product I use: Tula — #nomakeup Replenishing Cleansing Oil
Step 2: Water Based Cleanser
You always want to start with clean skin, so I wash my face twice. The reason behind double cleansing is the first wash removes makeup, dirt and grim, while the second wash really washes your actual skin. I’ve been doing this for a few months now and really starting to notice a difference.
Product I use: Monat — Be Gentle Creamy Cleanser
Step 3: Exfoliator
Some exfoliators are too harsh to use every day but it’s always important to exfoliate your skin. An exfoliant removes dead skin cells and buffs away dull skin; it leaves you with a more radiant soft skin. I rotate between a sugar scrub, for everyday use, and an exfoliating mask, used once or twice a week.
Product I use: Tula — So Polished Exfoliating Sugar Face Scrub and Monat — Berry Refined Scrub
Step 4: Toner
Next, apply a toner. This removes any dead skin cells and excess dirt and oil from your skin. It also removes impurities and diminishes the appearance of pores after cleansing. Usually applied with a cotton pad.
Product I use: Tula — Get Toned: Pro-Glycolic 10% PH Resurfacing Toner
Step 5: Essence
If you' aren’t using an essence I highly recommend it. I found this through Monat and did a bunch of research on it because I had never heard of it before! It’s prevalent in Korean skincare routines (and they have the best skin). Basically an essence acts as a primer for your skin and makes the ingredients in the rest of your routine much more effective.
Product I use: Monat — Skin Revitalizing Essence
Step 6: Serum
Serums contain topical antioxidants (like vitamin A, C and E) that help to even out your skin tone. A serum acts as a targeted treatment for wrinkles, redness and pigmentation.
Product I use: Monat — Rewind Age Control Nectar
Step 7: Retinol
Retinol is also known as Vitamin A and can improve skin texture, pigmentation, and tone. The one I use also helps to reduce the appearance of age spots, and targets the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Product I use: Monat — Botanic Bakuchiol
Step 8: Eye Cream
Eye creams are great for blurring the appearance of lines, wrinkles and dark circles. It can also help reduce the look of puffiness in the eye area.
Product I use: Monat — Eye Smooth
Step 9: Moisturizer
You skin needs lots of moisture; especially if it’s dry like mine. A moisturizer can help firm skin and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It also locks in moisture for deep hydration and nourishment.
Product I use: Monat — Be Gentle Nourishing Moisturizer
Step 10: Face Oil
Adding oil to your routine just adds another layer of moisture. An oil re-hydrates and revitalizes dry skin or any skin in need of replenishment and deep renewal.
Product I use: Hervibore — Phoenix Cell Regenerating Facial Oil
other products i use
Eye Perfector
I recently added this to my routine as well. It’s basically an instant eye lift in a bottle. It tightens the skin for a more even, no wrinkle look.
Product I use: Monat — 30 Second Miracle Instant Perfector
Lip Mask
This one is new for me as of a couple weeks ago and I absolutely love it. Your lips definitely deserve some extra love at night.
Product I use: Laneige — Lip Sleeping Mask
