Welcome to my new Wednesday series: For the Record! I’ve decided to give myself a little editorial direction around here. One of the things I love talking about (or reading about) are tried-and-true…well, anything. Skincare routines, makeup, wardrobe items, dinner recipes, bras…you get the idea. For the record will be a weekly edition of go-to’s and how-to’s, one topic at a time. First up: the morning skincare routine.
A little bit about me: I’m a 41-year-old woman with combination skin (though it’s tending a little dryer these days). When it comes to skincare, I’m looking for hydration, minimization of fine lines (thankfully no deep lines…yet), even skin tone, and clear pores (the battle against blackheads never truly ends, it seems). Oh yeah, and a glow. Don’t we all want to glow?
I love to try skincare products, and I’ve tried MANY. At the risk of sounding incredibly shallow, I consider skincare a hobby of mine. I stalk esthetician and dermatologist social media, nerd out on the science behind skincare, and have learned how to read the ingredient labels. I love exploring the high-end options, scouting out the best drugstore products, and everything in between.
Here’s the thing most important thing I’ve learned in the 15 years since I went down the skincare rabbit hole: a good skincare routine doesn’t have to cost a ton of money. No matter which products I’m using, I’ve used the same formula to build a morning routine for the past 15 years or so. It’s repeatable at any price point (I’ve listed budget options for each step) and it’s adaptable. I’ve written the routine exactly as I use it, but I’ve also noted the steps that are totally optional.
With a few tweaks for your skin type (like choosing the right moisturizer or skipping it altogether if sunscreen offers enough hydration for you), this skincare formula will work well for you, too.
Let’s build a morning skincare routine
Listen, I’m gonna tell you the truth: you don’t have to do any of this. I don’t make the rules! I’m just telling you what’s worked for me, a Skincare Enthusiast and proud receiver of the occasional “good skin” compliment. You could easily just rinse your face with water and wear some sunscreen (please wear the sunscreen!) and call it a day. But if you want to build a morning skincare routine that improves and protects your skin over time…here’s what we’re gonna do.
1. Cleanse
If your skin is super dry or you just don’t want to waste cleanser in the morning, just splash your face with water. I prefer gentle cleansers; Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser and Prequel Gleanser are two of my favorites (and both very budget-friendly). If you have more money to spend or want to treat yourself, Biologique Recherche Lait VIP O2 costs $$$ but it does actually brighten and even the skin.
You can read more of my recent cleanser reviews here.
2. Tone (optional)
I love a toning step! Before I was on prescription tretinoin at night, I would use Barefaced Toning Pads, which have a blend of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids that keep pores clean and skintone even (budget option). Now, that’s too much for my skin everyday, so I’ve started alternating acid toner with this (budget-friendly) milky toner from the Ordinary to layer a bit of hydration into my skin and still get the benefits of gentle exfoliation.
3. Vitamin C
Improving the appearance of skin, slowing aging, and protection from sun damage… TL;DR: vitamin C serums do basically everything you want skincare to do. There are many types of vitamin C on the market; the widely accepted “best” (i.e. most effective) form of vitamin C is L-Ascorbic Acid.
LAA formulas are difficult to stabilize, meaning that a good serum will cost you a little more money than other parts of your routine. Skinceuticals (pricey) is the gold standard in the industry and they do have a patented formula and results that back up the price tag (if you can afford it). But that doesn’t mean you have to spend Skinceuticals money!
If you’re looking for something close on a budget, I’ve found three that hit the mark: Maelove Glowmaker (under $40), Timeless 20% Vitamin C (under $30) and Prequel’s Lucent-C (under $25). I haven’t tested it yet, but Geek and Gorgeous C-Glow ($14) is on my list to try (of note: this product comes freshly mixed and with a short shelf life; I think that’s probably part of why it’s so affordable).
4. Hyaluronic Acid (optional)
For an extra layer of hydration and plumping, try a hyaluronic acid serum, which draws moisture deeper into the skin than lotions can. Without getting too far into the science of it, I’ll tell you this: hyaluronic acid molecule size matters in the formula you choose. Because of that, I skip the super-cheap options on the market because they usually aren’t very effective.
NIOD’s Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex and Vichy Mineral 89 (half the cost of the NIOD) are two of my favorites. I’ve also heard great things about La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 (usually $30-40, depending on the store and the sale). I was recommended Skinceuticals HA Intensifier at a recent facial; it’s pricey but I’m intrigued by the claims and good reviews. If you want a super-affordable entry point, try The Ordinary’s. It’s on the thicker side compared to my favorites, but it does contain multiple forms of HA to reach different layers of the skin.
For best results, apply hyaluronic acid serums to damp skin (it’s pulling more water into your skin, so you want to give it something to work with). I move pretty quickly, so I apply while my skin is still damp from previous steps. You could also use a facial mist (NIOD’s SDSM is great) or a bit of water to dampen your face before applying.
5. Eye Cream (optional…ish)
Before the age of 35, I considered this an optional step; now it’s a must. My under-eye area has always been a challenge; I’m blessed with a tendency toward dark circles and under-eye bags (lucky me). Aging has added fine lines and dryness to the party, which make applying concealer for said dark circles a less than ideal situation (hence the necessity of eye cream).
Revision DEJ is, by far, the best eye cream I’ve tried so far, but it’s not always in the budget. The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide Eye Serum or CeraVe Under Eye Cream get the job done for less money. If I have time, I pop on some reusable eye masks over the eye cream (they make everything work better)!
6. Moisturizer (optional)
I’ve tried a few fancy moisturizers in my day (La Mer and Bader, I’m looking at you). And I’m not going to lie, they’re nice. But they’re really damn expensive. If my other skincare is doing its job, the truth is I don’t need something that high-end as a penultimate skincare step.
If you’re curious about the Bader cream (or already know you like it, but, like me, find the price tag hard to swallow), I swear iNNBEAUTY Extreme Cream ($48) is 99% the same product for *checks notes* $257 fewer dollars. It does not have TFC8 like the Bader cream (which, unfortunately, makes my skin look really, really good). Otherwise, Extreme Cream performs exactly the same and is a lovely base for makeup.
If you’re looking for more budget-friendly options, La Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair ($25) is fabulous and Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer ($15) is always in my stash. If you have oily skin or live in a humid climate, you might get enough moisture from your sunscreen and just skip this step.
7. Sunscreen
DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. It’s the best way to protect your face from everyday aging factors. I’m picky about sunscreen - I want it to leave a nice glow without making me look like the Tin Man or an oil slick.
My current favorites are from La Roche Posay’s UVMune 400 line, which I picked up on our recent trip to Paris. I like both the invisible fluid and the hydrating cream, which cost me about $12 each in French pharmacies. You can get them here through a reliable retailer (as linked above), but they’ll cost you more; the price is in line with other LRP items sold in the U.S. However, unlike LRP sold here, these come with the more advanced UV filters and formulations available in the EU.
If you prefer mineral sunscreen and/or a glowy finish, I recommend iNNBEAUTY Mineral Sun Glow. If you’re looking for a good sunscreen under $20, I recommend innisfree Daily UV Defense.
You can read more of my recent SPF reviews here.
Bottom line? Building a morning skincare routine is simple.
Just choose the steps that work for you and forget the rest. Choose a routine you can realistically do every day, because that is going to be the best skincare routine for you. I enjoy the ritual of a morning skincare routine, so mine has seven steps (but it takes me about two minutes to complete).
If you want to keep it really simple and effective, just cleanse, apply a vitamin C serum, and finish with sunscreen.
What’s in your morning skincare routine? I’d love the hear in the comments!
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Thank youuuuu - This post was perfect for revamping my full skincare routine. Just placed several orders.