I wrote a post on How To Build Your Own Routine (you can read that here). Being the generous person I am, I am also giving ypu a sample skincare routine which ypu can build on based on your skincare concerns
I don’t know what part of the world everyone lives in but I am a strong advocate of washing your face in the morning regardless of how dry your skin is. Do something! Micellar water, cleansing milk, hydrating face wash etc.
*This IS just a sample mentioning certain products, you can use other products
Cleanse: A gentle cleanser is fine but I sometimes use an acid cleanser. Most times I opt for Cerave Hydrating cleanser, Krave Matcha Hemp Cleanser or Jordan Samuel AfterShow as I want to combat any dryness from Differin or Retinol the night before but if my skin feels meh, I use an acid cleanser. My top picks are Neostrata Foaming Cleanser, Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse or Image MD Restorative Cleanser. I usually leave on my cleanser for about 5 minutes or even up to 20 minutes
Tone: This also is an optional step but I choose to use a toner. You can decide to use a hydrating or acid toner. My skin can handle P50 twice a day which is basically my holy grail but I also love the Paulas Choice 2% BHA and I can use either in the morning. Sometimes, if I feel dry, I pat in Klairs Supple Preparation Toner either alone or over my acid toner. (Always pat in your toner, don’t rub).
Treat: This to me is the most important part of your routine in the morning and evening and where the bulk of your money should go. The treatment serum you choose should be based on your skincare concerns. This is what I mean…..
Hyperpigmentation/ texture: consider serums with azelaic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, lactic acid, alpha arbutin, kojic acid, vitamin c, licorice root extract, tyrosinase inhibitors etc. Great brands are the GOW range, Good Genes, Jan Marini, Allies of Skin, Urban Skin and Paulas Choice
Enlarged pores: Niacinamide (I love the GOW one and heard great things about Stratia)
Dehydrated skin: hyaluronic acid (though I think everyone needs it including those with acne). Jordan Samuel Skin, Hada Labo, Medik8 are all great examples
Acne: salicylic acid, Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid (see above)
My current favourite morning serums are Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid rich serums.
Moisturize: I honestly don’t pay a lot of attention (or money) in this step. Depending on where you live or your skin you may or may not need one. Some treatment protocols don’t even include a moisturiser but do what works for you. When I do choose to use one, I opt for a gel crème. My favourites are Cerave PM and Clinique Skin Fortifying Hydrator but I have also used slightly heavier ones like the Neostrata Bionic Cream, Jan Marini Bioglycolic Ccream and Obagi Hydrate.
Protect: SUNSCREEN IS VERY IMPORTANT, BLACK PEOPLE NEED SUNSCREEN, YOU NEED SUNSCREEN EVEN IF IT IS NOT SUNNY. Now that we have that out of the way……it is tempting to combine your moisturize and protect step in one but if you have to, choose a moisturizing sunscreen not a moisturiser with sunscreen. Have I confused you???? This means choose a product that is a sunscreen first. That moisturiser with SPF 15 won’t cut it neither will the SPF in your make up. Great options are Altruist, Obagi, Replenix, Elta MD, HelioCare, Eucerin Oil Control ….always choose SPF 30 or 50 (anything higher is pointless to me) and do not forget to reapply!
I hope this helps at least one person. What is your morning routine like? Let me know in the comment section
Xx
ThatGeminiGirl
Thanks for the post…loving your morning routine…mine is cleanse with neostrata mandelic cleanser, tone with the paulas choice BHA, hadalabo for hydration, followed by the GOW alpha arbutin and Kojic acid serum and sunscreen…i also skip moisturizers…😊
My kind of routine
Yes it helps, my morning skin care routine for now, till I can add or replace some products are, firstly neutrogena oil free acne wash, then I use neutrogena acne stress control toner, and I use my altruist sunscreen, still trying to get a budget friendly serum to treat hyperpigmentation.
Sounds simple and to the point. GOW and Inlet list have affordable serums
Love it! Good to know I’m doing it right. Recently added azelaic acid and niacinamide to my routines and I’m looking forward to the wow factor. I’m breaking out a lot lately and I’m sure it’s because of my diet but All in all it looks like I’m on the right track!
Yes you are
Love it! Good to know I’m doing it right. Recently added azelaic acid and niacinamide to my routines and I’m looking forward to the wow factor. I’m breaking out a lot lately and I’m sure it’s because of my diet but All in all it looks like I’m on the right track!
Hiya
Yeah might be your diet but for breakouts…PC 2% BHA, Niacinamide and Azelaic will definitely help but you need to look at other habits too…diet, your phone, make up removal method etc
Hello, i see your mentioned a lot of products that the ordinary brand caters especially under the treatment step, but you didnt mention the deciem brand. Is there a reason? Or you are not impressed by them. I am asking because they are one of the most affordable option … i think
Hi. The Ordinary is made by Deciem. They have other products whixh are way pricier than The Ordinary
Super helpful, sure going to bookmark this and always come back to it.
Yay
Shocked to see you also leave your cleanser on for so long and I’ve been beating myself each time I leave it on for like 5 minutes because it contains 2% salicylic acid. So I’m guessing it’s not a bad thing right? 🤔
P. S: Please can you add comment notification to your blog? Thanks 😊
Hi! It’s not a bad thing to be honest as long as it’s not a drying cleanser. I will do that. Thanks for reading
Hiya. I follow you on Instagram but I only got to your website today and boy is it informative.
Thanks for sharing. I am currently struggling to build a skin care routine. I recently started using beauty formulas activated detox cleanser and neutrogena visibly clear pink grapefruit daily scrub and follow with neutrogena hydroboost gel cream as moisturizer. I have dr organic rose otto cleansing milk on standby. I am still looking to get a cleanser and toner I can stick with.
Sorry for the late reply. Thank you so much for reading. To be honest, most of these products won’t do a lot for you. Add sunscreen while you are at it. Your skin will thank you
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