Having a skincare routine for morning and night feels like it’s something that companies made up to sell us more products, doesn’t it? That’s what I thought at the beginning of my skincare journey. No one told me why morning and night routines were different.
If this is you, worry no more, friend! I’m here to break down the specific difference between your day and night routine. And why – yes – you need both to have the skincare routine of your dreams.
It’s not nearly as intricate as it sounds. There are a few simple differences that will optimize your routine. It really boils down to the placement of a few key products.
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The Morning Skincare Routine
Your morning routine is typically going to have products that are more lightweight in texture.
If you’re following the Korean skincare method, you can see the order in which you apply products here.
As you move throughout your day, you encounter UV rays, pollutants, and bacteria.
These factors wear at your cells over time, so by the end of the day, your poor skin is stressed! You can slow the impact dramatically by keeping a diligent routine to protect your skin.
The most important daytime product to keep in your arsenal is…
Sunscreen
Sunscreen protects against the sun. And you need an SPF of at least 30. No, it doesn’t matter what your skin tone is.
If you’re not convinced, there are a couple of photos that speak to the power of sun protection.
One picture is a gentleman who worked as a truck driver for several years. One side of his face was always facing the sun while the other was not. The results were very telling.
The other is a lady who was great at keeping a skincare routine but didn’t apply the same care to her neck.
The UV rays of the sun damage your skin over time by breaking down its elastic fibers. It’s also the cause of spots on your skin which can appear as freckles or liver spots when you’re older.
Luckily, there are so many products for your face that contain SPF!
I love Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen. It’s oil-free, it contains a primer, and it has an SPF of 40. And on the days I decide to wear make-up, it applies like a dream.
That tube doesn’t seem like a lot, but it lasts me for about 7 months with daily use. So I will buy it every single time I run out.
If you consider the photos above, it’s a long-term investment that will always be worth it. The difference in your skincare routine will be morning and night! (See what I did there?)
Night Skincare Routine
When it comes to your night routine, your products will be heavier. That’s because when you sleep, your body goes into repair mode and it has 6 – 8 hours to do that. So give your skin some extra love around this time.
Night Cream
One of the products you’ll want is a good night cream. It should feel heavier than your daytime cream because it’s meant to absorb slowly while you sleep.
I love Belif’s True Cream Moisturizing Bomb for this reason. It’s marketed as providing 26 full hours of moisture and I can say I’ve always been happy with the results every time I’ve used it.
I have CosRx’s Hyaluronic Cream on my list next. Their brand is one of my favorites. And as far as night creams go, it’s a great price.
Serum
It’s also worth it to invest in high-quality serums.
I recommend The Ordinary for this because if you’re new to skincare. And you don’t have to guess which ones are for day or night use. It’s a beginner-friendly brand.
A lot of serums are friendly for both day and night use.
But, a quick note about retinol since everyone is talking about it.
While, yes, you can use it during the day (with a generous amount of sunscreen), I prefer keeping it to night use only as it can make your skin sensitive to the sun.
Start with the lowest percentage possible and work your way up because regardless of having sensitive skin, it can make you sensitive at first until you get used to it.
If you’re not ready for retinol, that’s okay. The Ordinary has other sets that you can try.
Glossier also has a serum set that is totally worth it. This was the first set I bought when I started introducing serums into my routine and I love them. Mostly because it gives a nice variety of serums to choose from. There’s one for acne, one for brightness, and one for hydration.
This set is sure to hold you through for a year at least. Even though seasonal changes!
If you need help remembering the steps of your skincare routine for morning and night, I made this free, handy chart that you can get by signing up for my newsletter!
Sources:
How to Layer Products in Your Skin-Care Routine Correctly
Your Skincare Routine Order Explained: How to Apply Your Products