Essential Skincare Products For Your Morning Routine

What you need to know

We all know the importance of nighttime skincare, but a solid morning routine is just as crucial. Nighttime skincare aims to address skin issues for sensitive skin before the regenerative process of sleep begins, but daytime skincare is all about protection and preservation. You can’t create a youthful complexion, later on, you can only maintain the one you have now.

Even with many of us staying at home, taking a few minutes at the beginning and end of your day to take care of your skin can give you that much-needed confidence boost. Of course, it goes without saying that picking the right products for your skincare routine allows you to reap the most benefits of this relaxing routine. 

Daytime skincare products are a great way to introduce yourself to new brands and products. If you have questions about a product, ask the salesperson or the person in charge of skincare at your favourite department store. You can also find great information online for free.

How would you define skincare?

We mean the basic care and keeping of your largest organ—your skin! It plays an important role in protecting you from outside pathogens and, you know, holds all your internal organs in place (phew). And in the same way that you regularly brush your teeth, your skin requires at least some attention to keep it functioning properly.

It also requires protection—especially from skin cancer. When we talk about skincare routines, we’re talking about science-backed ways to improve both the look and function of your skin to address and manage both cosmetic and medical concerns.

This guide is for anyone who is curious about what it means or what it takes to have an effective skin-care routine—from beginners who don’t know where to start all the way to seasoned skin-care enthusiasts. Consider it your ultimate skin-care manual.

Basic skin-care routine essentials

Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated if you don’t want it to be, but in general, there is an ideal skin-care routine order that helps ensure the products you use will be most effective. 

The three basic skin-care routine steps are cleansing, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen (look for at least SPF 30 and “broad spectrum” on the label). Your morning skin-care routine should include those basics: washing with a cleanser, slathering on a moisturizer, then putting on your sunscreen. 

Pro tip: You can use a moisturizer that has at least 30 SPF and broad-spectrum protection to combine those two steps.

There could easily be twelve steps to the most effective morning skincare regimen, but let’s be real… nobody’s got time for that. 

You should definitely be stocking up on some of these basic morning skincare essentials. You’re well on your way to a flawless face all day long!

Here are some of the best morning skincare products to start your day right:

1. Gentle Cleanser

The first step in your morning skincare routine should be cleansing. Use a gentle cleanser that won’t strip away the natural oils of your face, as these are essential for healthy skin. It’s important that you choose a cleanser that has a gentle pH. 

A gentle cleanser will also make sure your skin doesn’t get over-dried, which can cause it to become more sensitive and prone to breakouts.

If you are using a cleanser with microbeads, replace it with something better suited to your skin type – not all your beauty products need to be fancy or expensive. 

This is one of the most important products you should have in your morning skincare routine. There are plenty of options for gentle cleansers out there.

2. Toner/Hydrator

This is the second step in your morning routine, but it is an important one that shouldn’t be skipped! Toners help remove any excess dirt from your pores and dead skin cells especially for those with oily skin while hydrating and balancing the pH level of the skin. 

3. Moisturizer

Moisturizers are a must-have in your morning skincare routine as they serve to maintain the moisture levels of your skin and keep it supple, smooth, and protected from the elements. 

Look for moisturizers that are rich in hyaluronic acid as this helps to maintain hydration levels. Apply a thin layer of moisturizer to your face after cleansing and toning, but before applying any makeup products on your face. 

4. Moisturizing Sunscreen

Moisturizing sunscreens are great for protecting your skin from the harmful rays of the sun! Look for moisturizing sunscreens that contain SPF 30 or higher, as well as antioxidants like vitamin E and vitamin C serum which help to protect skin from free radicals that cause premature ageing. 

5. Serum (optional)​

Serums are a great way to treat specific skin concerns such as fine lines or wrinkles or those with acne-prone skin without using too much product! You can also use these products for overall skincare benefits since they contain high concentrations of active ingredients like antioxidants which help protect delicate skin from free radicals that cause premature ageing. 

6. Eye Cream/Eye Treatment (optional)​

Eye cream is an essential part of your skincare routine because it helps to hydrate and fight fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes. You can also use an eye treatment product that contains high concentrations of active ingredients for specific skin concerns like dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines and wrinkles. 

7. Sheet Masks (optional)​

Sheet masks are a great way to give your skin barrier a boost of hydration and nutrients without having to use too much product! Sheet masks are soaked in skincare serum which is then applied onto your face.