Morning Skin Care Routine

Exfoliator | Face Wash | C E Ferulic | Eye Cream | Face Lotion | Face Oil (if you buy one thing ever, it needs to be this and here’s why!)

After sharing my night skincare routine, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about what my morning skin care routine looks like! Unlike your nighttime routine where you have plenty of time, your mornings might look a bit different – especially since you’re layering makeup on top right after. So here are the steps as part of my morning skincare routine.

What you’ll notice is that most of these products are also part of my night skincare routine. I’m not about to recommend having a whole separate set of products for your morning skin care. While I probably have enough product in my medicine cabinet to make another full routine, I think it’s more practical to use the same products where possible. At least, when you’re just starting out. Fewer products also means you can test what you like. Build up your routine over time!

Morning Skin Care Routine Step 1: Wash OR exfoliate.

I usually do this step in the shower every morning even if I’m not washing my hair. I shower most days because of my skin cancer/leg situation but if I don’t then I skip washing my face. Don’t judge. As we learned from this post, over-exfoliating can irritate and cause more melasma so that’s why I alternate between cleansing and exfoliating!

My ride or die exfoliator is insanely budget friend by Acure from Target. On days where I’m not exfoliating I use whatever budget friendly clean cleanser I have lying around. I don’t need an expensive one in the morning. My favorite is the Nourishing Cream Cleanser by Beautycounter but I also like this one by Seed Phytonutrients.

Morning Skin Care Routine Step 2: C E Ferulic.

This C E Ferulic is a game changer for your skin. It protects and prevents against the environment especially if you live in areas with pollution. My skin was looking pretty dull until I revived it with this and it’s worth every penny. A bottle will last you at least 6 months so while it’s an investment up front, you are getting A LOT of product and a very long use compared to other similar products. Make sure you wait 2-3 minutes minimum before applying a serum.

Morning Skincare Routine Step 3: Eye cream.

I didn’t used to use eye cream in the morning but my eye skin has become so sensitive that now I do. You can read this post for a full review of 20+ eye creams but I’ll save you time and tell you my two favorites are this one by Beautycounter and this one by Fresh. 

Morning Skin Care Routine Step 4: Serum (optional).

I also didn’t use to use serum in the morning but… aging. I alternate serums as well with whatever I have in my medicine cabinet but I’ve been using this H A Intensifier and this Beautycounter serum (made with Bakuchiol). Bakuchiol is a plant based retinol that is taking the beauty industry by storm. I like the Beautycounter serum a little better for the morning because it layers better under makeup. I usually try to wait as long as possible before applying moisturizer too.

Morning Skin Care Routine Step 5: Moisturize.

Generally, I like to use this Vitamin C moisturizer in the morning mixed with my favorite face oil. I recently ran out of my moisturizer so I’ve been using this recovery balm in the morning but I skip applying to my chin since my chin is already plenty oily. I also sometimes use this Indie Lee face oil instead. It’s a little less hydrating but still a good product.

After moisturizer, I again wait as long as possible before applying makeup so that my skin has the maximum amount of time to absorb my skincare. I follow this up with an SPF moisturizer or tinted moisturizer with SPF. You can watch my everyday makeup tutorial on my Instagram highlights!

What is your morning skin care routine? Do you have any favorite products that I need to add to my list?