Having an arsenal of the best skincare products is one thing and using them in the correct order and right time is another. After all, what is the point of stocking all those products if they are not used effectively?

In this blog, we will talk about the perfect morning skincare that you can achieve through variations of morning skincare routine products. What you need to consider is your skin type, the formulations, and the ingredients that make them. A good rule of thumb would be to go from the thinnest to the thickest texture. Let's dive in to see how.

Washing your face, the right way

Using warm water, wash your face so your skin is moist. Shake the bottle well if you are using an oil, then pump in your palms and rub your hands. You will notice how the liquid emulsifies. Massage the cleanser on your skin slowly adding more warm water to create a fine lather. Keep adding small handfuls of water from your faucet as you keep your face low in the basin. Use the first three fingers of your hands working them together in symmetry. 

Consider massaging the muscles under your skin rather than the skin. This means don’t be so gentle that you don’t feel the massage and not so hard that you pull on your skin. It will take some time till you get used to figuring out the right pressure.  

Smear the cleanser all over your face starting with your nose, then your cheekbones as you move outward. Rub back and forth over the bridge of your nose and down around your nostrils. Draw circles around your eyes working up towards your forehead around your ears then on the sides of your face, jawline, and up on the neck. You can apply some pressure and work the circles on your lymph nodes under the jaw and the top of your neck for about two minutes. 

Rinse your hands with water following the same pattern as you slowly remove the cleanser. This can be repeated a couple of times. 

In case you are wearing heavy makeup, soak a warm cloth in water as you gently swipe it across your face effectively removing all the residue and drying your skin simultaneously. When you are done with cleansing and rinsing your face pat dry with a towel. You can also soak a cotton pad with a facial mist swiping it across your face as an alternative to the double cleansing. 

Apply toner

The term ‘toner’ for many may pop to mind stinging astringents from the past. This was an alcohol-infused product with the main purpose of drying up oily skin and removing leftover grime post-cleansing. However, the formulations have now evolved into nutrient-rich thin liquids that help for quick absorption of other products in your skin, while balancing the pH levels. 

For some though, toners are considered optional and merely considered a good way to just add in extra shot of nutrients to your skin for replenishment. If you are big on toners here are some ingredients you must look out for:

Alpha and beta hydroxy acids are the best to eradicate dead skin cells that are accumulated on your skin congesting your pores. They also improve sun-damaged skin and keep dullness at bay. This is why they are infused with the best skincare products.

Hyaluronic acid adds hydration to your skin sealing in moisture and giving you a youthful look. 

Rose water and green tea act like soothing agent as it reduces redness and inflammation on your skin. 

Vitamin E and C fights the aging effect of stressors and free radicals on your skin. 

Toners should be applied to your skin after cleansing and before you put on anything else. The traditional method would be to soak a cotton pad and swipe it all over your face. But this; as most skin enthusiasts say, loses a lot of product. 

So, the best thing is to apply the toner with bare hands. Pour a few drops in your palm then smear on your face. Or if you want, you can tear apart a cotton pad so it is not very thick and apply some toner to it. 

Serums

Serums are your most powerful skin ally and fall among the best skincare products. Infused with concentrated doses of active ingredients these elixirs can mitigate a number of issues like dark spots and wrinkles. Even if you don’t have any skincare concerns in particular, you just need an all-purpose antioxidant serum in the morning to shield yourself from daily aggressors. We have singled out some favorite ingredients you need to seek:

Hyaluronic acid seals in moisture and strengthens your skin barrier to prevent dryness.

Vitamin C for reducing dark spots to brighten your skin tone

Retinol, vitamin B3, peptides to stimulate collagen synthesis, boost elastin and proteins in your skin layers to keep sagging at bay

Colloidal sulfur and niacinamide calm irritated skin coupled with redness and improve acne with their antimicrobial impact

If you seem to have multiple concerns, then you need to go for multiple formulations. So, it is suggested you use different products for different areas. Let's say you use vitamin C serum all over your skin but another one for the best morning skincare routine for combination skin. Just make sure you consult your dermatologist before blending in different combinations. 

Moisturizer

This not only provides hydration but also locks in the benefits of skincare products. you should opt for a lightweight moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30. For evenings you can use thick night creams. And if you tend to have dry skin, you can use the cream day and night.  

Choosing a moisturizer depends on your skin type. So, if you experience oily skin, it is suggested you go for a gel moisturizer that is water-based, lightweight, and thus absorbs quickly. 

Lotions are your classic moisturizer for the best morning skincare routine for combination skin. Creams are ideal for dry skin as they are oil-based and have a thick consistency as compared to other moisturizers. For inflamed and sensitive skin, using a balm is ideal. These are much like cream but with a slightly heavy texture. 

Sunscreen

This is hands down the most essential product in your skincare. Regular use of sunscreen aids to prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, and change the appearance of pores and other imperfections in the texture of your skin. 

There are different types of sunscreen formulas. Sunscreen with chemical ingredients like octanoate and oxybenzone absorbs in your skin immediately to protect against ultraviolet damage. While sunscreens with physical ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide possess a whitish tint as they sit on your skin to protect against the impact of the sun. 

The Final Verdict

As seen above skincare is not a one-size-fits-all formula. But we have certainly split your morning skincare regime into the best skincare products. since you now know everything about the essential products in your morning routine, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and grab your favorite products!