AM Skincare Routine
AM Skincare Routine
Outstanding Skin
Outstanding skin isn't as simple as having good genes. Our everyday practices have a significant impact on our outside appearance.
Depending on your personal history with skin issues, the media you consume and the doctors you consult, your knowledge on what skincare products to invest in will vary. There is copious amounts of information out there; on everything from which moisturizer to use to how to properly exfoliate your skin.
Ultimately, the purpose of any beauty routine is to strengthen your complexion so it’s operating at its best and to correct or focus on any regions you want to work on.
The Purpose of Skincare Routines
Skin-care routines are an occassion to notice changes within yourself.
It’s not about creating perfection. It's about listening to your skin's needs on a regular basis and adapting to their necessities. What your skin needs can change in accordance with your age, microenvironment, diet and stress levels, and this shift will be reflected onto your beauty regime — however, it is still crucial to have some mainstay beauty-care products.
Suggestions
Allow Time
The research behind beauty products has made great progress but there’s still no such thing as a hasty remedy or quick fix — you need time to reap the fruits of your labor. Significant changes are only seen through consistent use.
*In general, aim to use a skincare product across a 6 week period, once or twice a day, to notice a change (if not sooner).
Apply in Order of Viscosity
Apply from thinnest to thickest — this is because thin products won’t be able to penetrate thicker ones.
Start with a fresh and clean foundation, then apply concentrated and active products, and conclude by locking in the moisture. This makes your beauty products more effective, which will ultimately show!
Skincare is Person-Specific
Keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for you, so get to know what your skin can tolerate and most importantly, what it can't.
Flower Infused Cleansing Milk — Chantecaille
CLEANSER
Purpose
The purpose of a cleanser is to remove make-up, dead skin cells, oil, dirt, and other types of pollutants from the skin of the face. This helps to unclog pores and clean out any toxins and impurities that can cause breakouts. It also prepares your skin for the next few steps in your skincare regime by opening up pores to better absorb moisturizer and serum.
About
A gentle cleansing milk infused with mallow and cornflower to moisturize and soothe skin.
How to Apply
Gently rub cleanser all over your face and lightly rinse your face with water until you’ve removed any dirt and product. Lightly pat your face dry with a soft towel.
Choosing a Cleanser
— Look for a cleanser that is geared toward your unique skin type. This is because some cleansing ingredients may be stronger on the skin than others.
— The perfect cleanser should leave your face feeling tight, clean, soft, bright and rejuvenated, and not dried out (that could eventually cause your skin to start peeling).
Tea Tree Water Toner — Lush Cosmetics
TONER
Purpose
The main purpose of a toner is to absorb excess oil and remove any dirt or leftover makeup stuck in your pores after using face wash, while providing an initial layer of hydration to the skin. Essentially, face toners prep the skin for moisturizers and serum.
About
Antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial — this spray helps keep away the bacteria that can cause acne. Grapefruit is rich in vitamins and is also lightly astringent on the skin, whilst juniperberry is antiseptic and helps keep skin clean and clear.
How to Apply
Pour a few drops of toner onto your palms (or a cotton pad) and gently wipe the toner over your entire face, neck and chest.
Choosing a Toner
— Today, toners are used to target a varying array of skin concerns—from acne to dryness to ageing. Therefore it is important to use the right kind for your skin concern.
— Choose a natural toner that supports your skin's pH balance and won't strip away any of the good stuff!
— In the AM it is recommendable to use a hydrating toner.
Brightening Serum — Kahina Beauty
SERUM
Purpose
Serums are super-concentrated, nutrient-dense treatments that address specific skin concerns. They are designed to deliver high concentrations of active ingredients to the skin, so it’s best to keep them as close to the skin as possible. Due to their microscopic size, molecules in skin serums are able to penetrate deep into the skin’s layer to deliver powerful ingredients.
About
A lightweight, easily absorbed brightening serum with a fresh, natural scent. This organic-certified treatment complex increases luminosity and refines skin tone and texture.
How to apply
Gently apply a small amount of serum to your face and neck with your palms or fingertips. If you have time, wait a couple of minutes until the serum is fully absorbed into the skin before adding any other ingredients.
Choosing a Serum
— In the AM, it is recommendable to use a serum with antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Phloretin and Ferulic acid, as these ingredients brighten up the skin.
— Because serums are super potent, more is not always better. Always patch test accordingly, as these powerful ingredients could potentially irritate sensitive skin.
Perfecting Eye Cream — Goop by Juice Beauty
EYE CREAM
Purpose
Eye creams help moisturize and smooth the thin layered and delicate texture skin around your eye area which is more prone to dryness. Another goal is to deliver the same anti-aging and enriching ingredients that are aimed for the rest of the face but to do so in a manner that will not irritate the under eye area.
About
The Perfecting Eye Cream deeply hydrates, soothes, and firms the delicate eye area, visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Richly emollient, it increases elasticity and plumps skin for a more youthful appearance.
How to Apply
Apply a small amount of eye cream on your finger tip, preferable on your ring finger for a gentle touch. Tap it between your fingers to warm it up a little bit before applying it onto your under-eye area. Then, gently pat it under & around your eyes up until your brow bone.
Choosing an Eye Cream
— In the AM it is important to use an eye cream that will protect the skin under your eyes from the elements you will face throughout the day (pollution, UV rays and environmental toxins).
— Try using an eye cream with a metal roller-ball applicator and storing it in the fridge to counteract puffiness in the morning.
Hydra-Repair Day Cream — Grown Alchemist
MOISTURIZER
Purpose
The main purpose of a moisturizer is to hydrate the skin by holding water in the outermost layer. It also prevents external stressors from causing dryness or irritation. Furthermore, it locks in all the other layers of product you've applied by creating a barrier on your skin.
About
A nourishing, non-greasy facial moisturiser that noticeably improves skin hydration levels, without leaving residual oil or shine on the skin. This formulation's velvety viscosity leaves the skin looking smooth and soothed, resulting in an ideal primer for makeup application.
How to Apply
Pat the lotion into your skin rather than rubbing it. Using gentle, circular strokes helps distribute the product evenly without damaging the skin cells and reduces puffiness. Make sure to apply to your full-face and down to the neck and chest area (they are just as important). Applying with upward strokes helps work against gravity and discourages your skin from sagging.
Hydrating Facial Oil — Izé
FACE OIL
Purpose
The purpose of facial oil is to restore the natural balance of the skin’s moisture levels by forming a protective lipid barrier on the outermost layer of the skin to help keep water in. Facial oils are high in natural, skin-identical ingredients that are respectful of your skin's biology while also being highly effective in delivering potent ingredients.
About
Quench thirsty skin with this 100%-vegan blend of hydrating jojoba seed and squalane oils. Strawberry seed and avocado oils protect the skin barrier and lock in moisture, while a dose of Colorado-grown, broad-spectrum organic CBD oil soothes skin. The combination leaves behind a dewy—never greasy—glow.
How to Apply
With your finger, dab the oil in small dots onto cleansed skin, avoiding your eye area. Then gently smooth and press the oil onto your face and neck, using the whole surface of your hands.
Remember, facial oils are highly concentrated products, so you will only need a very small amount to achieve great benefits.
Choosing a Face Oil
— It is important to pick an organic and unrefined oil, which is free from preservatives & fillers for best results.
— If you haven’t experimented with face oils before or have sensitive skin, it is recommendable to use a single ingredient oil & doing a patch test before incorporating it full-time into your skincare regime.
Natural Broad Spectrum SPF30 Sunscreen — Grown Alchemist
SUNSCREEN
Purpose
The main purpose of sunscreen is to protect your skin against the sun's broad spectrum of harmful UV rays. Additionally, it helps protect against the visible signs of ageing and reduces the risk of developing skin cancer. Overall, sunscreen keeps the skin healthy both in function and appearance!
About
An invisible, light weight, vegan formulation that blends effortlessly to the skin, that features innovative ultra-sheer natural Zinc Oxide to provide broad spectrum protection from damaging UVA/B rays and environmental aggressors. 100% Natural. 100% Reef Safe.
How to Apply
Apply approximately 1/2 — 1 tsp. of sunscreen to your fingers. Gently, cover your entire face with a layer of sunscreen and massage into your skin, until there are no more remnants. Then, wait 15-20 minutes before going outside for the sunscreen to be effective. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when outdoors, and especially right after swimming or sweating.