How to Maximize Your Morning Skincare Routine

One of the best ways to show your skin TLC is through a healthy morning skincare routine. It’s the time of day to give your skin that radiant and refreshed glow, seal in moisture and provide a defense against UV radiation. Creating the perfect morning routine for your skin only takes a few minutes each day and with repetition the effects can reverse previous skin problems and provide a lifetime of healthy skin. Today we are going to walk through, step by step, on how to maximize your morning skincare routine.

Plus a favorite red sweater dress for the holiday season!

Step One: Wash your face with a mild soap. Gravitate towards gentle soaps without added fragrances. You don’t need to use an expensive soap, drug store facial soaps work well. Use lukewarm water and your fingers help to cleanse your skin. Avoid scrubbing. Pat your face dry with a towel that is used just for your face.

Twice weekly, add exfoliation to this step. You can do this with a gentle facial scrub or by using a chemical scrub that includes ingredients like glycolic acid or lactic acid. Introduce these ingredients carefully and slowly as they may irritate sensitive skin.

Step Two: Apply an Anti-Oxidant Serum. Give yourself a youthful appearance by incorporating a beauty elixir serum. Find a serum that is rich in anti-oxidants includes ingredients such as Vitamins C, E, ferulic acid, zinc or pomegranate. These anti-oxidants limit the production of free radicals and protect against harmful effects from the sun, pollution and smoke. Make sure this is packaged in a dark bottle to prevent the products from being degraded by light. While serums are generally more expensive, a little goes a long ways.

Favorites:

Step Three: Layer on a moisturizing sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater. Seal in the moisture and protect your skin from the aging effects of the sun. If you are prone to acne or oily skin, choose a lightweight and non-comedogenic product. Don’t forget to protect lips and eyes too!

Favorites:

For dry or mature skin: Murad Age Reform Perfecting Day Cream
For normal to combo skin: EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
For oily or acne prone skin: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 – Tinted

Step Four: Apply make-up. Choose your products wisely by well known, quality brands. Apply makeup gently with brushes or beauty sponges to avoid tugging on skin. Clean your brushes once weekly to eliminate bacteria and dead skin cells.

This formula will help to maximize your morning skincare routine, but keep in mind to listen to your skin as you go. When introducing new products, start in small amounts or begin using it every other day to give your skin time to adjust. If you have any serious skincare problems or prescription medications, speak with your dermatologist about the best plan for your skin. It may take a few weeks to see results, but the wait is worth it. Your skin will thank you.

By following this routine, my hope is you notice happy, healthier skin!

Live your life joyfully so,

Ashley