Tip: Always start with the products with the most watery consistency first and then move onto the products with thicker consistency last.
Step 1: Pre Cleanse
Remove every trace of makeup on your face with makeup wipes/makeup remover
Follow up with an oil based makeup remover, by massaging it gently onto your entire face and then rinsing it off. Oil based makeup removers are amazing for this step because they are excellent at removing waterproof makeup products.
Obviously, you can skip this step in the morning. Unless you slept with makeup on… tsk, tsk! Let’s be honest here, we are all guilty of doing sometimes! >.<
Step 2: Cleanse
You’ll find that after rinsing your face with the oil based cleanser, your face will be quite oily afterwards. So to get rid of the oiliness, cleanse your face with a gentle foaming cleanser.
You want to take some of that foaming cleanser and foam the cleanser first by rubbing the product on your palms, then apply that foam on your face. After gently massaging your face with that foam cleanser, rinse it off with room temperature water.
Step 3: Exfoliate
*** For sensitive skin types, do this step a few times throughout the week or even once a week, depending on how sensitive your skin is!
I like using a gel exfoliator, such as Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel, that is really gentle and when rubbing it on your skin, it starts peeling away dead skin cells.
If you would like to check out my review on Boscia’s exfoliator, click here.
Another great exfoliator is Cure. Very similar to Boscia!
Step 4: Tone
Toner helps to balance your skin’s pH and gets rid of additional residues of dirt that you may have missed.
My favorite toners are the Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Turbo (great for older woman who use anti-aging products… my mom loves it!) and a more affordable one from Body Shop called the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner. I love this Body Shop toner because it really helped with clearing out my acne and helps to clean out any additional dirt you’ve missed. I highly, highly, highly recommend this product!!! Affordable and effective!
Step 5: Essence
Gently pat on facial essence onto your skin using your hands or even spraying it onto your face and then patting it on.
Essence is a watery liquid that is applied onto your skin. It soaks in and provides moisture and aids in skin cell renewal. A popular essence used by many people is the SK II Facial Treatment Essence. Another great one is Missha Time Revolution – The First Treatment Essence. It’s much more affordable!
Step 6: Sheet Masks
Every sheet masks should be left onto your face for around 10-15 minutes, so the products are really soaked into your skin. Sheet masks can be quite inexpensive. I like using the I’m Real Lemon Mask Sheets.
Step 7: Apply Serums
This can be a lengthy process because most serums normally combat one skin problem. There are serums out there to moisturize, brighten your skin, whiten your skin, help with skin elasticity, etc. Sometimes, you may need to apply 2-3 (or more!) different skin serums. It just depends on your skin’s condition and what problem areas you would like to target!
Wait 1-2 minutes in between applying each of the serum, so they are each absorbed by the skin.
You don’t have to apply all your skin serums everyday, you can choose to alternate between each serums each day.
I really like using the Josie Maran’s Pure Argan Milk Intensive Hydrating Treatment serum at night. It leaves my skin feeling super soft during the morning and it’s really hydrating. I LOVE it!
Step 8: Apply Eye Cream
This step is optional. It’s really up to you. People use eye creams to combat issues of dryness (the skin around your eyes are prone to dryness), wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles, etc.
Step 9: Moisturize
Moisturizing is really important in whatever skincare routine you do. It keeps your skin hydrates and allows skin cells to repair faster and turnover new cells. This will definitely help you in the long run (i.e. anti-aging benefits).
A lot of people have day and night creams. Day creams can be lighter and have sunscreen protection whereas a night creams can be a little thicker and heavier with more ingredients that work to repair, restore, and regenerate your skin cells.
Moisturizers can be different for summer and winter seasons because your skin does change. For example, your skin gets a lot drier during the winter, so a heavier moisturizer is needed. However, if your skin is used to one product, just use that. It really depends on your skin.
One of my favorite moisturizers I love to use is the Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer. I swear by this product!!! It has never failed me and I love it!
Step 10: Sleeping Mask
Sleeping masks are wonderful for moisturizing and rejuvenating your skin overnight, so your face feels really refreshed the following mornings.
If you don’t want to layer too many things onto your skin, you can definitely alternate between moisturizer and sleeping mask at night.
Other steps you can do throughout the day:
- Carry a face mist in your purse, so your skin is hydrated at all times
- Carry sunscreens with you. Many of them don’t last quite a long time, so it’s good to reapply them to protect your skin from UV rays – esp. if you live in a really sunny place.
Ps. If you haven’t already, check out my Top 6 Holy Grail Skin Care Products I love using. I give detailed reviews (pros and cons) on each of the products!
…And there you have it!! :)
Xo! – S
