Do you ever get out of bed, eyes still half-closed, feeling all puffy and without energy? Do you stand in front of the mirror, see yourself and ask: where do I start? Should I even bother?
Your skin might feel lifeless. You might have big circles under your eyes, ever-present pores, a pimple or two, and all kinds of other imperfections the morning light loves to enhance.
If it's any consolation, you are definitely not alone. We've all woken up to breakouts and skin imperfections at one point or another. And every time we neglect ourselves, an acne outbreak is on schedule. If we want to look great, we must treat our skin the way it deserves with the best skin care products for our face.
Stay with us here - nobody is born glowing, and nobody wakes up glowing either! The secret is in the little daily investments we make to take care of ourselves. It doesn't have to be much - devote 20 minutes in the morning to doing your skin care right! It will be worth it in the long run when you reap all those amazing benefits. How we feel is how we look - don't forget that!
But why don't you decide for yourself? Read on, try this daily skin care routine for a week, and thank us later when those annoying pimples are gone for good.
The Acne-Free Morning Routine
Step 1: Wake up Fresh - Beauty Sleep is Real
It all starts even earlier than the morning - 8 hours earlier to be exact.
The first thing you need to do for yourself (and your skin) is to get a good night's sleep! We can't stress this enough. It's just really important. If you are getting fewer than 6 hours of sleep, it will show on your skin. Many people have confirmed that they started noticing differences in their appearance around two weeks after they improved their sleeping patterns. And here is the evidence.
No More Wrinkles
The skin repairs itself while we sleep. Part of the repairing process revolves around the production of collagen. You must have heard about collagen by now - the essential protein that acts as the glue holding your skin together. One of its most well-known benefits is the ability to "reverse skin aging." In other words, it stimulates elastin, making the skin youthful, healthy, and wrinkle-free.
A good sleep schedule will encourage collagen and elastin production.
A study published in 2015 found that hydrolyzed collagen production is, without a doubt, an important weapon in the everyday fight against skin aging.
Make Your Skin Glow
Another thing that happens while we sleep is increased blood flow to the skin. Sleep deprivation causes a decrease in blood flow, resulting in dry, dull, and colorless skin. So if you have a poor sleep schedule, you can forget about having rosy cheeks.
Should we even mention dark circles? Chances are, you know this all too well. Give your skin a chance to show you how beautiful it can be - treat it to quality sleep on a regular basis.
Step 2: Drink Your Water
You might be tired of hearing this, and you probably know all about the golden rule: drink eight glasses or 2 liters of water a day. But, as part of your new skincare routine, you'll need to get into the habit of drinking a glass or two right after you wake up. This is a great way to flush out internal toxins before all the daily challenges, like pollution or sun damage, kick in.
Step 3: Exercise
We can feel you are already shaking your head, thinking: It's just not going to happen! But here is why you should make this a part of your morning routine - and, yes, it is important for those acne outbreaks!
Don't get us wrong. We're not talking about an hour of intense, soul-crushing, fat-burning exercise. No, no, what you should do is stretch. Head rotations, arm rotations, and forward folds to get that blood flow to the head. Try backbends to open the chest and increase oxygen intake. Depending on how much time you have, everything between ten to thirty minutes is perfect.
You may have woken up when you left the bed, but your body needs a little more stimulation.
Exercise helps the body de-stress, which leads to fewer acne outbreaks. Additionally, physical activity increases blood circulation, which sends more oxygen to your skin cells and removes waste from them.
This step might be hard to hold on to, but it will change your life - and your skin!
Step 4: Wash Up!
We're going to imagine you heading toward your bathroom after a couple of minutes of morning exercise. This timeline is perfect because you get all the benefits from working out and none of the skin irritation that comes from sweat sticking to your skin too long. Take a shower, and wash away all the toxins and sweat your body threw out through your pores.
Make sure you wash your hands well in preparation for your new skin care routine, and gently scrub your face with a clean washcloth.
Step 5: Use a Gentle Cleanser Against Acne
Now your skin is ready for some cleansing.
You might already have a favorite cleanser that works magic with your skin type, and that's great. From gel cleanser products to cleansing oil, there are a lot of choices out there.
But, in case you don't know where to start, we'd suggest picking up a hydrating cleanser that contains hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide. These ingredients are found in most acne treatments because of their amazing exfoliating properties. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide fight inflammation and unclog pores. The result is clearer skin with fewer blemishes. Salicylic acid is also great for blackheads, too, because it shrinks pores.
Gently cleanse your face using a cotton pad. Make sure to include your jawline, neck, and the area in front of and behind the ears. Some people prefer using their fingertips, which is good if you're absolutely sure your hands are clean. Otherwise, you're adding more fuel to the fire. Be careful. Good hygiene is key.
Step 6: Tone the Skin
After cleansing your face, you're ready for the toner. Apply toner to a cotton ball and gently smooth over the face - this will remove any cleanser residue and oil.
The toner will help balance your skin and stop it from overproducing oils. Make sure you choose an alcohol-free formula because alcohol can be drying and irritating, especially for sensitive skin types. Look for soothing ingredients; if the product contains chamomile, hibiscus extract, and vitamin E, it's a good choice. If you're looking for a trusted recommendation, try this toner here.
If you have dry skin, you can skip this step as it might make your skin drier. But for those with oily skin, toner is really important and shouldn't be missed out.
Step 7: Use a Serum
This step is optional, but if you decide to use a serum, do it after you've toned and before moisturizing the skin. Some people prefer serums because they have a higher concentration of active ingredients than moisturizers or cleansers.
A good serum might be just the thing your skin was missing - it might be the final step to a glowing, radiant appearance. Look at this as a personalized step that will allow you to achieve your skincare goals without taking too much time. Serums are light in texture and absorb very quickly.
For best results, use a few drops of an antioxidant serum - we'd recommend a vitamin C serum.
The method of application is important. Take just one drop and spread it over your entire face and neck. Since your skin is damp from your toner, this will make for an easy application. Let the serum absorb for 60 seconds before applying moisturizer.
Step 8: Don't be Afraid to Moisturize
Almost done! Don't skip this step, even if you think you don't need it, since you might have oily skin. Moisturizing is good for all skin types. Be careful about choosing one labeled as oil-free and non-comedogenic.
Additionally, make sure the moisturizer you have is recommended for oily skin. A good, oil-free moisturizer won't trigger breakouts but will ease dryness, flakiness, and peeling. Acne treatments can completely dry out your skin; you'll want the perfect moisturizer to counteract that.
You can also invest in additional products, such as an eye cream to handle the delicate skin around the eye. Eye cream is the perfect way to tackle fine lines and wrinkles, as well as get rid of dark circles and undereye bags.
Step 9: Protect the Skin From the Sun
Never leave the house unprotected from the sun. You might love summer, but those UV rays can seriously hurt your skin, cause dark spots, and even lead to skin cancer. Look for a product with an SPF of at least 15, depending on where you live and how exposed you are to the sun. Whether you have dark skin or light, you can still get sun damage. Protect your skin barrier from harmful UV rays at all costs.
Seems Like a Lot? We've Got You Covered
We get it. Creating a good morning skincare routine can be a chore, but it doesn't have to be - not where Misumi is concerned! Try Misumi's Complete Clear 3-Step System. This system contains everything you need for a morning skin care routine, including a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. It will cleanse your face of dead skin cells and unclog pores, as well as kill acne-causing bacteria. Not only that - it reduces inflammation and redness, soothing your skin.
If you have acne-prone skin, this skin system is a must-have for you.
Things You Shouldn’t Do
- Don't use harsh soaps! They won't unclog your pores and might irritate your skin. Opt for a soap-free cleanser where you can, as this will improve skin health.
- Don't use oily hair care products. Be careful about what you put on your hair. A lot of haircare products contain oils that cause most of the damage around the hairline, where they trap bacteria and cause acne outbreaks.
- Don’t talk too much on your phone. Several studies have shown that cell phones are hotbeds for germs - and you are putting them on your cheek! Just to be safe, de-germ your phone now.
- Want clean and glowing skin? Stop touching your face. Your hands get dirty throughout the day and carry lots of bacteria.
- Avoid moisturizer. Some people worry that it will make their skin too greasy, but avoiding this step may leave you with dry, flaky skin.
- Make things too complicated. It may be tempting to add in extra face oil, eye cream, and green tea masks, but none of this is actually needed. Instead, start simple with the basics: a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. If you feel like adding more products to your skin care routine after a while, go for it! But starting basic will ensure you're more likely to stick to it.
- Choose the wrong products. If you have dry skin, you'll need to keep your skin hydrated. If you have acne-prone skin, you'll want products to help you soak up all that excess oil. If you have mature skin and want to tackle fine lines and wrinkles, you'll need moisturizing products to get through that skin barrier. Look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
If you have any skin concerns, speak to a board-certified dermatologist. They'll be able to put your mind at ease and help you find the perfect products for your skin tone and type.
What About Night Time?
Your night routine is just as important as your morning skin care routine. In fact, it might be even more important since you're washing away impurities, environmental pollutants, and debris build-up from throughout the day. You will definitely need a good cleansing routine to eliminate all that dirt. In fact, this study proved that "using a relevant daily routine [...] demonstrates visible skin benefits."
Gentle exfoliation should be part of your nighttime routine, but you don't want to overdo it!
A good night cream wouldn't go amiss either, especially if you suffer from dry skin. Make sure you opt for night creams that won't clog pores - the last thing you want to do is wake up with a breakout.
A good morning and night time skin care routine will keep your skin looking the best it can be.
And That’s It!
Congratulations, now you are ready to seize the day, energized and protected.
We know change can be hard, but this morning skincare routine will be your most powerful weapon against acne and bring you several steps closer to the impeccable skin you've always wanted. And, if you are anything like us, you know it's worth the effort!
No two faces are the same, and no two skincare routines should be either. Choose the best products for your skin type and tone. From chemical exfoliants (such as alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid) to eye creams, there are so many products you can incorporate into your morning skincare routine.
One more note - always do a patch test before introducing new products into your skin care routine (especially if you have a sensitive skin type). Remember, if you ever have any skin concerns (whether you've noticed some new symptoms, you're concerned about the products you're using, or even if you just have questions about your skin care routine order), talk to a board-certified dermatologist.
You deserve glowing skin. Go and get it!
FAQs
How much time would I need to spend on a typical morning skin care routine?
Depending on how extensive your skincare routine is, you might end up spending less or more time in the bathroom. If you stick to cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, then a good morning skin care routine should take 10 - 20 minutes. If you have a more extensive skin care regimen, including additional spot treatment products, eye creams, and exfoliation, it can take much longer.
What does your skin need in the morning?
It's always best to start off with a cleanser. Whether you're using cleansing oil or foam, this will refresh your skin and remove any impurities, sweat, and natural oils that will have gathered on your skin in the night.
What is a really good morning beauty routine?
A really good morning skin care routine is simple yet effective. At the very least, you should be using a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. The best morning routine will refresh skin after a good night's sleep and make you feel ready for the day. It'll eliminate all the excess oil, dead skin cells, and sweat that may have accumulated throughout the night. For the best results, use a morning and night skincare routine.
References
American Academy of Dermatology - Face Washing 101
Does poor sleep quality affect skin ageing?
Mobile phones represent a pathway for microbial transmission: A scoping review
