Skincare Routine 101: Why Every Step Matters
If multi-step skincare routines confuse you, you’re not alone. Whether you’re brand new to taking care of your skin or trying to refine what you already do, I’m here to simplify it for you—without the TikTok fluff. Every step in your routine serves a purpose, and once you understand why, it becomes much easier (and more motivating) to stay consistent.
Let’s walk through your AM and PM skincare routines step by step—so you can build healthy skin habits that actually work.
☀️ Your Morning Skincare Routine
Think of your morning routine as your protection plan. You’re prepping your skin for the day ahead, shielding it from environmental stress, pollution, and UV rays.
1. Cleanse
Your skin sheds dead cells and produces oil while you sleep—not to mention any leftover residue from your evening routine or bacteria from the pillowcases/sheets. Do your animals sleep in bed with you? That bacteria can be contributing to skin issues. Cleansing in the morning gives you a fresh start, removing impurities so your daytime products can work better.
2. Tone
Toners help rebalance the skin’s pH—especially important if your cleanser isn't already pH-balanced. For acne-prone skin, a toner can also provide extra cleansing power and prep the skin to better absorb active ingredients. Toners set skin up for success after cleansing to allow the other products like serums/moisturizers to penetrate better.
3. Eye Cream
The skin around your eyes is the thinnest on your face, so it needs a little extra love. A lightweight eye cream applied to the orbital bone hydrates and protects this delicate area. Helps to depuff and smooth fine lines and wrinkles in the morning.
4. Serum
Here’s where the magic happens. Serums are your target treatment step—packed with concentrated ingredients to address your biggest skin concerns (like acne, aging, or pigmentation, dryness, oil ect). Because they have a smaller molecular size with the most active ingredients they penetrate deeper into the skin.
5. Moisturizer
Hydration is for everyone—even oily skin! Moisturizer seals in your serum, helps prevent trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and strengthens your skin barrier. Think of it as your skin’s daily armor. If your skin doesnt have the right protection it'll make its own! Aka more oil production or irritation!
6. SPF
The final and most important step in your AM routine. Sunscreen! This protects your skin from UV damage, prevents premature aging, and acts as an added barrier from environmental pollutants/stress. Bonus points if you use a tinted SPF for a glowy, even complexion. They give the slightest coverage for confidence!
Optional: Lip gloss or balm for a little shine and hydration. Colorescience science is one of our favorites!
🌙 Your Nighttime Skincare Routine
Your PM routine is all about recovery and repair. This is also the step of active ingredients for oily/aging/acneic skin! This is when your skin does the most healing, so the focus shifts to cleansing thoroughly and feeding your skin the nutrients it needs.
1. Cleanse (Makeup Remover)
If you wear makeup or SPF, or in general your first cleanse will remove that layer. It won’t fully cleanse your skin—yet.
2. Cleanse Again
Yes, twice. The second cleanse actually cleanses your skin, removing oil, sweat, and buildup from the day. This one step alone can make a big difference in breakouts and dullness. Its the insurance for healthy skin!
3. Exfoliate (1–3x per week)
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, allowing your other products to absorb more effectively. Ingredients cant penetrate the skin when dead skin cells are in the way! Use a gentle scrub or enzyme exfoliant—but don’t overdo it. Once to three times a week is enough, depending on your skin type. (Listen to your skin if youre feeling dry or tight cut back)
4. Mask (1x per week)
Post-exfoliation is a great time to apply a mask since your skin is freshly prepped. Whether you're hydrating, calming inflammation, or brightening, masking once a week gives your skin the boost it needs. You can always do more. It’s the energizer your skin needs!
5. Tone
Reset your pH and refresh your skin with toner before layering on the rest of your products. (Can use this under or over a hydrating mask too)
6. Eye Cream
A nighttime eye cream can hydrate and help reduce puffiness or fine lines while you sleep. Use one with a little ahas like retinal to help with fine lines! Alpharet eye is our favorite from skinbetter!
7. Serum
Target concerns like acne, pigmentation, or dryness with your go-to nighttime serum. You can have more than one serum at night. This is the time to load up! Hydration plus targeting concern.
8. Moisturizer
Seal everything in and lock in key ingredients to support skin repair overnight.
9. Oil
If your skin needs extra nourishment, applying a facial oil after moisturizer gives you that boost. Oils sit on top of your moisturizer and help protect and hydrate as you sleep.
Optional: Lip balm or gloss—your lips deserve care too!
💡 Quick Tip: Apply products from thinnest to thickest
Ask yourself: would water penetrate through oil? Nope—and neither will your serum if you layer it wrong. That’s why it’s so important to follow the proper order: from lightest to richest consistency.
🙋♀️ Remember: Your routine should be customized
What works for one person may not work for another. If you’re dealing with acne, sensitivity, or other concerns, your skincare steps and product choices might look different—and that’s okay! Always follow the advice of a licensed esthetician or skin expert who knows your skin.
Healthy skin doesn’t require 10 products—but it does require intention. Start simple, stay consistent, and know why you’re using what you’re using. If you're ever unsure where to start or what to use, I’m here to help guide you with a customized routine that fits your unique skin needs.
