My AM Skincare Routine for YOUR Perfect Skin
Before I say anything else, I want to start with the fact that nobody (you heard that right, not even Hailey Bieber) has perfect skin. And that’s okay. What I do believe in, however, is finding a skincare regimen that makes you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin. To me, that is perfect. With that said, your morning skincare routine is a chance to start your day with intentionally protecting your skin and giving it the tools it needs throughout the day! Now, without further ado, let’s go over the steps I believe make for the “perfect” AM skincare routine!
Cleanser
I am going to say this in bold, this step is optional. You better believe that there are so many (if not, most) days I splash some water on my face and then go directly in with my next step. With that, I do think it’s worth mentioning that I occasionally do love to use a cleanser in the morning (Skinfix Ectoin Hydrating Gentle Cleanser has been my holy grail recently). It’s just a nice way to leave my skin feeling clean, without being stripped.
I also like to incorporate an active cleanser a few times a week. These cleansers contain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that provide gentle exfoliation. I incorporate them a few times a week, especially after a workout to prevent breakouts. Two of my favorites are the Benzoyl Peroxide wash from Jan Marini and Dr. Dennis Gross’ Alpha Beta Wash.
Pro Tip: If you use an active cleanser, make sure to leave on your skin for a minimum of 60 seconds to activate.
Eye Cream
Next up: eye cream. Another optional step! More often than not, I will just use my moisturizer to really go around the eye area. However, if I am using an eye cream, I like to apply my eye cream right after cleansing. Starting with an eye cream can act as a buffer, reducing the chances of irritation from any active ingredients you layer on later (aka Vitamin C). I use this same technique in the evening, especially if I am using retinol.
Now, let me set the record straight—there is no magical potion that erases all dark circles, wrinkles, or puffiness. But, a well-formulated eye cream can help hydrate and target specific concerns like fine lines or discoloration.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Antioxidant Serum
After eye cream, I always suggest an antioxidant serum. For me, 9 times out of 10, it’s Vitamin C. It’s one of the most researched and effective ingredients for morning skincare, offering protection against free radicals and supporting collagen production.
Here’s the quick science: free radicals are unstable molecules caused by environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution. Left unchecked, they can damage your skin and accelerate aging. Vitamin C neutralizes these free radicals, acting as a shield for your skin throughout the day. Like…how incredible it that???
When choosing a Vitamin C serum, formulation is key. And if you are one who is fully convinced that Vitamin C doesn’t work for you, there is a good chance you just aren’t using the right one for your skin type. If that’s the case, take a peek at my list on my recommended Vitamin C for every skin type!
Here is a peek at some of my favorite Vitamin C serums include:
Moisturizer
For my dry skin girlies, this step will definitely be essential! However, this is a blog on building an AM skin routine that’s perfect for YOU. So if you have oily skin, you might be able to skip this step (especially if your sunscreen is moisturizing enough). I should say, this is also pretty dependent on the time of year. If you have oily skin and it’s summer, you probably can get away with just going in your sunscreen. If it’s winter, I would include that moisturizer step. If you’re dry, moisturizer is probably a must year round.
Now that we have covered who and when this step is necessary, let’s discuss the why! Moisturizers help lock in water and protect your skin barrier. The trick is finding one that works with your skin’s needs. Just like Vitamin C, here is a round up of my favorite moisturizer for every skin type.
Sunscreen
Here it is—the MVP of your morning routine: SPF. Without a doubt, this is the most important step to your skincare routine! Sunscreen protects your skin from UV rays, reducing the risk of skin cancer, preventing premature aging, and keeping hyperpigmentation under control (just to name a few).
I, personally, would suggest a tinted sunscreen. Tinted sunscreens contain iron oxides, which are particularly effective at blocking blue light! Looking for sunscreen that supports your skin type? I got you!
Extras
More than anything, I want this to be routine that is something you can commit to doing every single day. For some of you, these 4-5 steps are your max. That is absolutely ok and your skin is going to benefit from it (as long as you are consistent)!
If you are someone who has a little extra time in the morning and wants a little extra oomph, I will give some optional add-ons. Also, you don’t need to be as consistent with the add-ons! There might be some days you go all in, and then others, you stick to the basics!
Here are two of my favorite morning add-ons:
Ice Rolling: Before I go in with my skincare, I love a little ice roller moment. It feels nice, wakes you up, and helps to depuff your skin first thing in the morning. The cooling sensation can reduce inflammation and boost circulation. I love my ice roller from Skinny Confidential. I find that it stays cooler longer than others. Pro Tips: your skin will respond better if you put the ice roller in the fridge, vs the freezer!
Microcurrent Device:Again, on those special days where I have more time (or if I have a special event that day), I love going in with a microcurrent device after my cleanser.It just gives an immediate tone and life to your face, which I love! If you haven’t already, take a peek at my step by step microcurrent device routine!
Alright, that concludes all the steps you need to complete your “perfect” AM skincare routine! Have any questions or need product advice? Let me know! I am here to help. Let me know if you have any questions and what you want to hear from me next!
**Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and may contain products gifted in PR. This means that I may earn a small commission when you purchase via these links at no additional cost to you (thank you! It helps me keep things up and running)… As always I ONLY recommend products, goods and services that I stand behind and personally love and use.
