Mornings can be a little hectic around here and I admit that while I love the idea of a calm morning routine, I usually hit snooze and end up feeling a bit rushed. It’s something I’m working on, but just haven’t quite nailed down yet.
But, even on those mornings where I’m running behind, one area I never ever skip? My skincare routine. It sets the tone for me and makes me feel like I’ve accomplished at least one good thing for myself before my day really begins. In that routine are three essential, non-negotiable steps that I personally believe everyone should have in their morning routine.
3 Daily Skincare Non-Negotiables
Vitamin C
I don’t think I realized the importance of a Vitamin C in my routine until a year or two ago, but man, I wish I had started using it earlier. Vitamin C not only helps to brighten, fade dark spots and give you a more even complexion, it also as a protectant against environmental stressors and pollution—things we simply can’t avoid these days.
When looking for an effective Vitamin C, you’ll want to find one that is made with stable forms of Vitamin C. Certain forms of citamin C can quickly deteriorate with with heat or sunlight, rendering them essentially ineffective. How much would that suck to buy an expensive vitamin C serum and not actually get any of the benefits?!
My favorite, tried and true Vitamin C serum is this one from Beautycounter. Made from 2 forms of ultra-stable Vitamin C, plus turmeric and camu camu. This has been a gamechanger for my dark spots and melasma. It’s easily one of my favorite products from Beautycounter…ever!
Moisturizer
Now that we live in Colorado, my skin is so much drier, but no matter where you live, moisturizer is essential. It creates a barrier and keeps skin cells hydrated and tight. This actually helps prevent breakouts. My go-to is this adaptive moisturizer. I’d say it’s good for most skin types. If you have super dry skin, I think you’d like this one—my mom has really dry skin and loves it!
SPF
I recently read or heard, I can’t remember, that if you don’t put on SPF, you’re basically erasing all those other steps you did. Serums can make your skin more vulnerable to damage from the sun, so you better put on that SPF to make sure your other products are able to fully do their job!
I have a few favorites when it comes to SPF and swap them out here and there, mostly because I keep them all on hand!
Beautycounter’s Daily Sheer Defense: This is the best everyday sunscreen in my opinion. It goes on smooth, is a mineral sunscreen, which means it won’t be absorbed into your body, and doesn’t leave any white residue. It looks amazing under makeup. And doesn’t make my skin dry like some mineral sunscreens can. It has SPF 25, so for most days, this is plenty for me!
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen: This was the first ever facial sunscreen I used and it’s amazing. It looks the best under makeup because it acts like a primer and gives your skin a really velvety finish. It’s a clean chemical sunscreen that goes on clear that gives you 40 SPF protection!
Barefaced Sheer Protection: This one is SPF 50, so I snagged it for summer and beach days where I know I’ll be in the sun for longer periods of time. It wears great under makeup as well!
And, that’s it! Three simple steps that I think everyone should have in their routine. Do you have them?! What other steps do you have to have in your morning skincare routine?
BTW, how to do your makeup like a Parisian, and the best non-toxic dry shampoos.
