Cleansing the skin is the most important part of your routine, aside from SPF. Morning cleanses can be based on the type and condition of your skin, however, nightly cleanses are absolutely essential. I personally like starting my day with a gentle cleanser to remove oil, sweat, and other microbes on the skin that have accumulated overnight. I go in with a double cleanse every single night.
Eye Makeup Remover🐹
If I’m wearing makeup, I start with removing my eye makeup with a separate makeup remover as I wear budge-proof eyeliner and want to be as gentle as possible.
Night — Daily
Micellar Water💧
Sometimes you may find a sweep over the skin with micellar water and a cotton round is a nice way to refresh in the morning instead of a cleanse. If I leave the apartment, I like to remove my makeup with micellar water immediately after I get home from work before my full nighttime routine several hours later.
Night — Daily
Oil Cleanser (Balm)🫙
Even if I am not wearing makeup, I end my night with an oil-based cleanser to help remove sunscreen and grime from the day. I gravitate towards balm types as I love how it feels when it emulsifies with water.
Night — Daily
Water Cleanser (Foam)💧
A non-stripping water cleanser that removes all impurities is essential to maintaining a healthy skin moisture barrier. Foam cleansers are recommended for normal and combination to oily (acne-prone) skin. I developed Superegg’s cleanser to be a foam/cream hybrid with nourishing ingredients so it’s gentle on all skin types; it does not dry out the skin yet effectively removes all impurities from the day with a rich, low-foamy lather.
Morning & Night — Daily
Water Cleanser (Gel)💧
Gel cleansers are refreshing and are usually contain milder ingredients. They are recommended for normal, combination, oily skin types. Great for sensitive skin.
Morning & Night — Daily
Cleansing Milk🍶
Milky cleansers are great for softening as they contain extra moisturizing properties. They are recommended for dry skin types. Great for sensitive skin.
Morning & Night — Daily
EXFOLIATING CLEANSER (Enzyme)🫙
Gentle enzyme cleansers usually come in powder form and are a great way to incorporate gentle exfoliation into your routine.
Night — 2x/week
EXFOLIATING CLEANSER (Mechanical)🥢
Mechanical exfoliants slough away dead skin cells from the skin’s surface through the physical act of exfoliation.
Night — 1x/week
Toners help the following products in your skincare routine to penetrate deeper. They hydrate, remove cleanser residue, rebalance the skin’s pH, and work effectively as a primer for your skincare. They may also aid in exfoliation and controlling excess sebum production. Essences are similar to toners, however, they may feel a bit more viscous in nature and be a more concentrated formula that targets fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and uneven skin tones.
HYDRATING TONER
Hydrating toners replenish and soften the skin.
day/night — Daily
EXFOLIATING TONER
Exfoliating toners are effective in sloughing off dead skin, brightening hyperpigmentation, and minimizing the look of pores. It stimulates new cell growth and leaves the skin smooth, soft, and more receptive to the beneficial products applied directly afterward. It enhances nerve stimulation and skin respiration. Depending on the strength of the chemical acids, they should be used with caution. Many products nowadays include mild exfoliants so be extra careful not to over-exfoliate! Use as a part of your nighttime routine as it is essentially sensitizing the skin and leaves it vulnerable to UV rays. There are 3 main types:
- AHA is water-soluble, improves skin tone, and resurfaces the skin. Glycolic is the most common type of AHA. It is molecularly smallest and the simplest structure, which means it penetrates the skin easily and provides significant exfoliation for the skin, however, can be possibly irritating. Lactic Acid and Mandelic Acid (recommended for PIH-prone skin) are more gentle. Tartaric acid is made from grape extracts and helps alleviate signs of sun damage. Citric acid is made from citrus fruit extracts and helps even out rough patches of skin, however, it can be a bit stingy. Malic is both AHA and BHA, made from apple acids.
- BHA is oil soluble. It penetrates pore dissolving blackheads, helping to unglue sebum and dirt. It helps to reduce redness, pore build-up and stimulates collagen production. Salicylic Acid, a common BHA, is derived from wintergreen and willow bark.
- PHA is the newest type and most gentle due to its large molecular size. With hydrating properties, it is great for sensitive skin that is prone to irritation and redness. Gluconolactone is most widely used in skincare.
Night — 1-3x week
VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is the BLT of skincare – it brightens, lightens, tightens. It helps promote the skin’s natural collagen production. It smoothes the appearance of fine lines and leaves skin looking brighter and more radiant. Vitamin C is recommended for your morning routine as its antioxidant properties act as a shield from free radicals and environmental aggressors. Studies have shown that using sunscreen with Vitamin C protects the skin from further photodamage caused by ultra-violet rays,
Day — Daily
RETINOL
Retinoids (aka Vitamin A) are the only scientifically proven ingredient to reduce acne, fine lines, and wrinkles due to their ability to stimulate epidermal turnover and reveal fresh, healthy skin. It is recommended for overnight use as it is more receptive to when the skin is in repair mode already. When first starting out, your skin may go through a transition period where it may become sensitized and the skin starts to peel. You can start by applying once a week and build yourself up to applying every night.
Night — 1-7x/week
📍I’ve tried and tested my fair share of skincare products but I love discovering new brands and would love to know what works for you as well.
