If you believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you already know what you do in the morning counts. Skin care is no different. Thankfully, if you have a jam-packed start to the day, your morning skin routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Instead, discover how easy it is to complete a simple skin care routine tailored for your skin type, all while your first cup of coffee brews.

Why Do You Need A Morning Skin Care Routine? | 4-Step Morning Routine | For Dry Skin | For Normal Skin | For Oily Skin | For Combination Skin | For Sensitive Skin | For All Skin Types | Esthetician’s Morning Routine

Why Do You Need A Morning Skin Care Routine?

An effective morning skin care routine removes dirt or oil that may have settled on the face through the night. It also preps the skin and creates a healthy skin barrier to protect you from any environmental stressors during the day ahead. Stressors include pollution, blue light and UV exposure. You’ll also want to choose products that replenish and strengthen the skin throughout the day. Keep reading to find out our recommended morning skin care routine for each skin type, as well as our esthetician’s must-have products for her morning routine. 

4-Step Morning Skin Care Routine

Before we dive into product recommendations for each skin type, here are the foundational four steps to follow.

Step 1: Cleansing

Using clean hands, start your morning by cleansing the skin. The best morning cleansers work to remove any dirt (especially anything that has transferred to your face from your pillowcase), sweat, residual makeup or skin care from the night before. You can select from an oil, gel, balm or cream cleanser depending on your skin concerns and skin type. 

Step 2: Toner

There are many reasons to use a morning toner. Toners offer replenishing benefits and add a barrier of protection and hydration throughout the day. Depending on your skin, you might choose one that increases hydration, reduces oil or removes dead skin. 

To use, apply the toner to a cotton pad to the face, lightly sweeping it across the skin. Alternatively, you can spritz your toner directly onto the skin. When selecting a toner, avoid a product with a high alcohol percentage that can irritate or dry out your skin. Instead, look for a toner with soothing ingredients that address your skin’s needs. 

Step 3: Moisturize

Seal the deal on your morning routine with a moisturizer to smooth the skin and protect the skin barrier. A strong skin barrier protects the skin from bacteria and other nasties that can lead to breakouts, dryness or irritation. The moisturizer you choose should also align with your skin type. For example, a dryer skin type might opt for a thick cream-based moisturizer that adds hydration, while an oily skin type may prefer a gel-based moisturizer that will hydrate without adding bulk or oil.

Step 4: SPF

The final step is applying an SPF to protect your face for the first few hours of the day. Ideally, reapply every few hours to continue to protect your skin from sun damage. Sweat, weather, touching your face, or even using your phone can all contribute to sunscreen losing its efficacy throughout your day. This step is key, even if you’re working inside (the sun’s UV rays can get through windows!) or if the weather is looking cloudy. Sunscreen is the best defense against the aging effects of the sun and using it regularly can lower your risk of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that can protect you from UVA and UVB rays and aim for one that is at least SPF 30. We recommend reviewing our range of SPF moisturizers and sunscreens found here. 

Morning Skin Care Routines For Every Skin Type 

Morning Skin Routine For Dry Skin

Step 1: Cleanse and rehydrate your skin with the Firm Skin Acai Cleanser.

Step 2: As a further hydrating layer, follow with the refreshing Neroli Age Corrective Hydrating Mist.

Step 3: Apply the Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer to lock in moisture and provide hydration throughout the day.

Step 4: Use an SPF to shield yourself from harmful UV rays. We love the Tropical Vanilla Day Cream SPF 40 for skin in need of hydration. 

Morning Skin Routine For Normal Skin

Step 1: Cleanse with the Stone Crop Gel Wash to remove any buildup, dirt or sweat from the night before.

Step 2: Follow with the replenishing Stone Crop Hydrating Mist to leave your skin feeling dewy and refreshed.

Step 3: Apply the Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer for the hydrating benefits of stone crop.

Step 4: Normal skin will benefit from Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40 which improves the look of skin exposed to blue light stress and pollution.