Your Skin Care Routine for Every Day, Week and Month

When it comes to a gorgeous, glowing complexion, there are quite a few steps you should include in your skin care routine. Not all of them need to be done on a daily basis or even at the same time every day. Achieving some of your skin care goals like an even tone, refined texture and a radiant complexion can be done through a combination of steps taken daily, weekly and monthly. Here, we’re sharing the best way to break down your skin care routine so that your skin looks and feels its best.

ASSESS YOUR SKIN

It’s important to understand your skin's needs before establishing an effective skin care routine. To help you do this, try the new L’Oréal Paris Skin Genius tool. All you’ll need to do is upload a makeup-free selfie and the tool will evaluate your skin based on five key attributes: firmness, radiance, pore quality, even tone and fine lines and wrinkles. After assessing your skin, the Skin Genius tool will give you tailored skin care recommendations to incorporate into your routine. It’s a simple skin assessment right from the comfort of your home!

YOUR DAILY SKIN CARE ROUTINE 

After assessing your skin, it’s time to build your skin care routine. There are some things that should never change, and that includes certain daily essential skin care routine steps. These are mainstays for a good reason.

DAILY SKIN CARE TIP #1: WASH YOUR FACE

Clean skin lends to healthy skin. So, reach for a facial cleanser as part of your morning skin care routine and before you go to sleep to help wash away any excess dirt and oil that may have built up on the surface of your skin throughout the day (or while you slept). The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser is a great option because it’s a gentle exfoliating cleanser that leaves the skin clean, bright and prepped for the next step.

If you have mature skin, consider using a creamy facial cleanser, like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Nourishing Cream Cleanser, instead. As you age, your skin loses moisture, nutrients, and natural oils—which can result in drier skin. This facial cleanser helps replenish oils and gently removes traces of makeup. 

DAILY SKIN CARE TIP #2: APPLY SERUM

Serums are concentrated formulas that target specific skin concerns. You can use one in the morning and one at night, or apply the same formula twice a day depending on the formula. In order to ensure that your serum works it’s best, apply it after cleansing and before your moisturizer. 

For fine lines and wrinkles, try the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol, which is formulated with pure retinol to help visibly reduce wrinkles over time. We recommend applying retinol products at night because retinol can make the skin sensitive to the sun. 

Have dull skin? The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum is for you. The derm-validated, lightweight, antioxidant serum restores radiance, reduces hyperpigmentation, and improves skin clarity. After just one week of use, skin has a youthful radiance, while after two weeks, fine lines are visibly reduced.

For extra hydration, try the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum which works to hydrate and plump the skin while also addressing fine lines and wrinkles. 

DAILY SKIN CARE TIP #3: MOISTURIZE

Using moisturizer two times a day is vital—even if you have oily skin. Be sure to choose a moisturizer that’s appropriate for your skin type. If you have oily skin, consider opting for a water based moisturizer like the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Skin Care - Normal/Oily Skin which is lightweight yet still hydrating. If you have dry skin, try the L’Oréal Paris Collagen Filler Collagen Moisture Filler Day/Night Cream which is formulated with collagen to deeply hydrate and plump your skin. 

DAILY SKIN CARE TIP #4: PAT ON AN EYE CREAM

The eye area is not only delicate, but it can also be the area where signs of aging like crow’s feet and dark circles first appear. To ensure your eye area is best taken care of, use a hydrating eye cream like L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Eye Treatment, which not only moisturizes, but also helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and under-eye bags with continued use over time.

DAILY SKIN CARE TIP #5: APPLY BROAD-SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN IN THE MORNING

You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s worth repeating: Sun protection isn’t just a good skin care routine step, it’s a must. In the morning, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more—after moisturizer but before applying makeup. If you want to knock out two steps in one, you can use the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30 as your morning moisturizer and SPF. 

DAILY SKIN CARE TIP #6: REMOVE YOUR MAKEUP/CLEANSE AT NIGHT

When you sleep in a full face of makeup, it can mix with the dirt and oil on your skin, leading to clogged pores (and clogged pores can lead to breakouts and blackheads). Start by removing your makeup with the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof - All Skin Types. Micellar water is powered by tiny micelle molecules that cluster together to surround and lift away impurities from the skin’s surface. This particular micellar water removes all makeup—including waterproof—and leaves skin with a hydrated feel. Once you’ve removed your makeup, ensure your skin is as clean as possible by cleansing with your face wash. 

DAILY SKIN CARE TIP #7: USE A NIGHT CREAM

Night time is when you can use skin care products without having to worry about what they look like on your skin or how they sit under makeup. We recommend using a night cream before bed because night creams are typically ultra-moisturizing and a bit thicker than daytime moisturizers. Try the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Overnight Mask which is a rich night cream formulated with hyaluronic acid, Pro-Retinol and vitamin C to deeply nourish and brighten the skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles. 

YOUR WEEKLY SKIN CARE ROUTINE

Maintaining a morning and nighttime skin care routine is important, but there is one skin care staple that you don’t need to use daily—a few times a week will suffice.

WEEKLY SKIN CARE TIP: EXFOLIATE

Exfoliating face masks are great not just for their ability to make the skin look amazing, but also for the self-care that they represent. Seriously, is there anything better than sitting back and relaxing with a face mask on? If you’re looking to detox your skin and clear your pores, the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask is for you. If some gentle exfoliation is what you’re after, grab the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Rosy Tone Mask. It’s formulated with AHA to exfoliate the skin, and its cooling sensation makes it the ultimate relaxing product for a pampering session. 

For best results, use your face mask twice a week. To get your skin care routine order right, post-mask, you’ll also want to moisturize.

YOUR MONTHLY SKIN CARE ROUTINE

Some skin care routine steps can be done even less than once a week. Have a special event coming up? Add a self-tanner to your skin care lineup to create the appearance of a golden glow.

MONTHLY SKIN CARE TIP #1: EXAMINE YOUR SKIN

A monthly skin care routine isn’t all fun and games. It’s important to ensure that your skin is healthy. Once a month, check your skin for any moles or spots that have changed. If you do notice any changes, play it safe, and schedule an appointment with your dermatologist.

MONTHLY SKIN CARE TIP #2: BEAUTY TREATMENTS 

Consider visiting an esthetician once a month for more intensive skin treatments like facials, microdermabrasion, microneedling and more. They’re often quite effective for targeting dark spots, fine lines, texture and enlarged pores. These treatments can be invasive and costly, so incorporating them into your maintenance routine monthly or bi-monthly is ideal. 

MONTHLY SKIN CARE TIP #3: ACHIEVE THE APPEARANCE OF BRONZED SKIN

rocking a bronzed glow can be considered a bonus to some, but if it’s part of your regular routine, add a self-tanner to the mix for a safe application. Want to get your glow on? Try one of the following options:

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze™ Self-Tanning Water Mousse for a gorgeous warm glow. Simply pump into your hands and apply to clean, exfoliated skin. To build up the color, apply two to three times within 24 hours.   

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze™ Towelettes for Body for an on-the-go or simply convenient option. One towelette has enough product for an entire application, and you’ll be left with a streak-free, natural-looking tan.

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze™ Self-Tanning Facial Drops, Fragrance Free to give your face some bronze radiance. Mix five to ten drops with your moisturizer and wait six to eight hours after applying for the color to develop. You’ll be looking like you just spent some time in a tropical paradise. 

Photo: Shutterstock

Next: Which Vitamins Should You Add To Your Skin Care Routine?