The morning skin care routine you should never skip

Trying to figure out how to take care of your skin properly can be completely confusing. How many skin care products do you really need to use to get that pretty-looking glow? And what order do you have to apply them in? Plus, do you really need to use broad-spectrum sunscreen every day of the year? (The answer to that one is a resounding yes.) Honestly, the list of questions seems like it’s endless!

But when it comes to your morning skin care routine, there are quite a few habits that are worth adopting if you want to help keep your complexion in tip-top shape. Ready to shake up the start of your day? We know you’ve already got your latte and avocado toast-making skills down pat (your social media feeds are proof of that), so now it’s time to show us how well you can pamper your skin in the A.M. Take the guesswork out of the process by following this six-step morning skin care routine. Trust us: The few extra minutes you spend using facial cleanser, face moisturizer, charcoal mask (and more!) when you wake up will be worth it for how many compliments you receive. Your complexion is going to be really happy you took our skin care advice! Let’s get started.

MORNING SKIN CARE Routine STEP #1: CLEANSE YOUR FACE WITH MICELLAR WATER

First things first: It’s time to get clean! Sweat, dirt, and oil can build up on your skin while you sleep (and this buildup can lead to clogged pores, which can lead to breakouts and blackheads), so go ahead and make this the first step in your morning skin care routine. Not sure what kind of facial cleanser to use? Start your day off with a micellar water, which doesn’t require any rinsing or rubbing. The L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser – Normal to Dry Skin hydrates and soothes, the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser – Normal to Oily Skin purifies and mattifies, and the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types intensely purifies. No matter which you choose, each micellar water removes makeup, dirt, and impurities in one step. Just grab a cotton pad and soak it with your micellar water if choice. Then, gently wipe the pad all over your skin. You’re good to move on to the next step.

Morning Skin Care Routine Step #2: Double-Cleanse with a Clay Facial Cleanser

Feel like you need a deeper clean in the morning? Once you’re done with micellar water, reach for a clay facial cleanser and go for a double-cleanse, which can help remove any remaining impurities from the surface of your skin. Try the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Cleanser, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Purify & Mattify Cleanser, or L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refine Cleanser. Squeeze a small amount of your facial cleanser of choice into your hands and add water to transform it from clay to mousse. Gently massage your facial cleanser onto your face, then rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.

MORNING SKIN CARE Routine STEP #3: Use a Face Scrub to Help Get Your Glow On

Scrub-a-dub-dub! After cleansing, your next step should be exfoliating. Use a face scrub to help slough off dead skin cells, which can build up on the surface of your skin and ultimately lead to the appearance of dullness. When it comes to how often you should exfoliate each week, everyone’s skin is different. Some people’s skin can tolerate exfoliating every day, while others skin is more reactive and can only handle it once a week. Make sure to pay attention to how your skin feels post-exfoliating so you can determine how often is best for you. The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Scrub, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Scrub, and L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Scrub should be used three times a week for best results. Formulated with three types of sugar, these face scrubs gently yet effectively exfoliate the surface of skin on both your face and your lips. Using dry fingers, smooth a small amount of your face scrub of choice onto clean, dry skin, avoiding your eye area. Massage the face scrub over your face with wet fingers, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. (Here’s How to Use a Lip Scrub Before Applying Lipstick.)

MORNING SKIN CARE Routine Step #4: LAYER ON A FACIAL SERUM

Not quite sure what a facial serum does? Generally, they are highly concentrated formulas that can help target specific skin concerns, such as fine lines and wrinkles, dry skin, or dark spots. They can also help to improve the overall appearance of your skin, too. Meaning: It’s probably worth adding one to your morning skin care routine if you haven’t already! Need help picking out a serum? Here are Our Best Serums for Every Skin Concern.

MORNING SKIN CARE Routine STEP #5: Apply a MOISTURIZER WITH SPF

By now, you know how important it is to use sunscreen every day…right? Allow us to explain: When you spend time out in the sun unprotected, this can lead to sun damage, which can in turn lead to visible signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles and dark spots. So, it’s important to look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and apply it daily as directed. (FYI, you should be taking other sun protection measures as well, including limiting your amount of time in the sun—especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., which are the sun’s peak hours—seeking shade, and covering up exposed areas in long sleeves, pants, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses. The good news is, you can cut down on the number of steps in your morning skin care routine by using a moisturizer with SPF, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Day Moisturizer SPF 30. Formulated with glycolic acid, Pro-Retinol, and vitamin C, this daytime moisturizer immediately makes skin appear brighter, while dull, uneven skin tone is renewed with continued use over time. This moisturizer is also formulated with broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30, so apply as directed, while being sure to take other sun protection measures.

MORNING SKIN CARE Routine STEP #6: PREP FOR YOUR P.M. ROUTINE

Congratulations! You’ve successfully made it through your morning skin care routine. We hope you feel accomplished! But practicing good skin care habits doesn’t end in the morning. In fact, you don’t want all the hard work you’ve done to go to waste. Make things easier on yourself by placing a pack of towelettes, like the L’Oréal Paris Ideal Clean™ All Skin Types Makeup Removing Towelettes, on your nightstand (or anywhere you’ll see them) so that you never forget to take your makeup off at the end of the day. Sleeping in a full face of makeup can clog pores and lead to breakouts and blackheads. Say what? Yep, you heard us correctly. Since, like we said earlier, your skin builds up sweat and oil while you snooze, any makeup that is left on overnight can mix with that buildup, leading to further pore congestion. Gulp. That’s why it’s a smart idea to have towelettes within close reach!

Bonus Morning Skin Care Routine Step

If mornings have you in a rush, consider slowing down once in a while by indulging in a face mask. Once you’re done cleansing, apply a face mask that address your skin’s specific needs. Choose from the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Purify & Mattify Face Mask, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refining Face Mask, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clear & Comfort Face Mask, and L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clarify & Smooth Face Mask. Apply your face mask of choice to clean, dry skin, leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry. Use one of these face masks 2-3 times a week for best results.

News flash: There’s no excuse to skip your nighttime skin care routine either. Next, read up on The Nighttime Skin Care Routine You Should Never Skip.