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What's your current morning skincare routine?

I’m using Sephora’s rose-scented cream cleanser in the shower, and then Shiseido Ibuki Protective Moisturizer and Drunk Elephant Hydration Serum for moisturizing. If I actually leave the house, I end up needing a real sunscreen because Shiseido moisturizer has so little SPF in it and is so thin (I’m just trying to finish it).

— Christine

42 Comments

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Pearl Avatar

Clairsonic with Hydrating Gel Cleanser by Glo Therapeutics
Conditioning or Purifying Toner ( I alternate)
30% vitamin c serum by Medipeel
A few drops of a Decleor Aromessence oil (neroli, iris, rose)
Silver spray
B5 Hydration by Glo Therapeutics
Vita E eye cream by Glo Therapeutics
Shiseido eye sunscreen
Sunscreen (can’t remember the name of the company)

Pteetsa Avatar

– Wash face in shower – I rotate between Pacifica Kale Detox, Quinoa Sensitive Face Wash, Jack Black Glycolic Facial Cleanser or Face Scrub.
– Apply moisturizer. My tried and true is Cetaphil Oil Control with SPF 30, but recently I started using RoC Multi-Correxion Chest, Neck, and Face Cream (also with SPF 30), and I’ve been liking it a lot. Plus, it smells nice. Even when I use the Cetaphil, I always rub some on my neck and chest. I’m hoping it helps in 20 years.

Deborah S. Avatar

I start with the Heimish Clay Cleanser in the shower because it is quick and removes the “heavy” skin care from the previous night. I then apply Sunday Riley Good Genes followed by Tidal and then a sunscreen. The sunscreen varies depending on what foundation I am planning to wear because some play better than others with certain foundations. Most days I will apply an eye cream from Shiseido and a lip treatment, again usually Nuxe Riev de Miel.

Tracey E. Avatar

Face:
The Ordinary Buffet
The Ordinary Matrixy 10% + HA
Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Supplement or First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness Serum (is usually Visionnaire but using what I have)
Bobbi Brown Face Oil mixed into The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA or Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
Clairins Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (still deciding on proper placement of sunscreen in routine above)

Eyes:
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution
The Ordinary Matrixyl (patted in dry/crepy area under eye)
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Energizing eye cream or Bobbi Brown Extra/Hydrating eye cream (as needed)

Nancy T Avatar

After I’ve caffeinated my brain, I cleanse my face with Aveeno Ultra Calming Foaming Cleanser, I try to remember to tone it with witch hazel to tighten up my pores, then I apply Origins GinZing Refreshing eye cream to my eye area, FAB Pure Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer to my face and neck unless I’m just staying home. If I’m not going out, I use FAB Ultra Repair Cream with a few drops of JM Argan Oil Light mixed in and apply that over my face and neck.

Lulle Avatar

Klorane micellar water with cornflower if I showered the night before, Dermadoctor Wrinkle Revenge cleanser if I’m having a morning shower. Then Darphin Intral toner, followed by Ole Henriksen Truth Serum with vitamin C, Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream, Kiehl’s avocado eye cream and to finish Coola Daydream primer SPF 30.

LindaLibraLoca Avatar

Gentle cleanser, AHA toner, facial spritz, serum with antioxidants and with the warmer temperatures SPF, no moisturizer. I usually have different on rotation, but right now I am testing cleanser, acid and serum by Instytutum for the blog.
Every now and again I switch to an acid cleanser followed by a gentle retinol. But only about twice a week, usually I retinol in the evenings.

Karen Avatar

CeraVe hydrating cleanser
The Ordinary glycolic acid 7%
Heritage rosewater spray
Acure eye cream
Glossier hyaluronic acid serum
CeraVe moisturizer
Neutrogena sunscreen

Anne Avatar

Face cleanser- First Aid Beauty (FAB) Face Cleanser

Serum- FAB Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum

Booster- Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate (mixed in with my serum)

Moisturizer- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream (the one for drier skin types that is actually lighter than the regular version but has sadly been discontinued) which is almost done and will be switched out to a lighter one (The Body Shop’s Vitamin C Glow-Boosting Moistuizer is the current one I have but after that one it’ll be a repurchase of the Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer which is only $2.50 cheaper but I think I prefer it to the Body Shop one for summer)

Eye Cream- FAB Detox Eye Roller (technically not an actual cream, but whatevs)

SPF- Farmacy Green Screen (the only one that has worked for me since I went on some of the meds I’m on)

I’ve also been having to put a topical pain reliever on my neck/shoulders/upper back at night and it tends to dry out my skin, so another part of my routine is to but the FAB Ultra Repair Cream on those areas to keep them from becoming too dry and uncomfortable.

Natalia Avatar

Mine is very simple. I’m currently on Korean skincare kick, so far so good (knocking on wood 🙂 ).

1. Holika-Holika 3-second starter ( the Hyaluronic one)
2. The Skin House Water Block Aqua Balm
3. It`s Skin Collagen Nutrition Eye Cream

Do not use cleanser in the morning.

Mariella Avatar

It varies so much from day to day and how much time I have. Sometimes, I just “wash” with a rinse of warm water and a face cloth, followed by a toner/essence. Most days, I skip serums and go straight to a moisturizer with sunscreen in it (Clinique SuperDefense, or something like that – I’ve used it for years and years) or if I’m using a moisturizer without SPF (Clarins, Sephora or MAC), I’ll apply Lise Watier Sun Smart (I think that’s the name) or La Roche Posay sun screen on top (the Anthelios very liquidy one). Eyes – lately, I’ve added Jouviance retinol eye stuff and then an eye cream (Clarins Super Restorative) or else La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Cream used as an eye cream.

Christine – I’ve used a few Ibuki products (a cleanser, mist and sleeping mask) and I think they’re such great products! It would be nice if that moisturizer had a higher SPF in it. I always get annoyed when I read stuff like “protective DAY cream” or “protects against environmental stresses” and yet the product has little to nothing in the way of sun protection.

Paulina Avatar

I currently wash my face with Cerave Moisturizing Cleanser. I love it because it doesn’t dry out my combo dry skin, and it’s affordable. Then I spray Urban Decay’s Quick Fix all over, which I use to help reduce redness, and after that I apply Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Exfoliant with my hands. I find that if I go a day or two skipping the exfoliant, I’ll get little pimples (although I suppose they’re better than the bigger pimples I used to get) so I use it everyday. After that is my Olay Regenerist Serum, to which I add one drop of Paula’s Choice Moisture Renewal Oil Booster (the latest addition to my routine), and finally my Cerave Moisturizer with SPF.

I feel like most of my needs are taken care of with this routine (dryness, redness, acne), but the last thing I want to take care of is fading my acne scars. Have yet to find something that actually works for that!

Ziwei Avatar

Cleanse my face with a shiseido charcoal cleanser, then put on whatever moisturizer that is near me (either shiseido white lucent or korres pomegranate)

Wednesday Avatar

It varies as I rotate products:
1. Treatment: I alternate Drunk Elephant C-Firma with Zelens PHA bio-peel as my morning treatment following cleansing.
2. Spritz after acid dry down: May Lindstrom Jasmine Garden spray or Josh Rosebrook hydrating accelerator spray. Both amazing
3. Serum I let spray sit and then go to serum: Indie Lee apple facial serum, orZelens Z luminous, Drunk Elephant B hydra
4. moisturizer which is one of many in either cream or face oil, but not both:
Drunk Elephant Virgin marula
May Lindstrom the youth dew
Darphin essential oil elixir
Indie Lee squalane facial cream
Laneige water bank ultra moisture
5. Sunscreen: Tizo2 or Bioré aqua rich or clé de peau 50+.. it depends largely on anticipated exposure and temperature. The bioré Ivan only use in extreme humidity as it is very drying
Lips: Solar Liptect spf 45 for my lips if I’m outside any length of time. It has a nice neutral tone to it.
Oops forgot Eyes: Drunk elephant Shaba complex eye serum and Shiseido wrinkle resist intensive eye contour cream.
I’ve built up my stash carefully over time. I think varying the basic program of cleanse, acid, spray, serum, moisturizer, sun protect keeps my skin in optimal condition for my age. Sorry for long post. Skincare is a big commitment.

AB Avatar

For fall, winter, and spring — I wash with Cerave for normal skin; use SK-II Cellumination as a toner; a prescription antibiotic if needed for breakouts; Kiehls ‘brightening’ eye cream (which I touch up during the day). Summer I’ll need to switch toners since my skin gets oiler. For reference — my skin is mature, normal but oiler in summer, occasionally breaks out a little.

Anne Avatar

I have dry skin:
Cleanser – Shiseido Extra Creamy
Toner – Fresh or Shiseido (hands, no cotton)
Oil/serum – Decleor Rose or Sunday Riley Flora
Moisturizer – Currently using up samples of LM and Fresh + Glycerin (CVS Brand)
Sunscreen – Dr Gross Mineral SPF 50 (spray on palm, then apply)

Kat Avatar

I’ve been using the Dr. Jart Every Sun Day UV Illuminating Sunscreen SPF 36 for a bit now and I like it. It has a finish similar to MAC Strobe Cream and it hasn’t broken me out and wears well under makeup. Everyone’s skin is different though, and it’s not broad-spectrum. If I’m spending time in the sun, I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer, which is a classic for a reason. I haven’t heard anyone say it irritates their skin, and its fine for me (as long as I only use it a few days in a row or less – it can be a bit cloggy), but again, everyone’s different. They also have a sensitive skin formula sunscreen which I’ve been wanting to try, but I couldn’t tell you if it’s good or not.

AB Avatar

My skin can be a sensitive, and I use La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 and like it a lot — comfortable, no breakout or skin issues. Package says it’s for all skin types. Also, it was rated highest of a few dozen sunscreens reviewed in a Consumer Reports study last year so I feel good about effectiveness.

MoMerrell Avatar

I may or may rinse my face first depends on the night routine I used.
I apply Josie Maran Argan Infinity Cream Oil to my face
Then I apply my makeup

Most of my skin care routine is at night so that the morning is fairly easy.

chris Avatar

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser or Borghese Fango Mud Soap in the shower
Medical topical acne treatment
Differin Gel or Clean & Clear Persa Gel
Clinique Eye Gel
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer

Codename Duchess Avatar

Stridex Pads, Kikumasamune Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture toner, Skinfood Peach Sake Pore Serum, and then whatever sunscreen I’m currently using (usually one from Biore, but I’m out right now so I’m making due with one from Coppertone)

Shannon. N Avatar

For the morning, I’ll use one pump of Marcelle ultra gentle cleansing lotion (it’s a white lotion that gently removes oil and makeup!) And wash my face to remove the build up of oIL and last night’s skin care.

I’ll then use Paula’s choice redness solutions repairing serum, patted into the skin.

Marcelle’s day cream, with no SPF comes next to moisturize.

Then I’ll tap some of Cliniques repair wear eye cream under my eyes, to take care of any dryness.

And then I’ll finish everything off with a nice thick layer of Paula’s choice non greasy SPF50 sunblock!!!

Shannon. N Avatar

I forgot to add,

My morning skin care is all about sun protection and light moisture!!

I have oily, yet dehydrated skin. So I need moisture, but not too much where my makeup will slip right off.

Im also a light skinned biracial person, so my skin is very prone to acne scarring and hyperpigmentation. So I have to wear SPF 50 in the summer, and 60 to 100 in the summer!

Kat Avatar

Zilch. I know that’s sacrilege to some people but I tried doing morning skincare (wash, serum, moisturizer, etc.) for a few months and it just didn’t make a difference in my skin. I just go right in with makeup, and if I have a bit of oil or sweat on my forehead, I just blot it off first. I might try doing skincare in the morning again for a while because I’m living in a room that gets to about 85-90 degrees easily, but unless I’m dripping with sweat, it doesn’t make a big difference for me.

For reference: I have dry skin on my cheeks and chin, normal-to-oily on my forehead and nose. My skin can be quite sensitive, and very red (both from irritation and because I’m so pale, any exertion, even walking, makes me flush). My pores get clogged and my skin flaky quickly. I am prone to a few pimples at a time, but never completely clear or with big breakouts over a large area either. I’m starting to get some fine lines on the inner part of my eyes.

Linda Avatar

Biologique Rechereche (BR) Lait VIP O2, removed with an Eve Lom muslin

P50 1970 Toner (HG forevermore)

Kiehl’s Essence, patted about

BR Serum A-Glyca

BR Creme MSR-H (moisturizer), sometimes I switch it up with other products I have by Valmont, Kiehl’s, and Chanel.

BR VIP Finishing Serum, which I love

Linda Avatar

Oops, forgot….. until summer I rely on Chanel primer with SPF. Once I spend more time outside, I’ll add a dedicated SPF before my makeup.

Bon Bon Avatar

Rinse face (washed the night before bed) facial wipe x 2 to clean it up. Cerave SPF 30 facial cream and Belif the Bomb moisturizing gel. UD setting spray, then the fun begins.

ShariP Avatar

Apparently, as of this morning I’ve added a new step…slather retinol ointment all over my face and neck…lol…I thought it was my primer and both are from The Ordinary so their packages are the same and I’m pretty blind without my glasses….my eyelids will probably peel, lol.

Lesley Avatar

I wash my face with La Roche-Posay purifying foaming gel for oily sensitive skin and follow with La Roche-Posay purifying micellar water for oily sensitive skin on cotton pads until the cotton comes away clean. Then I put on SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic serum followed by Kate Somerville Wrinkle Warrior and my nose only, Clinique Acne Solutions acne and line correcting serum. Then Avene Cleanance sunscreen in 30 SPF. These are my warm weather products. It’s different in winter.

Genevieve Avatar

Currently I am using La Roche Posay’s calming cream (for a bit of redness on my cheeks); their sunscreen product – ultra light SPF 50 and if I am going out all day, the Nude by Nature Primer. All of these products have moisturising aspects to them.

Silvia Avatar

Wash my face with Cera Vé facial cleanser and also apply the moisturizing cream under foundation instead of primer which I tried and won’t use again. I like Cetaohyl, CeraVé and Eucerin facial washes no breakouts and doesn’t brake the bank either. Lol! Thanks for mentioning Neutragena I have been using Aveeno CC with sunscream with spf 30 but I noticed small breakouts on bottom of face. Will try Neutrogena again.

Anita Avatar

I wash with water in the morning and use la Roche Posay Efficlair matte (sorry to butcher the spelling), but it does nothing for my skin, so if I’m switching to Hope in a Jar when this empties. If I need sunscreen I use an olay brand one usually, but have a hope in a jar spf 30 to try for this summer.
Then makeup!

WildDove Avatar

Water over face in the shower.
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum.
Moisturizer varies depending on whether I’m going to wear makeup that day —
Clinique DDML moisturizer or Ole Henriksen SheerTransformation moisturizer if I’m going to wear makeup,
various other face creams if I’m not.
If I wear makeup, I mix more DDML moisturizer with foundation as well.

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