Nighttime Vs Morning Skincare Routines: What To Swap, What To Drop
Your morning and nighttime skincare routines probably follow the same basic steps: cleanse, boost, and moisturize.
But that's not how it should be. At least not for the most part, anyway.
While some skincare products work effectively both in the am and pm, some products work better during one or the other. To keep your skin healthy, fresh, and clear, you need to distinguish when to use what.
Figuring out the proper steps is crucial to maintaining healthy skin. If your steps are all wrong, you could end up dealing with issues like redness, irritation, or breakouts.
To make sure you're layering your moisturizer and antioxidant serums properly, we've developed a guide of what to swap and what to drop in your am and pm skincare routines.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE
Morning skincare: In the am, it's all about hydration and protection. As soon as you leave the house, you're instantly exposing your skin to UV rays and pollution that cause oxidative stress and free radical damage. As a result, your skin barrier becomes compromised leaving the skin weaker, thinner, and dryer. That's why it's crucial to wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to give your skin the protection it needs.
And because you wear makeup in the morning, use a lightweight cream and serum underneath to help the makeup glide on and layer better.
You can also embrace an au natural look by cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen before you go out. You'll instantly look brighter and fresher!
Nighttime skincare: In the pm, your skin focuses on repairing and rejuvenating itself. Your skin barrier is also more permeable at night, which means your beauty products penetrate the skin more deeply. Thus, you should be using your best eye creams, face oils, and retinol serums at night to make them work harder. It's the time to address your skin concerns with active ingredients.
Now you know the difference, you can start using products that help your skin instead of hindering it. Let us show you how!
WHAT NEEDS TO STAY IN AM AND PM SKINCARE ROUTINES
So, there are a few products you can use both in the morning and evening.
Cleanser
Wash your face morning and night with a cleanser suited to your skin type. Cleansing the skin twice a day is essential to remove makeup, dirt, oil, and grime, and prevent blackheads and whiteheads.
If you've got oily skin or acne, invest in an oil-free cleanser formulated with salicylic acid to clear pores and balance oil production. Got dry skin? Opt for a more hydrating formula and follow up with a moisturizing toner.
Recommended product: Truly's Super Matcha Facial Cleanser.
Eye Cream
"Always use an eye repair serum, since this is one of the more sensitive parts of the face and ages faster than other areas," says Dr. Ellen Marmur, dermatologist and founder of Marmur Metamorphosis Skincare. "People may habitually itch and rub their eyes during the day due to dryness or just pure stress."
Got dark circles? Look for an eye cream that lightens darkness in the eye area.
Recommended product: Truly's Eye Candy Anti-Puff Cream.
Topical Acne Treatment
If you're acne-prone, consistency is key. That's why you should follow this step both in the morning and at night to actively address your breakouts. Whether you use a cream, gel, or acne patches, you should be treating those pimples consistently to see results.
Recommended product: Truly's Super Star Acne Patches.
WHAT TO SWAP AND WHAT TO DROP
AM
Swap: Heavy Creams
For: Lightweight Creams
Heavy moisturizing products should be applied at night instead of the morning to prevent clogging your pores. Opt for lightweight lotions instead to satisfy dry skin without increasing your risk of pimples.
Look for ingredients like plant and nut oils which have high concentrations of fatty acids to hydrate and nourish your skin. Hyaluronic acid is another excellent ingredient for nourishing the skin.
You'll often notice that night creams tend to be richer. That's why they're designed for evening use, as they sink into the skin better then.
Recommended product: Truly's Cream Skin Face Cream.
Swap: Retinol Serums
For: Vitamin C Serum
A hydrating serum is essential for morning use. Plus, it works great under makeup to give a nice, dewy finish. Look for a serum with antioxidants like vitamin C to protect your skin from dryness and free radicals. It also offers brightening effects and helps fade dark spots.
According to dermatologists, vitamin C serum worn under sun protection cream can boost its protective benefits.
Retinol shouldn't be used in the daytime if you plan on going outdoors as it sensitizes the skin to sunlight.
PM
Swap: SPF
For: Overnight Masks
Overnight masks deliver intense hydration and lots of nutrients to the skin to help it repair as you sleep. You can choose from a range of overnight face masks, depending on your needs.
If it's anti-aging, choose a mask that actively targets fine lines and wrinkles. Something with retinol and collagen would be a good choice. If it's dullness, choose a mask that brightens through exfoliants with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid. These can help remove dead skin cells so you can wake up with a brighter skin tone.
Seeing as your skin isn't exposed to the sun or pollutants, you can skip the spf in the evening.
Recommended product: Truly's Starface Jelly Sleep Mask.
Drop: Makeup Remover Wipes
You don't need them.
Makeup removal wipes may get rid of your foundation and mascara, but they don't remove the impurities from oily skin. Plus, they contain irritating ingredients which can cause redness and irritation - especially in those with sensitive skin.
Morning and nighttime skincare routines don't look a lot different on the surface. But when you get down to the nitty gritty, there are differences - key ones.
While cleansing remains the same in both routines, serums, moisturizers, and SPF differs between the two.
Follow our advice and you can be well on your way to radiant skin. You just need to nail your am and pm skincare routines!
