I have been posting on this blog for almost 18 months and have revisited my skincare routine a couple of times already.  This is because the same routine doesn’t always suit at different times of the year.  Not only that but wanting to try new products all of the time leads to changes in what I use but that way I figure out what suits my skin and what doesn’t!

Products may be different but the routine itself is generally the same so I thought I would share some of my favourite products that form my morning routine…with evening to be revisited in the next post.

Essentially my routine would look like this when I wake up:

1.  Cleasnse

Without a doubt, the first step in the morning is cleanse.  I know some people say that they don’t cleanse in the morning because they’ve got such a good night time routine and of course it’s each to their own, however I couldn’t personally imagine leaving the houses having not washed my face!  The cleanser that I use in the morning is generally something light and refreshing.

 

My absolute favourite at the moment is the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel.    It has vitamins A, C and E, Omega 6, Starflower oil, pumpkin enzymes, Chamomile and Rose.  It smells AMAZING and my skin feels soft and awake.

A couple of other cleansers that I think are great for a morning cleanser are the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Geleé Milk and the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, both of which are light and easy to use.

2.  Acid Tone / Hydration Tone

At this point I used to use a traditional ‘toner’ which I did stop using in favour of an acid toner on most days, followed by a moisturising spritz which I use every day.

 

I like to use a glycolic acid toner and for this I have two favourites, Pixi Glow Tonic (5%) and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid (7%) toner.   Acid toners help to remove dead skin cells which help to brighten the skin but also helps to treat fine lines, dullness, oiliness.  I don’t necessarily use an acid toner every morning but it’s usually part of my routine.  I always follow this with (or use on it’s own if I am not using an acid first) a hydrating toner or spritz.  I have a few favourites here.  The Indie Lee CoQ10 toner featured in my February Empties post.  Serozinc is a summer favourite as it contains Zinc so really helps when my skin is oily.  Its a lovely, refreshing spray that I also use throughout the day also.  My current spritz is from the Clinique Moisture Surge range.  This gives a moisturising spray and like the Serozinc, can be used at other times.

3.  Eye cream

I suffer from dry skin under my eyes.  The eye cream that I use during the day has to not only be hydrating but also has to not interfere with my makeup as I have used some in the past that don’t work well under concealer!

 

Clinique are one of my current favourite brands at the moment for eye creams…and moisturisers in general.  The Repairwear Laser Focus, All About Eyes and Pep-start are all ones that I use again and again.  All work well under makeup and they seem to work well to hydrate my under eye.  I have also just started using the NIOD FECC serum but haven’t formed an opinion of this yet so I will review it soon.

4.  Serum

I like to rotate my serum choices and generally I use ones that are aimed at anti-ageing and hydration.

 

I am currently using The Ordinary’s Buffet and The Clarins Double Serum – both of which my skin seem to love!  I usually rotate these each day but have layered them absolutely fine.  Some days I will layer a couple of serums, it just depends how long I have to spend on my skincare each morning!  One serum that I have run out of at the moment is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid & B5…when I was using this I didn’t think it was really doing anything for my skin…since I have stopped using it, I now know I really could do with it for the extra hydration so I am intending to add this back in!  Serums really do depend on what your skin concern is as to what ones you should use.  The ones that I am using are as I say, for general anti-ageing.

5.  Moisturiser

One of the newer products I have added into my routine is this Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate.  This is an additional layer of hydration that goes on just before moisturiser.  It is a very lightweight gel but gives the skin a hydrating boost.  My skin does feel more hydrated when this is in my routine and I absolutely love the Moisture Surge range generally!

 

I use the concentrate (of which 1 pump covers my face so this will last a while!) then follow it with the Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief moisturiser.  It is a lightweight gel-cream which is absorbed really well and sits great under makeup.  My skin feels suitably hydrated without any oiliness or residue.

6.  SPF

Quite possibly one of the most important steps in the morning skincare routine.  Whether or not you use acids in your routine you should use an SPF.  Acids will increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun so it’s even more important to be covered!

My favourite SPF is this Skin Defence SPF50 by The Body Shop.  I have avoided sun creams for my face or moisturisers that contain them as I have found them to cause breakouts.  This is very light, works well under makeup and seems to suit my skin absolutely fine.  I have featured this in an empties post and replaced it quickly!  I wasn’t sure on the product to begin with as it does have a scent to it but this doesn’t last after application so I don’t mind it at all any more.

7.  Lip Balm

I try to make sure I use lip balm at the start of my routine to give it time to work ready for when I want to apply my lippy but I usually forget! Haha!  That said I try to use it every day no matter when I apply it because I do suffer with dry lips.

Dr Paw Paw ointment is my favourite thing to use for a lip balm.  It is soothing, moisturising and really helps my dry lips and prep them for lippy.

Extra treats!

My routine is pretty standard but sometimes I swap products around, add some in or miss some out but those steps are the basis of what I do every morning.

 

NIOD’s Mastic Must is a morning mask that I use as a treat.  It helps to refine pores which is something I need!!  My skin feels utterly amazing when I have used this.  I use this weekly…it can be used more often but I use so many other things I don’t want to over-do it!!  The Clinique Fresh Pressed kit is also something I use as a treat.  For more on this, check out my post Clinique Sets – Fresh Pressed Vitamin C   This is something that I use for a week every so often as a brightening treat when I feel my skin needs it.

So that’s my routine for mornings.  It may seem like a lot but it really doesn’t take long at all!!

I am looking at trying some more products from The Ordinary but if you are confused about any of their products (as they can be a little confusing!!), check out a fab group on Facebook for which I am a Moderator.  It has over 30,000 members all asking for advice, giving advice, sharing stash photos, before and after photos and just generally helping each other out!!  Click here to check this group out!

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