Creating a skincare routine involves selecting the right products and figuring out when to use them. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, timing is an important part of skincare.
Your skin type determines which products are best suited for you, but the order and time of day you apply your products also play a role. Your skincare routine should change between morning and night — here’s why.
Morning Skincare
Morning skincare mainly focuses on protection and prevention. The goal is to shield your skin from environmental aggressors like UV rays and pollution. Start with a good cleanser to remove overnight buildup of sweat, oil, and bacteria. Next, apply a vitamin C serum — or any other antioxidant-rich serum — to help fight free radicals throughout the day. Finally, use a moisturizer, preferably with SPF 30, to protect your skin from sun exposure. If your daytime moisturizer doesn’t contain sunscreen, layer SPF on top of it before applying makeup.
Evening Skincare
Evening skincare is centered around repair and rejuvenation. Since your skin repairs itself at night, your nighttime routine is the ideal time to maximize the skin-boosting benefits of sleep. If you wear makeup, now is the time for a double cleanse: first, remove makeup with an oil-based cleanser, then cleanse away remaining impurities with a water-based cleanser. Evening is also the perfect time for exfoliation, so use this part of the day to apply retinoids or physical or chemical exfoliants that promote cell turnover and collagen production (just be sure not to use both at the same time, as this can cause skin irritation and dryness). Next, apply any serums aimed at your specific concerns — whether it’s inflammation, redness, discoloration, or dark spots. Finally, finish with your moisturizer. Since moisture loss happens overnight, you might want to opt for a richer formula than your morning moisturizer.
Final Thoughts
If you’re new to skincare, the idea of morning and evening routines might feel overwhelming. However, if you want to customize your skincare to your specific needs, having two separate routines is usually the most effective way. Always follow the rule of applying your products in order from thinnest to thickest. To better remember the goals of each routine, you can think of it like this: Morning skincare is for prevention and protection. Evening skincare is for repair and correction.