Morning vs. Night Skincare Routines: What to Use and Why It Matters
Skincare can feel like a lot—but it doesn’t have to be. With just a few thoughtful steps in the morning and evening, you can build routines that work with your skin (and your schedule) instead of against it.
Whether you’re a skincare minimalist or someone who loves a good 5-step lineup, here’s how to structure your morning and night routines—and why each one matters.
Morning Routine: Protect + Prep
The goal in the morning is to protect your skin from environmental stressors (like sun and pollution) while keeping it hydrated and prepped for the day ahead.
Step 1: Gentle Cleanser
Start with a light, non-stripping cleanser to refresh the skin and remove any product buildup from the night before.
Step 2: Hydrating Toner or Essence (optional)
This helps rebalance your skin and adds a layer of lightweight hydration—great for drier skin types or anyone dealing with seasonal shifts.
Step 3: Antioxidant Serum
Look for something with Vitamin C or niacinamide. These ingredients help brighten the skin, even tone, and protect against environmental damage.
Step 4: Moisturizer
Even if you have oily skin, don’t skip this step! A lightweight gel or lotion will help lock in hydration and keep your barrier healthy.
Step 5: SPF (always, always, always)
This is the most important step in your morni
Night Routine: Cleanse + Repair
Evenings are all about giving your skin a chance to rest and repair. This is when you can bring in more targeted treatments.
Step 1: Cleanser (double cleanse if you’re wearing makeup or SPF)
Start with an oil or balm cleanser to break down makeup and sunscreen, then follow with a gentle cleanser to fully cleanse the skin.
Step 2: Exfoliant (2–3x/week)
Depending on your skin’s needs, you can use a chemical exfoliant like lactic acid or glycolic acid to slough off dead skin cells and encourage renewal. Don’t overdo it—2–3 times a week is enough for most people.
Step 3: Treatment or Serum
This is where you can bring in retinol, peptides, or targeted serums for acne, texture, or aging. Go slow and be consistent.
Step 4: Moisturizer or Night Cream
A richer moisturizer at night helps support your skin’s natural overnight repair process.
Here is a little tip: Are you ever lying in bed after a long day, tired, and not wanting to get up to do your skincare routine? We feel ya! We always tell people to do their nightly skincare routine right when they get home for the day, not right before bed. Get home, shower, get cozy, and do your nightly skincare then! Think of it as a little selfcare session every night– you and your skin deserve it.
Step 5: Optional Add-Ons
Eye cream
Facial oil
Overnight masks
Build What Works for You
These steps aren’t set in stone. If five steps feel like too much, focus on the basics: cleanse, moisturize, and protect in the morning; cleanse, treat, and hydrate at night. The most important thing is consistency.
And of course, if you ever want help building a routine based on your skin goals, we’re always here to help.