Steps to a Fresh Face: Our Morning Skincare Routine
Skincare is something we are passionate about. Whether we are sharing tips, trying products, researching brands or reading reviews skincare is our shit.
We work hard to keep our skin healthy and glowing but we know you all feel us when we say sometimes the struggle is real! Aka when stress hits, not enough sleeps takes effect, and the blessed curse of hormone changes during your period every month.
Chauncey and I went through different struggles when it comes to our skin and how we take care of it. Trust us when we say we tried lots of different products and between us probably have spent a small fortune finding routines that work for us.
So we thought we would share what has worked for us by letting you peep our morning skin care routine.
Heather
I was blessed enough to never really have acne growing up, however I hit 30 and that shit came back with vengeance! Adult acne, hell acne in general blows on every single level. It took me a good 6-8 months to find the routine I have now. I’ve found what works for me best is practicing the Korean 10 Step Skincare Routine, it’s work but this Asian refuses to raisin!
Skin type: Combination skin that leans more to the oily side, especially around the T Zone.
Step 1: Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin
My dermatologist recommended I give this cleanser a try since it does a great job at helping to control oil during the day without being too harsh on the skin. I’ve been using this for a year and really like it. Down side it can make your face feel a little dry afterwards but that’s why I follow up with a moisturizing toner.
Step 2: Toner
Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
LOVE this toner!! It’s helps hydrate and balance the Ph levels on your skin. It’s so wonderful that your skin feels nice and hydrated after using it. I will always have this toner in my skincare routine!
Step 3: Essence
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
This is the first essence I’ve ever tried and I think it works well although I may give another a try when I’m done using this one. There is nothing wrong with it but I would love to play the field a little more to see what else is out there. It’s made with snail mucin which helps protect skin from losing moisture (key for oily skin -moisture is your friend) while also improving skin elasticity and also helps to sooth redness after breakouts.
Step 4: Serums
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
KEY to my managing hormonal acne! This serum has helped me so much in controlling my breakouts especially around my chin which is often tied to hormonal changes. It’s also done wonders to help my hyperpigmentation, being fair skinned with acne, I scar easily.
Seoul Ceuticals Day glow Serum
This serum does a good job at giving you some anti-aging help with Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid, and Hyaluronic Acid. Along with being super affordable, its ingredients mirror that of the $160 Sinkceuticals CE Ferulic Serum which is popular among that of serums with Vitamin C.
Step 5: Eye Cream
This is my second bottle of this eye cream and I love it! It smells luxurious and you can see instantaneous results. Your under eyes look and feel super hydrated after using.
Step 6: Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap
After speaking with Bianca from the Skinnary App on our IG Live Slay Hour she recommended staying mainly with the same line of skincare in one brand. The reasoning is that most products in a skincare line are made to work off of each other. This is why I’ve chosen this moisturizer, it’s my first bottle but I like how it keeps my skin hydrated all day without making it oily and the birch sap takes care of any redness that may come with a breakout.
Step 7: Sunscreen
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+
Keeping along with the CosRX line I love the lightweight feel and smell of this sunscreen. It can definitely feel like a moisturizer as well so I tend to mix my moisturizer and sunscreen together. This is my first bottle but so far so good.
chauncey
I am very blessed to have never had to deal with acne. I do occasionally have a pimple due to my time of the month, but overall I have clear skin. I've been an avid skincare user for years - you can say I'm obsessed with skincare. My eyes are my giveaway that I need rest, so I am always looking for the best eye cream. Luckily, my skin still has a youthful glow- black don't crack but you still need to have a solid skincare foundation.
Skin type: Combination skin that leans more on the dry side on my T Zone.
Step 1: Cleanser
I am obsessed with Glossier. Everyone who knows me knows I am an avid cult follower of Glossier. I love their Milk Jelly Cleanser, it removes all the dirt and makes my skin super soft. I've been using this cleanser for over 4 years and still in love with it.
Step 2: Toner
Thayer Witch Hazel and Glossier Solution
I have two go-to toners. In the morning, I like to spray Witch Hazel on my face before I apply my serums in the morning. Twice a week at night, I like to use the Glossier Solution toner to remove any dead skin I may have from the day.
Step 3: Serums
My serum game is pretty strong. I use Super Glow every morning it contains Vitamin C and Magnesium to add energize my face, I apply Super Bounce in the evening which includes Hyaluronic Acid that keeps my skin soft and smooth. I use Super Pure a couple times a week when I feel like a mini breakout is coming.
Step 4: Eye Cream
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue and Versed The Fix Emergency Eye Mask
I am obsessed with eye cream. I've been shopping for the perfect eye cream since I was in middle school. I always have suffered from puffy eyes, and dark circles run in my family. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue has saved my eyes and makes them look brighter. Versed The Fix Emergency Eye Mask has helped decrease the look of exhaustion from my eyes.
Step 5: Moisturizer
My two daily morning moisturizers are Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream and Olay Complete Lotion. I am obsessed with both of these for over 5 years. Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream is super lightweight, and my T Zone is no longer dry. Olay Complete Lotion is my go-to for more than 20 years. I know that seems extreme, but I've been using it since I was a kid. It is my mom's favorite, and I still use it because my skin loves it.
Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins is my only go-to nighttime moisturizer. I love to lather it on my face and neck since its super lightweight and makes my skin feel smooth. Always apply to your neck because we show signs of aging in our neck.
Step 6: Sunscreen
The Invisible Shield sunscreen is super light on your skin. We all need to wear daily sunscreen. Black girls, we need to make sure we protect our skin at all costs!