The Basic Morning vs Night Skincare Routine

Did you know that how you wash your face before bed and when you start your day may be quite different? Our skin had different needs at different times of the day. While your morning and nighttime skincare routines may follow similar steps and have overlapping products, it’s important to note that not all routines are created equal. Keep on reading as we break down these two routines and understand the importance of every step. 

Choosing the right products for your skin type is the first step in building a skincare routine, the second step is the order application using the right products at the right time for your new regimen. 

Morning routines are all about protection

1. Cleanser can be optional

There is nothing wrong with cleansing your face every morning as long as you thoroughly cleansed your face the night before. Washing your face in the morning to remove all the products you applied overnight is safe as long as you're not over stripping the skin with harsh, drying cleansers. The double cleansing method is also not necessary for everyone. It depends primarily on your skin type and the makeup you wear.

2. Exfoliate

Most experts advise that you exfoliate two to three times per week as long as your skin can handle it. Gently scrub away dead skin cells using exfoliants that deeply clean the pores (focus on the areas with blackheads and flakiness) resulting in a brighter and smoother complexion.

Note: Weekly exfoliation is enough as a good starting point for newbies. 

3. Essence 

Do not forget to apply essence in your face to work on dull and uneven skin tones, wrinkles, and fine lines. It works at the cellular level to improve your skin. The Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence by COSRX can provide absolutely brilliant hydration. This high concentrated essence contains 96% of snail mucin that provides nutrients for maintaining and repairing skin moisture.

4. Moisturize with sunscreen

Apply moisturizer to seal in all the products in the previous steps. Moisturizing with a high sun protection factor (SPF) rating protects your skin from harmful UV rays, dirt from the pollution that contributes to skin aging and damage. 

5. Foundation 

If you are wearing makeup, apply a lightweight base layer liquid foundation or BB cream for a smooth and even complexion. 

The evening routines are all about skin repair

Part 1 - Cleanse Your Skin

1. Use an oil-based cleanser to remove any makeup and dirt

An oil-based cleanser can remove impurities and excess sebum without irritating the skin compared to a normal cleanser. An oil-based cleanser can also hydrate and soften skin while keeping your sebum balanced.

2. Cleanse again with a water-based cleanser foam

Double cleansing your face will help remove the dirt the oil-based cleanser leaves behind. The water-based cleanser will also sweep the remaining residue from the oil-based cleanser resulting in a thoroughly clean face.

3. Exfoliate your skin - remember to exfoliate two to three times per week

You have the option to exfoliate in the morning or during your evening routine. Use an exfoliating cleanser that gently cleans away dirt while simultaneously removing dead cells. 

Part 2 - Prep Your Skin

4. Apply toner

Avoid using alcohol-based toner as it can dry your skin. We recommend using Korean toner due to its milder, gentle formula compared to Western toners. They provide that first layer of hydration and soothing in a skincare routine while removing any left-over dirt. 

Part 3 - Repair Your Skin

5. Essence

The most vital part of a skincare regimen is the essence. The essence provides your skin with hydration, maximizing your skin's ability to absorb the goodness from the rest of your skincare routine while also speeding up cell turnover. 

6. Use Serum or Ampoule

Your face is now ready to absorb the important active ingredients to address specific skin issues like wrinkles, pigmentation, and dark spots. Serums are more concentrated in their active ingredients while ampoules are considered to be a more concentrated version of serum like a booster shot. 

7. Sheet mask

Sheet masks are soaked in essence and are packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals. The sheet mask can be used daily or a few times a week depending on the type of mask your skin needs. 

8. Invest in eye cream

Eye creams are formulated to address various concerns for the eye area like fine lines to dark circles. You can apply eye cream before or after you moisturize, whichever feels best for your routine based on your use of moisturizer and eye cream.

9. Moisturize

The importance of applying moisturizer is to lock in the previously applied products. If you have oily skin, we recommend using a light, lotion-based moisturizer. If you have dry skin then use a heavy cream-based moisturizer to prevent irritation.