Morning Skincare Routine

For Dry, Sensitive Skin

We all know the importance of having a morning skincare routine, these are the six steps I do every morning to get my skin prepped for the day. I have dry, sensitive skin so the products I used are mostly geared towards my skin type, however, some of these products would suit a variety of skin types.

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I have had a dedicated skincare routine, since I was a teenager and I can’t stress enough the benefits of taking good care of your skin. A good skincare routine can make you feel more confident, decrease your risk of skin issues and sun damage and slow down signs of ageing.

Taking note of ingredients is also really important and how your skin reacts to them. Finding what works and what doesn’t work for you may take some trial and error.

Morning VS Night

My morning skincare routine is very different to my night routine. At night I’m more focused on deep cleansing, treatments and oils to really hydrating the skin. I have more time in the evening to dedicate to my skincare routine too, which makes all the difference. In the morning, however, I like to keep it lighter so my makeup isn’t affected. I’m also more pushed for time in the morning, so I favour quick steps. My morning skincare routine takes me under 10 minutes and gives my skin everything it needs to face the day.

Rotating Products

The products I use don’t change often, in fact most of these are Holy Grail products for me, that I have purchased again and again. It’s important for me to find products I trust and see a difference in my skin. I have tried a lot of skincare over the years but I like to keep my core products the same. By only changing one product at a time, I can single out how it’s working for me. Currently the only new product to my morning skincare routine is The Ordinary Buffet serum. Everything else is tried and true. Don’t be afraid to try new products but I would advise against overloading your skin with an entire new range all at once.

Step 1 Cleanse

Cleansing is an essential part of any skincare routine and a common first step. Making sure your skin is free from dirt, excess oils and makeup is so important. There are so many types of cleansers out there, I usually favour creams and oils as I find them less stripping for my dry skin.

As a cleanser junkie I do often gravitate towards higher-end products as the ingredients and results often outweigh the price. That being said, my morning cleaner is more reasonably priced and I would never part with it. It just goes to show, it’s all about the product and not just the price tag.

Ren Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk | £19

I have so many positive things to say about the Ren Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk. It’s a product I’ve repurchased over ten times and one I never allow myself to run out of. I have even got my Fiancé hooked on this cleanser. One pump is all you need to clean your skin. I massage into wet skin and rinse off. It leaves my skin feeling soft and not stripped. Gentle, soothing but very effective, it ticks all the boxes for me as a great cleanser. The Evercalm range is amazing for sensitive skin and doesn’t cause any irritation or redness. My skin always looks brighter when I use this and it helps effectively lift away the oils and dirt that have come to the surface overnight. I love this cleanser for the morning as it’s not too heavy and doesn’t leave any residue on my skin.

Step 2 Toner

Toner may sound like a bit of a dated step, but it’s amazing for prepping the skin and unclogging pores. Toners can provide a lot of different benefits and be tailed to your skin type. I favour toners that contain Glycolic acid. If you have dry skin, Glycolic acid is going to be your new best friend. Glycolic acid helps remove dead cells and flaky skin, renewing the surface leaving you looking brighter and refreshed. Be aware that If you use glycolic acid in your routine, SPF is even more important than normal.

Pixi Glow Tonic | £18

There is a lot of hype around the Pixi Glow Tonic, and it’s totally justified. I have been through so many bottles of this toner I’ve lost count. I apply just enough to wet a cotton pad and sweep across my face after cleansing. You can use this day and night but I tend to just use it in the morning. I find it to be a real workhorse in my routine. My skin looks brighter, less flaky and it even improves signs of pigmentation. A little goes a long way, so a bottle lasts me over half a year. It’s such a quick easy step that offers amazing results. I have tried a few different glycolic toners in the past, but I find the Pixi Glow Tonic to be the perfect choice. Reasonably priced and doesn’t aggravate my sensitive skin. A must try.

Step 3 Serum

Serums tend to have more powerful and contains concentrated ingredients that focus on certain skincare concerns to really target specific areas.

I can be a bit insatiable when it comes to serums. It’s one of the products I swap more frequently in my routine. Partly because my skincare needs can shift throughout the year. For example in winter I may be focused more on extra hydration whereas, in summer I tend to look for brightening serums. The truth is I just love trying serums and the difference they can make in my skin. I have yet to really fall head over heels for a serum but there are many I enjoy and would go back too.

The Ordinary Buffet Serum | £12.70

I haven’t been using The Ordinary Buffet serum for very long, so I was hesitant to include in it in this post. Since it is the serum I am using at the moment I wanted to share with you my thoughts after a few weeks of use.

I was drawn to try this serum largely because of the rave reviews, around the brand but also because of the unbelievably price tag. Serums in the past have often been the most expensive part of my skincare routine because I’m paying for very specific concentrated ingredients. To find an anti-ageing serum for £12.70 was too good to pass up.

It can be a bit of an intimidating product as the bottle really doesn’t give much away. Buffet is designed to target the signs of ageing and can be used morning and night. As I’ve only been using this for a few weeks I can’t really speak for any long term results. I find the serum to feel a little sticky on the skin but it sinks in quite quickly. It doesn’t cause any irritation in my skin, which is a huge plus. I love the light weight texture and skin softening effect. I plan on continuing to use this as it seems to be working well for me, even if there aren’t any visible results yet. It’s a highly reviewed product and seems to work well for a multitude of skin types. I’m always delighted to find an affordable skincare gem!

Step 4 Eye Cream

As the skin around your eyes is more delicate, it’s important to take extra care. I suffer with dark circles and dryness around my eyes, which I combat with two different eye treatments. In the morning I like to stick to a more hydrating eye creams, as I’m often applying makeup later on and this helps to avoid making my under eyes look dry. Gently tapping eye cream into your under eye with your ring finger will ensure you aren’t pulling on the fragile skin. Eye cream is also amazing for making your eyes looked refreshed and reducing puffiness. It’s one of my favourite steps in my skincare routine.

Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado | £26

I’m on my third pot of the Kiehls Creamy Eye treatment. I do swap around a bit, but keep coming back to this eye cream. The rich and hydrating texture makes my under eyes look renewed. I suffer with very dry skin and sometimes eczema around my eyes. Finding something that’s amazing for sensitive skin and super effective isn’t always easy. What I love about this eye cream is how cool and hydrating it is, I really see a difference. Although, the Creamy Eye Treatment doesn’t target fine lines or darkness, I use the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Eye to fight these issues at night. Such an amazing daily eye cream for hydrating the under eyes.

Step 5 Moisturiser

Moisturiser is absolutely essential no matter what your skin type, to seal in moisture into the skin. Cleansing can strip moisture and oil out of the skin that needs to be replenished. Dry skin can not only feel uncomfortable but increase signs of ageing and unwanted texture. It’s a step not to be missed! As someone with dry skin, moisturising has always been a part of my skincare routine even as a teenager. My skin feels incredibly uncomfortable without it, and often times a normal moisturiser isn’t enough. I always look for moisturisers that have either, additional hydrating ingredients such as hydrochloric acid, or that are described as specially formulated for dry skin.

Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream| £45

The Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream is a cult classic. It has a lightweight yet rich texture that makes my skin feel bouncy and hydrated. I find it quickly absorbs into my skin and doesn’t leave any residue. I do wish this was in a bottle with a pump instead of in a tub, but that’s my only gripe. The ultra facial cream is gentle on my skin and keeps it protected and hydrated. Bringing my dry skin back to life. I have tired an awful lot of moisturisers but I find as time goes on, my dry skin overall is improved when I use this. Every morning it feels less dry and flaky to begin with and it’s the lasting effects that really set this moisturiser out from the crowd.

Step 6 Sunscreen

Last but not least is sunscreen. I have had some allergic reactions to sunscreen in the past so I’m always quite cautious with the products I use. Sensitive sunscreens tend to use physical blocks as opposed to chemical absorbers. So I do tend to lean towards physical blocks as my skin doesn’t react negatively. In winter I can be a bit lazy with sunscreen but since we are in the middle of summer, I wouldn’t be without it. Picking the right sunscreen can be tricky as there is a lot of different options out there. Most sunscreens protect from UVA and UVB rays which is important from full rounded protection.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Fluid SPF 50+ | £16.50

The La Roche-Posay Anthelios is a sunscreen I have purchased a few years in a row. It reasonably priced and really does the job, offering amazing full spectrum protection (UVB and UVA). The ultra thin liquid sinks straight into the skin and doesn’t leave it feeling greasy. It doesn’t disrupt my makeup, by causing my foundation to break down and slip off the way other sunscreens can. La Roche-Posay is a fantastic brand from those with sensitive skin, although this particular product is targeted towards normal/combo skin, I still find it to be gentle. I do get small breakouts from time to time when using this product but that’s something I have noticed with sunscreen in general and although frustrating I would rather my skin is protected from the sun.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed reading about my skincare routine. I have a lot of trusted and holy grail products that have really transformed my skin over the years and given my so much confidence. Its really important to find a routine that is manageable and effective and I find this works so well for me.

What products do you use in the morning?

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