Good evening! Tonight we're going through a 5-step evening skincare routine for the summertime 😎
As always, I'll be highlighting some of my favorite products along the way but know that you don't need to use exactly what I use. Pay more attention to the steps themselves so that you create your own evening skincare routine that's more than splashing water on your face.
Step 1: Oil Cleanse
You might be thinking, "Oil? My skin is already oily." Even if you have oily/combo skin an oil cleanse is a great first step for an evening routine for several reasons. Here are a couple. For one, in the summer we tend to apply (and reapply) sunscreen so we use an oil cleanse to break it down. Two, if you wear makeup, an oil cleanse breaks down makeup and waterproof products.
My personal favorite first step is the Then I Met You: Living Cleansing Balm ($38). I have used several oil cleansers and this balm is by far the best. I first encountered this product last summer when the TIMY collection launched and it's still my favorite. As someone who wears sunscreen and waterproof makeup this product plows through them both.
Step 2: Foam Cleanse
After you've cleared the SPF and makeup away it's time for the foam to go in to clear the dirt and sweat from your pores. Almost think of it like, step 1 clears the mask from your face and step 2 cleans what was under the mask.
I use the Acure: Resurfacing Glycolic & Unicorn Root Cleanser ($12.99). This cleanser won my heart upon receiving a sample in an allure beauty box. Already on my second tube, this product was one that took me a week to get used to. For me, when it comes to products that have "resurfacing" claims it takes about a week for all of the old nasty-ness to get out of my skin. Meaning I get a few small whiteheads that make their way out. After that "resurfacing period" it's smooth sailing. Literally, my skin feels so smooth!
Step 3: Toner
We've already talked about toning your face in a previous blog, and here it pops up in the full routine. To review, a toner helps to balance the pH of your face. It can be the last cleansing step or your first moisturizing step depending on which type of toner you use. Luckily my favorite toner does both!
The Klairs: Supple Preparation Unscented Toner ($22), can be both a cleansing toner (when used with a cotton pad) or a hydrating toner (when poured into clean hands and patted on the face).
Step 4: Oil/Serum
Before we get into step 4 know that you may not even need this step. If you have a moisturizer that serves multiple purposes for your skin, you might skip this step. For me, I like to have this step because one of the benefits of having a simple moisturizer (step 5) is that I can get very specific in step 4. If I need more of an acne treatment, it goes in here. If I want something calming, it goes here. If I were to use a cream for a specific part of the face (could be eyes, wrinkles etc.) IT GOES HERE. So let step 4 be what you need it to be for your skin.
Personally, my skin is asking for more soothing products so I've been gravitating towards the Josie Maran: Skin Dope Argan Oil + 100 mg CBD ($78). This product only has 2 ingredients, argan oil & 100mg CBD. My skin appreciates the simplicity and calming effects of this product so it's officially my summertime step 4!
Step 5: Moisturizer
Lastly, the moisturizing step. For the love of skincare, after all of that wonderful work you've done, please moisturize! In the summer, a moisturizer with a gel consistency is a great friend. That being said, if you have the a/c on full blast you might go for more of a cream. No matter the consistency make sure to lock in your skincare with a moisturizer.
I think I've mentioned this product a dozen times, but hey, let's make it a bakers dozen. The Krave Beauty: Oat So Simple Water Cream ($28) is still my favorite. It contains 10 ingredients designed to moisturize your skin. This is great for me because step 4 is my customizing moment and step 5 just let's me lock everything in without the worry of ingredients combining on my skin in a way that could irritate it.
Aaaaaaand we're done! Trust me, this routine is so much faster done than read 😅
If you're planning your own 5 step routine, what products would you use? Comment them below 💜