Essential Ways To Get a Bright, Dewy Complexion Through Skin Care Routines

Many beauty products and ingredients help remedy adult acne, pigmentation or lackluster skin. Finding the proper steps can feel daunting in a sea of videos and articles that try to tackle the best skin care routine. 

As our skin ages, it loses elasticity, firmness and hydration and reveals signs of sun damage. Before we try to make sense of all the different skin care ingredients, let’s delve into how and why our skin ages. 

Intrinsic aging affects the skin naturally over time. Extrinsic aging occurs due to environmental factors, and the most significant cause is ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

UV exposure causes 80% of premature aging. Everyone ages, and all skin types have the potential to look healthy at any age. Our goal is to try to minimize the effects of premature aging.

Healthy-looking skin starts with a good skin care routine. We’ve gathered some insider tips on the best morning and evening routines. 

First, here are some essential things to do for a youthful glow:

• Stay hydrated.
• Reduce alcohol intake.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Eat your greens.
• Reduce sun exposure.

Your morning routine should be relatively straightforward. Most people have a small window of time to get ready. We recommend a three-step process for cleansing, hydrating and protecting your skin for the day. While we sleep, our skin rejuvenates, so a nighttime skin care routine is essential—it will support the recovery process. Your evening routine involves a five-step beauty process. 

Morning Routine

Cleanser 

Always start with a cleanser that works for your skin type. We recommend a hydrating cleanser for combination skin, like Origins Checks and Balances. This creamy cleanser will leave your face feeling clean and hydrated. Use a cleanser packed with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) for lackluster skin tone. AHAs will help brighten your skin by exfoliating the skin’s surface and softening the appearance of fine lines.

Moisturizer

Next, apply a moisturizer to your face and neck. Look for moisturizers with hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is an essential molecule for retaining water. Youthful skin has high amounts of HA. As we age, the amount of HA decreases. Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost is a skin-hydrating gel that contains HA. 

Sun Protector Factor (SPF)

Never skip applying SPF to your face, neck and chest, even on gray, cloudy days when a burst of sunshine seems to elude us. If you’re spending all day outside on hot, sunny days, opt to reapply for optimal protection every 30 to 60 minutes. Always choose a higher number of SPF, like SPF 30 or 50. We can sometimes inadvertently rub the sunscreen off with our hands during application. A higher number will compensate for any SPF we rub off. 

Evening Routine (and Five Ways To Brighten Your Skin)

Cleanser With Glycolic Acid

Use a gentle cleanser with glycolic acid to remove makeup and dirt accumulated from the day. Glycolic acid is one of the alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that acts as an exfoliator. AHAs help other products absorb into the skin and help even the skin tone. Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser is gentle on the skin and contains glycolic acid, as the name suggests. 

Evening Exfoliating Face Masks (Once a Week)

Over exfoliating can have harmful effects on the skin. Exfoliating once per week is essential for smoothing out the skin and removing dead skin cells. Avoid abrasive exfoliators if you have sensitive skin. 

​​Clay Masks

If you’re prone to acne, opt to include a clay mask in this step. As clay masks dry, they extract impurities and help minimize and remove oil and acne. Sephora stocks a clay mask called Youth to the People’s Superclay Purify + Clear Power Mask, which also happens to be cruelty-free and vegan. 

Serum or Moisturizer With Hyaluronic Acid

When moisturizing your face, use a separate gentler cream around the eyes. The skin around the eyes is thinner, and AHAs products can be harsh. Use a moisturizer with HA to hydrate the skin. 

Finish With an Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Aging Night Cream

The term “anti-aging” will not stop the intrinsic aging process, so it is a misleading promise. Products labeled anti-aging that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients and peptides will minimize and help smooth the appearance of wrinkles. Retinols and ceramides have anti-inflammatory properties. Kheils has a three-in-one product containing retinol, peptide and ceramides to save time.  

Check out the Evergreen Beauty College Blog for more beauty tips from our professionals.