My Step-by-Step Face Washing Routine
Hi beauties! Some of you might remember, this blog originally started as a beauty blog. And from time to time, I like to toss it back to the OG message. Today’s post is all about cleaning your face and my nighttime skincare routine. I know it sounds basic, but I’ve realized after several conversations with friends that we all wash our faces differently. As always, do what works for you, but if you’re looking for some direction, I’ll share my routine with you. I’ll follow this with my nighttime skincare routine. Let’s start with washing your face:
Night time:
The biggest mistake some women make when it comes to washing their face at night is they either JUST remove their makeup, but don’t wash their face or they JUST wash their face with a full face of makeup still on. Here’s how I wash my face:
Step 1: Remove makeup. You need to get the makeup off, so the face wash can actually penetrate your skin. I use cotton round pads with either Micellar Water or Coconut Oil. Take off everything - mascara, eye makeup and all face makeup. It takes me 3 pads to get all of my makeup off.
Step 2: Now wash your face. I use a wash cloth because those commercials with girls splashing water all over their face just confuse me and the few times I’ve tried it I have water dripping down my arms and all over my sink. I’m not picky about my face wash. I’ve tried the oil face washes and they don't really do it for me. I like my skin to feel squeaky clean. My go-to has always been Neutrogena pink grapefruit.
Step 3: Products. My nighttime routine varies, but in general I start with a toner to clear out the last of the dirt and any remaining face wash. I also use those rounds for the toner. Neutrogena’s toner is great. I really don’t think you need to waste money on expensive face wash and toner. Keep it simple. After that, you’ll want to layer your products. Night time is a great time to douse your skin in moisture so it can absorb all night long. I go to bed looking like I just dipped my face in a tub of oil. Ahem, you’re welcome future husband.
So after you’ve toned, now let’s have some fun. When it comes to layering products you want to start with the most potent (which can often be the most liquid). So that’s going to be your oils and serums. I often use a face oil and also a serum. I like things that are super moisturizing and correcting for night time. Here’s a picture of my products. I don’t think you need to use these in particular. I change up my products constantly because it’s so fun to try new ones, but I do like this formula:
1) Remove makeup
2) Wash
3) Tone (this pic also includes another toner I use a like a lot by Atoi)
4) Correcting Serum like SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic (it’s an investment but it works and lasts a long time)
5) Face Oil (you might not like oils, but I love them and they don’t make me break out) or another moisturizing serum like this collagen serum
6) Night cream. This one by Elemis is really nice
7) Eye cream. Always eye cream. Tip: when you’re traveling and need to save space, you can double up on night cream below your eyes as a quick swap for eye cream
Oh, and if you really want to rock this routine, you need to shave your face. Just do it. Trust me.
My current nighttime routine includes these products. I change them up often, so choose ones that you love.
If you do this, then in the morning you should wake up glowing and fabulous. My morning routine:
1) Warm water rinse - I don’t wash my face but I do rinse it with warm water to get the leftover product off
2) Makeup remover: I inevitably wake up with some mascara under my eyes even thought I removed it the night before. One quick sweep with a cotton round under each eye with my Micellar Water or Coconut Oil and that’s gone.
3) Products: for daytime, I use a serum, day cream and eye cream. Sometimes I also do a face oil for day, but be careful that can make it hard for your makeup to stay on. We’ll do a more detailed post on that later.
I hope you found a few useful products or tips here! In future posts I’ll talk more about my daytime routine and I’ll do a step-by-step of my home facial routine.
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