By: Shilpa Bhim

Ok Zovers, let’s be real. We all know that having a solid skincare routine is the foundation of good skin.

But just how solid is your skincare routine?? Washing your face, applying some serum, slapping on some moisturiser and using your facial roller or gua sha tool are a good start. 

However, a proper skincare routine requires a few more steps than that. Plus there are different steps depending on if it’s morning or night.

It may sound complicated, but fortunately for you we’ve broken down the basics of your daily skincare routine. Keep reading your way to happy, healthy and glowy skin!

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF APPLYING SKINCARE

Before we get in to your morning and night time skin care steps, there’s a couple of basic rules you need to know. These apply no matter what time of day you’re taking care of your skin:

Always Layer Your Products From Thinnest Consistency To Thickest

You generally want to start off with the products containing ingredients that are most critical for penetrating the skin (like antioxidants in serums). These products tend to be ‘thinner’. Then you lock your thin products in with a moisturiser which is a ‘thicker’ product. Moisturisers contain ingredients like emollients and humectants, which are meant to sit on top of your skin to help keep it moist and soft.

Always Work Products Into Your Skin In An Upwards And Outwards Motion

Similar to the way you use your facial roller, using an upwards and outwards motion when applying products helps with lifting and firming the skin. 

YOUR MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE

Now that we’ve got the basics sorted, it’s time to get into your actual routine! Your morning skincare routine is all about protection and prevention from sun and pollution damage to your skin.

Step 1 - Cleanse

Splash some lukewarm water on your face before applying a gentle cleanser to help start your day fresh and clean.

Step 2 - Tone

Contrary to the belief that toners harsh and irritate the skin, toners play an important role in keeping your skin happy and clean. It basically fits as the in-between skincare step, post-cleansing and pre-serum or moisturiser. 

"Historically toners were used as a way to balance the pH of the skin after using an alkaline soap product for cleansing," says Rebecca Kazin MD, a dermatologist in Washington, DC.

Most cleansers are now more pH balanced and gentle, and therefore toners have evolved into a skincare category on its own. They usually contain ingredients that replenish and restore nutrients to your skin. Toners can also help with getting rid of dry patches or redness. 

Step 3 - Apply a Serum

Serums are usually concentrated formulas to target specific skin issues. They often contain a range of key antioxidant ingredients like Vitamins A, C or E that help keep your skin protected from external factors. 

So, you really want to let your serum soak into the skin! 

Step 4 - Use Your Facial Roller 

What better way to start your day than with a little massage using your Zove Beauty facial roller?! This will help with de-puffing your face.

The best part? Using your facial roller in this part of your skincare routine will really help push your serum into your skin - winning!

Step 5 - Pat On Some Eye Cream

The skin around your eye is super thin so proceed carefully!

Patting eye cream into your eye area avoids you tugging and pulling at your skin. As for the eye cream itself, this gives your eye area a whole bunch of necessary moisture and hydration. Keeping your skin in this area feeling and looking plump and happy.

Step 6 - Apply A Moisturiser, then SPF

Lock in all that skincare goodness, while keeping your skin protected! 

Moisturisers help stop your skin from drying out, keeping it smooth and hydrated (even if you have oily skin!) Moisturisers work best when applied while your skin is slightly damp to seal in the moisture. 

As for that SPF, the sun’s UV rays can damage your skin whether it’s sunny, cloudy or raining. So daily SPF is a must!

Apply your moisturiser first, then apply SPF over the top to keep your skin protected from the sun.

Now, you and your skin are prepped to face the day!

YOUR NIGHT TIME SKINCARE ROUTINE

Night time skincare is all about treatment, restoration and repair. After a long day, your skin deserves it! 

We would recommend starting your night time skincare routine around 20 minutes before bed, to allow time for your products to soak in.

Step 1 - Double Cleanse

Double cleansing is the process of using an oil-based cleanser, followed by a water-based cleanser to effectively remove makeup, dirt and pollution from your face.

How does it work? You start off with the oil-based cleanser to break down grime. Even if you don’t wear makeup, an oil cleanser is far more effective at breaking down dirt and pollution that accumulates on your skin throughout the day.

The water-based cleanser then assists with washing the makeup and dirt away. 

No matter how long or busy your day has been, never go to bed with makeup (or dirt and pollution) on your face! These things can clog up your pores, leading to breakouts and other adverse effects on your skin.

Step 2 - Go All In With Your Toners and Boosters

Apply your toner as you would in the morning. Night time is also the best time to apply any boosters to your skin. Think things like skin essences and face mists. These products really help to pump extra hydration into your skin.

Step 3 - Apply Any Treatment Serums

Remember, your night time skincare routine is all about treatment, restoration and repair.

Depending on your skin’s needs, your treatment serum could be medically prescribed (e.g. for rosacea or acne), or could be bought over the counter and contain ingredients like peptides and retinol to assist with keeping that skin youthful & plump! 

Our personal favourite? Serums containing Vitamin A (Retinol), Vitamin B₃ (Niacinamide), Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) or Hyaluronic Acid! 

Step 4 - Apply A Hydrating Face Oil

Your skin needs an extra surge of hydration to help repair itself overnight. Facial oils play a big role here!

Even if your skin is on the oily or combination side, you can still use facial oils. However, opt for a non-comedogenic oil like jojoba, which won’t fuel breakouts.

For normal skin types, rosehip oil is always a winner. If you’re a bit on the dry side, your skin will soak up argan and grapeseed oils.

Step 5 - Pat On Eye Cream And Put On Some Moisturiser

Gotta keep that eye area hydrated!

As for moisturiser, you night time moisturiser should be a bit thicker than what you use in the morning. This helps to keep all your products sealed in and absorb into the skin over the course of a few hours.

Step 6 - Sit Back, Relax And Use Your Facial Roller Or Gua Sha Tool

As a final step, treat yourself to a little facial massage using your facial roller or gua sha.

Both products will help your skin to absorb the products you’ve applied, with the gua sha helping to release any facial tension.

ADDITIONAL STEPS TO FOLLOW A FEW TIMES A WEEK

There is such thing as too much of a good thing - particularly when it comes to exfoliating. 

Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells from your face, keeping it fresh and healthy. But over exfoliation can damage your skin. Whether you opt for a scrub or a chemical exfoliant, stick to using these only two to three times a week.

As for face masks, as relaxing as they are, overuse of certain types of masks (e.g. clay masks) can dry your skin out. In saying that however, most hydrating masks are fine to use multiple days a week. Be sure to always check directions of use to avoid drying your skin out! 

Will you be sticking to our suggested skincare routine? Share your thoughts with us via the little icon on your right, via Instagram or email us!