Easy Two-Step Morning Skin Care Routine Using Black-Owned Brands
My name is Marissa, and I’m a skin care addict. The first step is admitting it.
One of my goals of 2021 is to simplify my skin care routine. While having tons of products and an extensive skin care routine isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it honestly isn’t needed. Serums, treatments, eye creams, etc. can greatly benefit your skin, but they aren’t necessities. I am 100% guilty of getting caught up with new product launches and feeling like I need to try everything. More often than not, my skin freaks out from me using to many products, and I have to revert back to a simplified routine. Now, I love to pamper myself, so I’m going to continue trying new products from time to time, and will have at-home facial days, but I at-least would like to try reducing the amount of products I use on my face regularly in the morning.
Benefits to simplifying your skin care routine
Less likely to breakout due to clogged pores from using too many products or products that may not work for your skin
Less likely to damage your skin barrier from layering too many actives/over-exfoliating
Less costly
More time back in your day
Great for traveling as it reduces the number of products you need to pack
Now that you’ve learned about the benefits of simplifying your skin care routine, let’s get into the actual routine!
Step 1: Cleanse Skin With Gentle Cleanser Containing Active Ingredients
The first step in this two-step skin care routine is to cleanse your skin. The best way to avoid having to use toners and additional serums after cleansing, is to use a gentle cleanser with actives. Having actives in your cleanser will create a more effective simplified routine as it will cleanse your skin, but also target skin care concerns such as acne, wrinkles, dry patches, dark spots, etc. at the same time.
Cleansers with AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) such as Glycolic Acid and Citric Acid are great for gentle exfoliation, which helps unclog pores, reduce acne, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brighten skin, and improve texture.
The reason a gentle exfoliating cleanser is safe to use everyday is because unlike toners, serums, treatments, or masks that may contain these ingredients, a cleanser is not soaking into your skin; you’re going to wash off it off.
Recommended Cleansers for Two-Step Routine
Step 2: Moisturize Skin with a Moisturizer that Contains SPF
The last two things your skin needs in the morning are moisture and SPF. Yes, you need to wear sunscreen even if you have a darker complexion, and yes, you need to wear sunscreen even if you’re not going outside. The only time you don’t need to wear sunscreen is if you spend your days in a dark room with no windows, which I’m hoping you do not. Luckily, you can actually find a moisturizer that contains SPF so you don’t have to split this into two different steps.
You want to make sure you’re reaching for a sheer SPF 30+ moisturizer that doesn’t leave a white cast so you’re not looking ashy out here in these streets. You also want to ensure that your morning moisturizer contains ingredients such a hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin c, and/or other nourishing oils that will ensure that your skin is moisturized and looks radiant.
Recommended Moisturizers with SPF for Two-Step Routine
