If you have acne, then establishing a good skincare routine is a must. Multiple factors come together to cause acne, so different products are needed to address these various factors. With so many products out there though, how do you even know where to start when developing a skincare routine?! Read on to learn the basics for a morning and evening clear skin routine.

Build your routine

1. A cleanser 

No matter what skin type you have, cleansing your face in the morning and before you go to bed is a must. For those with sensitive skin or active breakouts, look for a gentle cleanser at a lower pH that will keep the skin hydrated. Harsh cleansers can irritate the skin and increase redness and breakouts.

2. A toner or Acne treatment

After cleansing your skin, the next step is to apply a toner or acne treatment. Toners are liquid formulas that quickly absorb into the skin and remove any excess dirt or oil left behind from the cleanser. If your primary concern is dull skin or an uneven complexion, then look for a toner with an AHA like glycolic acid or lactic acid. If you are currently experiencing breakouts or have acne-prone skin, then look for toners or acne treatments that contain a BHA like salicylic acid, which can penetrate deep into pores. Toners work best if used both morning and night.

3. A moisturizer

Using a moisturizer day and night is crucial for the health of your skin! Moisturizers soothe skin, lock in moisture, and protect against transepidermal water loss (TEWL). If you have acne-prone skin, choose a light, non-comedogenic, oil-free formula to use during the day. If you have oily skin, moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid will add hydration without excess shine. In the evening, look for a slightly thicker, more hydrating formula to give your skin a boost of hydration while you sleep. Check out our past blog on finding a moisturizer that's right for you. 

4. Face oil 

The words “face oil” might sound daunting if you have acne or acne-prone skin, but these oils can be beneficial for all types of skin! Certain oils like rosehip and jojoba oil are even thought to decrease skin oiliness and calm the skin. Oils should be applied after your moisturizer since they are occlusive agents. Occlusive agents are hard to penetrate, which makes them wonderful for locking in moisture, but not great to apply as your first layer of product. Apply morning and night for best results.

5. An SPF

If there’s one product we really love for skin, it’s an SPF! Since the odds of seeing the sun at night are minimal, only incorporate sunscreen into your morning skincare routine. Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 thoroughly to your face and neck. Sunscreen will not only protect against skin cancer, but it will also protect against hyperpigmentation and dark spots from acne scars. Since sunscreen is a barrier for your skin, always apply it as the last step of your skincare routine. If you're overwhelmed by all the SPF choices out there, check out our blog post on finding the perfect SPF.