A morning skincare routine is the foundation for your skin’s day, preparing it to respond to the daily environmental stressors ahead. Think: UV rays, pollution, and temperature changes. The right formulations can also support your skin barrier, prep your skin for makeup, and promote hydration throughout the day. 

Clearly, a thoughtful morning routine is key for healthy-looking skin. But knowing which products to choose—and which order to apply them in—can feel overwhelming. 

Our scientists recommend a simple 3-step approach to your AM regimen, using hydrating, supportive, and targeted treatments tailored to your skin’s needs. Follow this guide to get started.

While your nighttime skincare routine focuses on renewal and repair, your morning routine aims to protect and support. Our 3-step approach of Prep, Treat, and Seal, makes it easy to build an effective morning regimen that does just that.

Sleep is like self-care for your skin. It gives it time to repair damage and generate new skin cells. This natural process, plus other external factors like room temperature, can cause dead skin cells and sebum to accumulate overnight.

The Prep stage of your morning skincare routine gently cleanses away this excess sebum and any dead skin buildup. It leaves a fresh base for the day and can help your skin absorb the benefits of treatments and moisturizers more effectively.

• Cleanse with Squalane: Our Squalane Cleanser is a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser containing plant-derived squalane, a moisturizing agent that mimics the skin’s natural oils.This cleanser dissolves makeup and removes impurities without stripping the skin. It leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated.
• Gentle Cleansing: Glycolipid Cream Cleanser is a cream-based cleanser that effectively cleanses while supporting the skin barrier. Formulated using plant-derived glycolipids, it removes makeup while respecting the skin's natural pH.

The Treat stage zeros in on your specific skin concerns. Through targeted formulations like eye serums, face serums, and oils, you can tailor this stage to what your skin needs most—from extra hydration to smoothing fine lines.

Suggested Morning Treatments for Common Skin Concerns.

• For Hydration: Our reformulated Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) serum delivers instant plumping hydration for softer, smoother, and healthier-looking skin. Containing 5 types of hyaluronic acid, pro-vitamin B5, and ceramides, this serum visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
• For Antioxidant Support: Defense against environmental aggressors. Our Pycnogenol 5% serum provides powerful protection. It helps brighten the skin and combat the visible effects of environmental stressors, including wrinkles and dullness.
• For Acne-Prone Skin: Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution is a soothing water-based formulation that combines aloe vera with N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) to target the look of post-acne marks while visibly soothing the skin. This serum also targets the look of uneven skin tone, helps to reduce the appearance of pores, and strengthens the skin barrier.

The Seal stage is where we lock in the benefits of the Prep and Treat steps. To do this, we recommend a nourishing moisturizer that supports the skin barrier and maintains hydration for the full day.

Highly Recommended Moisturizers For Your AM Routine.

• Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA: A lightweight yet nourishing moisturizer that supports your skin barrier.Formulated with ingredients that naturally occur in the skin—amino acids, fatty acids, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, phospholipids, and urea—this cream hydrates the skin without leaving a greasy residue.
• Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan: A lightweight gel moisturizer that combines natural moisturizing factors with beta-glucan for all-day hydration. Lightweight and easily layerable, this formulation moisturizes the skin without feeling greasy, making it ideal for oily and combination skin.

Our Prep, Treat, and Seal approach guides the order of your morning skincare routine but lets you customize each step based on your needs. Although your morning and nighttime routines may vary, most of our formulations are designed for twice-daily use to achieve optimal results. 

Here’s how to get the most out of a personalized morning skincare routine:

• Target Your Skin’s Daytime Needs: Choose formulations that address the specific concerns that your skin faces throughout the day. Use our Regimen Builder for tailored recommendations and guidance.
• Give Your Skin Time to Absorb Each Product: Allow a few moments between each step to let products fully absorb. This helps avoid pilling and ensures each formulation can deliver maximum benefits
• Use Antioxidants for Daily Protection: Mornings are a great time to incorporate antioxidant ingredients like pycnogenol or resveratrol which help support your skin against the visible impact of environmental stressors.

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