Getting flawless skin is not rocket science, neither is it magic. You can improve your skin’s health and radiance with a dedicated skincare routine and products that suit your skin type and concerns. However, following a skincare routine once a day is not enough! You need a dedicated morning and evening routine to ensure that your skin is cleared of all impurities and nourished twice every day. Wondering where to get started? Here is a simple AM. and PM. skincare guide, the difference between the two, and what products you need for your routine.
Skincare Routine Steps For AM And PM
Before we delve into the details of each of these routines, let’s understand what these individual regimens do for our skin. The AM routine aka the morning skincare routine focuses on protecting your skin against pollution and sun damage. You can also use this routine to prep your skin before applying your makeup. The morning skincare routine has fewer steps, as excessive products on your skin would clog your pores while you sweat throughout the day. On the other hand, the PM routine i.e. the night skincare routine helps the skin cells regenerate and heal as it contains more active ingredients and hydrating masks.
For the morning skincare routine, you need a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen. On the other hand, a good nighttime skincare routine includes a cleansing oil / micellar water, and a night cream in addition to the above-mentioned steps.
Skincare Steps For Both AM & PM
Step 1: Cleanser
Your elaborate skincare routine will be futile if your skin is not cleansed thoroughly. Bacteria and oil tend to accumulate on your skin and it's important to deep cleanse it to prevent issues like clogged pores, acne, and pigmentation. Using a mild face wash, twice a day helps clear your pores and removes any residue of pollution, dirt, grime, oil, makeup, and sweat that often gets settled on the skin’s surface. While in the morning, you can simply use a face wash, opt for the double cleansing method in your night skincare routine, especially on days when you apply makeup. If you’re using the double cleansing method, start with a gentle micellar water or cleansing balm to remove all the makeup and dirt, and then wash off any residue with a gentle cleanser. Wondering how to pick the right cleanser for your skin? Here’s quick advice - If you have dry skin, you can go for a milky or cream-based cleanser. Similarly, if you have combination or oily skin, gel or water-based cleansers could work better for you.
Pro Tip
Pay attention to the darker areas around the corners of the mouth and nose while cleansing your face to remove any accumulated dirt. Massage the face wash for 60 seconds to effectively cleanse your skin.
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Step 2: Toner
If you are privy to even the basic skincare routines, you would know that toning is a crucial part of the CTM routine and should not be skipped. Toners help remove all the remaining impurities from your skin, reduce the appearance of open pores, and balance the pH level of your skin. You can either use a cotton pad to gently apply toner on your face (do not forget the neck) or simply spritz a few drops on your skin and let it absorb naturally.
Pro Tip
When you choose a toner, check its ingredients carefully. If its smell reminds you of a nail polish remover or booze, it contains alcohol and you're better off without it. Alcohol in toners can irritate your skin and cause redness and rashness.
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Step 3: Serum
Serums are concentrated forms of antioxidants, nutrients, and hydrating agents that repair and nourish your skin. If you are looking for a daily skincare routine at home, it would be best to check with your dermatologist to know which active ingredient works best for your skin needs. Depending on the specific skin needs you want to target, you can use serums containing active ingredients like vitamin C serum, Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, retinol, salicylic acid, etc.
Pro Tip
Always do a patch test on your arm before applying serums or any other product.
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Step 4: Eye Cream
The skin under your eyes is more delicate and sensitive than the rest of the face. Thanks to frequent exposure to mobile phones, laptop screens, and environmental pollutants, the area under your eyes loses moisture, leading to dark circles and pigmentation. The eye cream relaxes and soothes your under-eye area, nourishes it, and reduces the dark circles and puffiness around it, making this one of the essential skincare steps in both your morning and night-time routine.
Pro Tip
Always use your ring finger to apply the eye cream. It has the lightest touch and does not put much pressure on your under-eye area.
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Step 5: Moisturiser
Trust us, moisturising your skin adequately can be a serious game-changer. A moisturiser keeps your skin supple, nourished, and healthy. It locks in hydration, protects the skin barrier and provides a natural glow. You can opt for a light moisturiser with SPF in the morning. For the night skincare routine steps, you can opt for creamy moisturiser sans SPF to help boost hydration overnight.
Pro Tip
If you have oily skin or are struggling with acne or blackheads, pick an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser.
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AM Specific Skincare Step
Sunscreen
You might think that what you’re following is possibly the best skincare routine, but if it does not include sunscreen then it’s just not enough. Be it summers, winters or monsoons, sunscreen is an indispensable skincare step. Sun damage can be the hardest to reverse and can cause pigmentation, dryness, and dullness. You must never skip sunscreens, (yes, not even in monsoons or during winters). Use sunscreens with SPF 30 and above to protect your skin against sun damage and a tan. And for all the men reading this right now, sunscreen is a non-negotiable step in the skincare routine for men as well.
Pro Tip
Apply sunscreen generously on your face, including your ears, lips, neck, and hands before stepping out and reapply it every 2–3 hours.
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PM Specific Skincare Step
Your skin regenerates itself and creates new skin cells when you sleep. A night cream boosts cell turnover, circulation, and hydration in your skin. It also repairs damage and nourishes your skin so that you can wake up with hydrated and plump skin in the morning. Opt for night creams containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide that suit all skin types and can boost hydration and increase elasticity in your skin while you enjoy your beauty sleep. If you have dry skin, you can also opt for a thick layer of hydrating night masks that nourish your skin from within.
Pro Tip
You should apply the night cream at least 30 minutes before going to bed to let it absorb into your skin.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to layer skincare AM and PM?
Skincare products vary in consistency and formula. Therefore, it is advised to follow the ‘thinnest to thickest’ method. Apply products like toners, serums, and eye creams that have an absorbent or watery consistency first (in that order). Once they’ve absorbed into the skin, follow it up with thicker products like moisturiser and sunscreen.
Should AM and PM skincare be different?
While the majority of skincare steps remain the same, an AM routine consists of an extra yet crucial step which is sunscreen. This is to prevent the products from oxidising and protecting the skin from harmful UV damage. Your PM skincare routine can also have an extra step which is retinol serum or cream to prevent premature ageing and repair sun damage.
Can I use vitamin C serum AM and PM?
Vitamin C is an excellent anti-oxidant that fights free radicals and repairs environmental damage to the skin. Moreover, it also boosts your sunscreen’s performance. Therefore, it’s a good idea to layer a vitamin C serum before sunscreen. However, you can even wear vitamin C at night for a healthy, restored glow.
Is it OK to use niacinamide every night?
Niacinamide is a versatile skincare active that can be found in a multitude of skincare products. From sunscreen to moisturisers, niacinamide is beneficial for regulating oil production, reducing breakouts, fading hyperpigmentation, and for a healthy glow. So, you can use this ingredient both during daytime and nighttime.
Now that you know the difference between a morning and a night skincare routine, make sure to give your skin the required TLC for an illuminating glow from within.
