OFM Style: Be in the Know, Get the Glow

Heading into the first “real year” of a new decade, we must wonder, how is this new year going to treat us? Especially compared to 2020. Unlike the coming year, your skin care doesn’t have to be a mystery.

So, where can I start, you may wonder? The best and easiest option is morning routine; this is a critical time for your skin; you have just finished sleeping and are about to get going for your day, be it at home or social distancing at work. The morning pamper sets your mood for the day. The first step is making sure that you have an amazing cleanser that is going to give you that refresh.

Cleansing is always the first step of the routine, so you want to make sure it’s cleaning off all the sebum, dirt, and dead skin from the night before. Some beautiful morning cleansers to help kick start you are Murad’s Essential C cleanser, which is jam-packed with vitamin C to help reduce the look of dark spots and even skin tone. 

CeraVe Foaming facial Cleanser is great for those sensitive to fragrance and who are looking for a light exfoliant, or Fenty Skin’s Remove It All cleanser is a perfect product for something clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and all-around good for the planet with its recyclable bottle and materials. Whichever cleanser you choose to roll with, make sure it’s going to synergize with the rest of your routine for the best results.

The next few steps of the routine are the lifeblood for making your skin WERK. After cleansing, you want to tone it, and I know you may have heard toning can be left out, but I say keep it, as you can add more moisture to your skin, or it can act as a light, double-cleanse for those who are more oily and acne-prone. Add moisture with Fenty’s Fat Water Serum-toner hybrid with niacinamide to help reduce the look of pores and control oil. Or, use micellar water which can gently double cleanse the skin while adding moisture without irritation. Setting the tone is great, but the secret is in the serum.

Serums can be a scary part of the routine, as they can be confusing and overwhelming, so just remember, serums are concentrated power bombs for the skin. If you’re still striking for skin brightening, then vitamin C is going to be your BFF. Or, if you want to keep your skin acne-free, use a serum with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) such as glycolic acid, which helps cell turnover and increases luminosity of the skin. 

Lactic acid also increases cell turnover and helps with collagen production in the skin; if you don’t know what collagen does, it helps keep the skin looking plump and looking young! Pro tip: when applying your serum, make sure to firmly swipe your pointer finger from the bridge of your nose to the back of your cheeks to help with lymphatic drainage and decrease puffiness in your skin. With all that, we still need to lock all that good stuff in. 

Moisturizer is going to be your final step for glowing and healthy skin. Even if your skin is oil-prone, you want to make sure you are adding moisturizer to it so your skin doesn’t overcompensate for the cleanse and produce more oil than it already does. Make sure to use something “non-comedogenic,” as it’s formulated to not clog pores. 

A great starter for anyone is Neutrogena’s Hydro boost moisturizer gel, as it’s filled with hyaluronic acid, which sounds terrifying but actually helps retain moisture in the skin and joints. For those without oil-prone skin, moisturizers with extra active ingredients can be good options, such as Algenist’s Collagen moisturizer, or even Peter Thomas Roth’s Vitamin C Moisturizer. Remember, we are locking in the final steps of our routine.

With all that, I remind you to ask three simple questions. Did I cleanse? Did I use toner/serum? And did I moisturize? A good routine is not only as good as the results. Stay dewy all, and use sunscreen.