Cleansing is the foundation of any routine because it helps maintain clear, radiant skin. Cleansing works by deep cleaning, getting rid of dirt, bacteria, sweat, and any other impurities that can cause breakouts and clogged pores. By cleansing often, you also allow your skin to easily absorb the rest of the products in your routine. So, next time you think of skipping this step remember this one is essential.

When it comes to choosing a cleanser, it's all about personal preference and what works for your skin type. For example, there are a variety of different cleansers including gel, foaming, oil, and even milk/cream-based ones. Gel cleansers are known to work especially well for oilier skin types while milk/cream cleansers are great for drier ones. We recommend exploring what’s out there and finding what doesn’t strip or irritate your skin. After cleansing, your skin should be clean but never stripped! Learn more about cleansers here.

Toners and essences can be confusing for many. Don’t worry! We’re going to break it down. Toners are known for their ability to hydrate and balance your skin’s pH that gets disturbed after cleansing. They also help regulate overactive oil production and clarify your skin. Essences, on the other hand, are much like serums in the sense that they infuse the skin with high concentrations of active ingredients while boosting the absorption of the rest of your routine.

This step is a must to help build that first layer of lightweight hydration. But, we recommend cutting down your routine time by finding hybrid multi-tasking products much like our very own Bitter Green Essence Toner that provide the balancing of a toner and the powerful blend of an essence all-in-one. When it comes to building your routine, it’s not about how many products you have but rather how they’re working together to improve your skin.

Treatment steps usually consist of serums. Serums are skincare products that are packed with high trace amounts of active ingredients. This can include collagen peptides, retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, or ceramides but the combinations are endless. The rest of your routine is built around the concept of hydrating and fortifying your skin but this step is about targeting your skincare concerns. Dark Spots? Acne? Fine Lines? Serums are going to be your go-to step to target and minimize them.

Much like cleansing, moisturizing is a MUST. This step traps all of that hydration you’ve built into your routine while softening and smoothing your skin. It also helps to further protect it from environmental stressors. This can include UV exposure, pollution, and weather changes. This is another step you don’t want to miss. Yes, even if you have oily skin!

There are a variety of different moisturizers out there. You just need to find the right one! These differences are mostly built around the concept of texture. There are thicker, richer creams made for drier, more mature skin types while lightweight, airy gels are an oily girl’s best friend. Mix and match until you find the perfect one.

SPF all day, every day. No excuses! Your routine means nothing if you don’t protect your skin from harsh, damaging UV rays. When looking for the perfect sunscreen, texture plays another instrumental role. If you don’t enjoy applying it, you’re not going to continue to use it. So whether it’s a chemical or physical sunscreen — just focus on what you enjoy applying and stick with it. Remember, UV rays are always out whether it’s rainy, cloudy days, or the dead of winter so it’s important to make this a consistent part of your routine.