My morning skincare used to be: splash water on face, hope for the best.
Then I learned morning skincare is actually different from night skincare.
Like the goals are different. Night is about repair. Morning is about protection and preparation.
So I started actually doing a morning routine and my skin looked better.
But I wasted money on products that don’t matter for mornings.
Then I figured out what actually matters in an AM routine.
And simplified it significantly.
Now my morning routine is like 3 minutes and my skin is good.
AM skincare routine: cleanser, vitamin C (optional), moisturizer, sunscreen. That’s it. Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Everything else is optional. AM routine is about protecting skin, not treating it.
PM routine is about repair and treatment. You use actives (retinol, acids, serums) because your skin repairs at night. Your skin is ready for powerful ingredients.
AM routine is about protection and preparation. You’re preparing your skin for the day (sun exposure, makeup, environment). You want protection not treatment.
Using heavy treatment serums in the AM is wasteful because you’re just covering them up with sunscreen.
Save treatments for night.
Use AM routine for light protection.
Step 1: Cleanser (1 minute)
Wash face to remove overnight oils and buildup.
Use gentle cleanser (not something harsh).
Lukewarm water. Pat dry.
Brands: CeraVe, Cetaphil, La Roche Posay (€10-20).
Step 1: Cleanser (1 minute)
Wash face to remove overnight oils and buildup.
Use gentle cleanser (not something harsh).
Lukewarm water. Pat dry.
Brands: CeraVe, Cetaphil, La Roche Posay (€10-20).
Step 3: Moisturizer (1 minute)
Keep skin hydrated and healthy.
Apply while skin is slightly damp.
Same moisturizer as night is fine.
Brands: CeraVe, Cetaphil, First Aid Beauty (€12-40).
Step 4: Sunscreen (1 minute)
NON-NEGOTIABLE. Protect from sun damage.
SPF 30 minimum. Reapply if outside for hours.
This is the most important step.
Brands: CeraVe, La Roche Posay, EltaMD (€15-40).
Total time: 3-5 minutes. Simple.
Glossier is a brand that made skincare simple and pretty.
Their AM routine is basically: cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen.
Very minimal. Very accessible.
Prices are mid-range (€30-50 per product).
Quality is decent but not exceptional.
The thing about Glossier is they make skincare feel approachable and fun.
[AFFILIATE LINK] – Glossier morning skincare products
The downside: you’re paying for the aesthetic and brand more than exceptional skincare.
But for someone just starting AM routines, Glossier makes it simple and pretty.
Not a bad entry point if you like the brand.
The Ordinary makes it ridiculously cheap and simple.
AM routine: cleanser (€10), vitamin C (€8), moisturizer (€5), sunscreen (€10).
Total: €33 for a complete routine.
Quality: genuinely good ingredients.
The downside: basic packaging, no fun aesthetic.
But if you just want skincare that works without caring about the vibe, The Ordinary is unbeatable.
Using retinol in AM:
Retinol works at night. In the AM it’s wasted and makes skin sensitive to sun.
Skipping sunscreen:
This is the biggest mistake. Sunscreen is the most important step.
Using too many serums:
One serum (vitamin C) is fine. More than that is overkill and clogs skin.
Not letting products dry:
Let vitamin C dry before moisturizer. Otherwise they layer weirdly.
Using heavy creams:
Heavy creams make skin feel thick under makeup. Use lighter moisturizer in AM.
Complicated routines:
AM should be quick. 3-5 minutes max. If it takes longer you’re doing too much.
Some people add a primer after sunscreen.
Primers fill pores and make makeup smoother.
Optional but can help if you’re wearing makeup.
Brands: Tatcha, Maybelline, Smashbox (€25-60).
But not necessary if you have good sunscreen.
Oily skin:
Dry skin:
Combination skin:
Sensitive skin:
Not exactly but lighter. AM focuses on protection. PM focuses on treatment.
No it’s optional. But it’s antioxidant so it protects skin. Nice to have but not required.
Not strong actives like retinol. Mild things like vitamin C or niacinamide okay. But save heavy actives for night.
3-5 minutes max. If longer you’re doing too much.
You can but sunscreen is non-negotiable. At minimum: cleanser, sunscreen.
Morning:
Total: 3-4 minutes including waiting time.
Cost: €50 for all products.
Results: skin looks good, protected, ready for the day.
AM routines should be simple.
Cleanser. Optional vitamin C. Moisturizer. Sunscreen.
That’s all you need.
Don’t overcomplicate morning routine.
Save complex routines for night.
AM is about quick protection and preparation.
What’s your AM skincare routine? Do you keep it simple? Tell me in the comments!