Having a good skincare routine is a key part of having healthy, glowing skin. Of course, eating the right foods and staying hydrated is the first step.
If you’ve never had a skincare routine before, it can be a little intimidating when you are starting out. There’s many skincare products out there, and you may not know what they do and if you need to use them or not.
I’ve put together this guide to show you the steps for an effective skincare routine, plus some product recommendations. Your skincare routine should follow the order shown here.
Step 1: Cleanser
The first step to an effective skincare routine is a cleanser. Before applying products, you’ll want to be sure to start with clean skin. Starting with a good cleanser removes any dirt, oil, and makeup that is on your skin. You may choose to use a different cleanser in the morning and at night.
My favorite cleansers:
Beautycounter Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser (great for acne-prone skin)
Beautycounter Charcoal Cleansing Bar (great for acne-prone skin)
100% Pure Tea Tree & Willow Acne Clear Cleanser (great for acne-prone skin)
Beautycounter Pure Calm Cleansing Milk (great for dry skin)
100% Pure Coconut Oil Moisturize Cleansing Milk (great for dry skin)
Beautycounter Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil (great for anti-aging)
100% Pure Fermented Rice Water Cleanser (great for combination skin)
Step 2: Toner
The next step in your skincare routine should ALWAYS be toner. Toner preps the skin for the products you are about to use and rebalances your skin’s pH. Do not skip this step! You may choose to use a different toner in the morning and at night.
My favorite toners:
Primally Pure Everything Spray (great for acne-prone skin)
Beautycounter Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence (great for anti-aging)
100% Pure Lavender Pore Refining Toner (great for anti-aging)
100% Pure Tea Tree & Willow Clarifying Astringent (great for acne-prone skin)
Beautycounter Countercontrol Instant Matte Toner (great for acne-prone skin)
Beautycounter Brightening Facial Mist (great for all skin types)
Beautycounter Plumping Facial Mist (great for dry skin & anti-aging)
100% Pure Fermented Rice Water Toner (great for combination skin)
Step 3: Serum
The next step in your skincare routine should be a serum. Serums are the products that do most of the “work” in your routine. Serums are the treatment step. Serums penetrate deep in your skin to help you achieve the results you are looking for. Be sure to let the serum soak in for a full 5 minutes before applying the rest of your products. You may want to use a different serum in the morning and at night.
My favorite serums:
Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel (great for anti-aging)
Beautycounter Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum (great for anti-aging)
100% Pure Green Tea EGCG Concentrate Serum (great for anti-aging)
100% Pure Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Potent PM Serum (great for anti-aging)
Beautycounter Countercontrol All Over Acne Treatment (great for acne-prone skin)
100% Pure Fermented Rice Water Serum (great for combination skin)
Beautycounter Countermatch Intense Moisture Serum (great for dry skin)
100% Pure Restorative Sea Culture Replenishing Serum (great for dry skin)
100% Pure Vitamin C Serum (great for all skin types)
Step 4: Eye Cream
The next step in your routine should be an eye cream. Depending on your goals, you can find an eye cream for dark circles, puffiness, dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles. Ideally, for a daytime eye cream, you’ll want to use one that contains caffeine. Caffeine wakes up the eye area and gives a more rested look. You may want to use a different eye cream in the morning and at night.
My favorite eye creams:
Beautycounter Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream (for dark circles & anti-aging)
100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream (for dark circles & puffiness)
Beautycounter Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream (for dark circles & anti-aging)
100% Pure Retinol PM Eye Cream (for anti-aging)
Beautycounter Nourishing Eye Cream (for dryness)
100% Pure Super Fruit Oil Nourishing Eye Cream (for dryness & anti-aging)
Step 5: Spot Treatment
This next step is optional, but you may want to use a spot treatment. Spot treatments are great for stubborn acne or dark spots.
My favorite spot treatments:
Beautycounter Countercontrol SOS Acne Spot Treatment (for acne)
100% Pure Dark Spot Remover (for dark spots)
Step 6: Moisturizer
The last step (unless you are also using a face oil) is moisturizer. Do not skip this step! It’s very important to keep your skin moisturized, plus the moisturizer seals in all the previous products you used and protects your skin. You’ll want to use a lighter moisturizer during the day (preferably with SPF) and a heavier one at night. If you can’t afford both, opt for a day cream, since night cream will be too heavy for daytime use.
My favorite moisturizers:
Beautycounter Countercontrol Matte Effect Gel Cream (for oily & acne-prone skin)
100% Pure Tomato Lycopene SPF 20 Moisturizer (for sun protection)
Beautycounter Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion (for dry skin)
Beautycounter Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream (for dry skin)
100% Pure Hydra Drench Cream (for dry skin)
100% Pure Restorative Sea Culture Extra Riche Creme (for dry skin)
100% Pure Green Tea EGCG Concentrate Cream (for combination skin)
Beautycounter Countertime Antioxidant Soft Cream (for anti-aging)
Beautycounter Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream (for anti-aging)
100% Pure Retinol Restorative Overnight Balm (for anti-aging)
100% Pure Retinol Restorative Neck Cream (for anti-aging)
Primally Pure Beauty Cream (for anti-aging)
Step 7: Face Oil
Face oils should be the last step in your routine. This is because a moisturizer cannot penetrate an oil to reach your skin, but an oil can penetrate through a moisturizer. Don’t be afraid of face oils, they won’t cause your skin to breakout. They provide added moisture and give your skin more of a glow. I only use face oils at night, but they can also be used as a primer under your makeup for flawless-looking skin.
My favorite face oils:
Beautycounter Brightening Facial Oil (for all skin types)
Beautycounter Plumping Facial Oil (for dry skin & anti-aging)
Beautycounter Balancing Facial Oil (for oily/combination skin)
If you need help choosing the products that would be right for your skin, I’d be happy to help! You can shoot me an email to [email protected] or fill out this skincare consultation form and I will send you personalized recommendations.
See Also:
My Current Skincare Routine
My Skincare Regimen
My Favorite Uses for Coconut Oil
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through those links, I will be compensated. Please know that I only recommend products that I personally use (or would use) and that I love. Purchases through these links helps to cover costs to keep this website running, so that I can keep delivering information to you all.
