5 Things You Should Be Doing Every Morning

Do you skip out on skincare? You’re making a big mistake if you do. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, responsible for protecting you from the lasting effects of sun exposure, air pollution, dust, dirt, and wear and tear. Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be hard--even if exfoliating, face masks, and face moisturizer doesn't quite sound like your cup of tea, adding some simple things to your morning bathroom routine can yield big benefits, without taking a lot of time or calling for you to be an expert of men's skin care products. 

Let’s look at how to get on track with your morning skincare routine. 

Keep That Skin Healthy!

First, let’s talk about a few basics about how to keep your skin healthy. 

• Treat your skin with care. Long hot showers and baths sound like a great idea and are totally worth it sometimes, but too much hot water and strong bar soaps or body washes can age your skin prematurely. 
• Skip smoking. You know it’s bad for your lungs, but it’s also bad for your skin. Smoking damages the collagen and elastin in your skin. These materials make your skin supple and elastic. When they’re damaged, you’ll be more prone to wrinkles and fine lines. 
• Avoid sun damage. Not only will too much sun add age spots and cause wrinkles, but it also has the potential to cause skin cancer. Cover up, wear a hat, and use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on the regular. 

What’s Your Skin Type?

Here are the five most common skin types.

Normal skin

Lucky you! If you have normal skin, your skin is usually oil-free but doesn’t dry out or get irritated. Blemishes and acne breakouts are unusual. Keep up a good skin routine and you’ll stay looking sharp!

Oily skin

This skin type is fertile ground for acne and greasy buildup. You’ll need to pay careful attention to your skincare to stay on top of potential problems (face wash is your friend!).

Dry skin

Your skin often feels dry or “tight.” Irritation is common, particularly after shaving (think razor burn). 

Combination skin

You’ve got multiple issues to contend with. Your forehead and nose are often oily, but the rest of your face tends to feel dry, particularly your cheeks and chin. 

Aging skin

If you’ve been neglectful in caring for your skin or have spent a lot of time in the outdoors, your skin is probably showing the effects. It’s starting to wrinkle and signs of weathering are clear. But, it’s not too late to turn things around!

Whatever your skin type, a smart skincare routine will keep your skin healthier and better-looking for years to come. 

The Key Elements of a Daily Skincare Routine

Developing a regular skincare routine is key to taking care of your skin. You should do all of the following every morning (and sometimes more often if your skin is asking for it). Once you’ve developed a good habit, you’ll start to notice that your skin might be clearer and you’ll keep that youthful look you want. 

Wash Up

Washing your face is a crucial part of your daily skincare routine, so spend some quality time each morning and evening with a quality face wash, foaming up for that nice clean! 

Daily washing can accomplish two things: in the morning, your wash clears away debris and dead skin that's built up overnight, and in the evening, a wash will clear out any potential pore-blocking oils and bacteria to let your skin breathe freely after a long day. 

Follow a smart routine when washing your face. Apply warm water on the skin to open your pores. Then use a facial cleanser that’s designed for your skin type. Ditto for the rest of your body as well. Rub your skin firmly, but you don’t need to scrub vigorously, especially on the face. When you’ve finished, rinse with cool water and pat dry with a clean soft towel. 

Scrub

You actually shouldn’t use face scrub every day, but it’s still really important to make it a regular part of your routine a couple times per week depending on your skin. A scrub, also known as an "exfoliator," removes nasty build-up and dead skin cells from your skin. While your entire body will benefit from an occasional exfoliant scrub, your face will thank you most of all. 

It’s best to use a scrub in the morning one to three times per week. If you have oily skin, shoot for two to three times, while once is plenty if your skin is normal or dry, or if you have sensitive skin. Use an exfoliant scrub in the same way you wash your face, and concentrate on problem areas where buildups often occur, like the forehead and neck.

However, keep in mind there are also gentle exfoliators out there that won’t feel like a weekly sandpaper treatment. With these much gentler options, you can feel free to scrub as often as twice a day in place of your cleanser, regardless of skin type. As with exfoliating though, still take care not to physically scrub your face too hard--nice, gentle, circular motions will do the trick!

If you shave, definitely exfoliate before shaving. The scrubbing process helps your whiskers stand up, so you’ll get an extra clean shave the days that you use it. 

Moisturize

Our daily lives and our cleaning regimens take moisture out of our skin. To keep our skin healthy we need to replenish this moisture. You may have heard the adjective “hydrating” kicked around when you’ve shopped for skincare products. It’s the same thing. 

There are plenty of benefits to moisturizing our skin. Moisturizing prevents water loss, helps reduce the appearances of aging, and keeps our skin firmer (i.e., fewer wrinkles!) When you’re shopping for a moisturizer, look for blends that are rich in natural antioxidants to help repair cell damage. A pinch of sunscreen is a great idea as well, particularly if you like to enjoy the great outdoors.

The Daily Defense Moisturizer by ASYSTEM is an excellent example, with SPF 30 to keep your protected, and plant-based extracts to hydrate and fortify skin. After a long day, you’ll also ideally have an overnight moisturizing cream as well, which typically contains rejuvenating ingredients like kiwi fruit extract, paired with repairing ingredients like Swertia Chirata Extract (SW7) in order to help improve cell turnover, making for healthier, younger-looking skin!

Fight signs of aging

There are several ways to provide your skin with the nutrients it needs to help fight the visible signs of aging. Adding these two routines to your morning routine can do a lot for your skin in this realm!

• Using sunscreen is important, particularly if you spend time outside. It’s smart to smear some on before you hit the golf course or any other outdoor activity, but by using a moisturizer with added SPF protection every morning, you’ll have a backup plan no matter what you do. Be sure that your moisturizer has an SPF rating of at least 30 to provide the protection you need. 
• Add eye cream to your morning routine. Fluid can build up overnight around your eyes and give you a puffy look and dark circles. Getting enough sleep and staying hydrated will help, but a little pick me up in the morning can have a brightening effect, keeping you looking fresh and younger. 

Consider these extras

Sometimes your skin might need a little something extra in the morning. These two treatments will benefit many. 

• If you suffer from post-shave irritation, consider adding a post-shave balm to your routine. These can calm down irritation and provide important moisturizing ingredients. Look for ingredients like menthol, tea tree oil, and aloe, and avoid the burn by skipping aftershave balms with added alcohol. 
• Do you have trouble with the occasional bout of acne? A smart washing and moisturizing routine in the morning will do a lot to clear up your skin, but if you have trouble spots, consider consulting a dermatologist to add an effective morning treatment to your routine, also. 
• If you have a beard of any length, scruff or long enough to braid, beard oil and beard conditioner are underrated players that can not only help soften facial hair, but often work to help nourish the skin hiding under the beard, too. 

Great Skin, Great Look!

Your skin care regimen doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t have to take up your whole morning either. 

Take a step forward for your skin and add these five elements to your morning routine. With a little extra time and the right ingredients, your skin will be sure to thank you!

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Sources:

https://effortlessgent.com/mens-skin-care-routine/

https://www.asystem.com/products/performance-skin-care-system

https://ashleyweston.com/mens-grooming-essentials/morning-skincare-routine-men/

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/male-skin-care-guide#product-selection

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/skin-care/art-20048237

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/skin-care/art-20048237