Like everyone else in the world currently, we all have been wearing face masks for the majority of our days (and not the kind you can buy at Sephora!). If you’re anything like me, you know the effect that this can have on your skin. It can be brutal, potentially leading to dryness, texture, clogged pores, and worst of all… maskne! Especially now, it is important to have a good skincare routine, both morning and night, to help combat some of the side effects from wearing these masks.

First off, if you’re a daily makeup wearer, start with double cleansing. This involves using a micellar water or cleansing oil to remove your makeup, and then following with a normal facial cleanser. This method is a foolproof way to ensure that all of the makeup and dirt in your pores have been properly cleansed away. It also is a much less abrasive way to remove your makeup compared to using makeup wipes. If you’re feeling like your skin could use a bit of exfoliation, I recommend using a chemical exfoliant rather than a physical exfoliant. A chemical exfoliant, such as the Ordinary’s 10% Lactic Acid formulation, is much gentler compared to physically rubbing small particles around, potentially creating small tears in your skin. Be careful about over-exfoliation though, which can cause more redness, dryness, irritation, and even more acne! Remember that salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, AHAs/BHAs, retinoids/retinols, and vitamin C, are all exfoliants, in addition to many others! Always check the ingredients in your skincare!

Then, following with a toner can help hydrate the skin or keep the oil at bay, depending on your skin type and skin concerns. I have been using Farmacy’s Deep Sweep Toner, which keeps my pores clean while simultaneously soothing and nourishing my skin. After that, I like to use a nice, hydrating serum. I have been using an AHA serum (Farmacy’s Honeymoon Glow) at night and then a lighter, hydrating one (Bare Minerals’ Skinlongevity) during the day. After cleansing the skin, it is essential to moisturize! I apply a lighter face cream in the morning, such as Tatcha’s Water Cream, and a thicker one at night, such as the It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream. If you are doing your morning skincare routine, don’t forget your sunscreen after moisturizing! Even if it’s cold and cloudy outside, sun damage is not seasonal! Using an SPF protects your skin from UV rays from the sun. Even if you don’t think you need it that day, trust me, you do! UV rays can still come in through windows and damage your skin while being indoors.

After sunscreen, I like to finish off with a highly moisturizing eye cream, such as the Silk Peony by Tatcha, which allows me to feel awake even if I barely am! As a disclaimer, I am not a professional by any means, but this is just the routine that I try to follow on a daily basis. As an overworked college student, it has personally resulted in my skin being able to get through the pandemic, which is definitely a possibility for everyone! Take everything with a grain of salt, but I highly recommend at least having a good cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF for the morning! Keep those heads up and those faces moisturized!