A simple 3-step morning skincare routine

Why have a morning routine, even a short one?

Overnight, your skin keeps working: it produces sebum, loses a little water and still carries traces of your evening cream. In the morning, the aim is simple:

• get back to clean, fresh skin;
• give it the hydration it needs for the day;
• protect it from daylight and everyday aggressors (wind, cold, pollution, central heating).

A short routine you do every day is far better than a ten-step routine you give up after a week. Consistency makes all the difference.

Morning and evening, your skin's needs are not quite the same. In the evening, you remove make-up, cleanse more thoroughly and can use richer products. In the morning, you want light textures that sink in quickly and work well under make-up. That is why a morning routine can stay short.

Step 1: cleanse gently

Your morning cleanse doesn't need to be as thorough as your evening one, since there is no make-up to remove. It is mainly about removing excess sebum and what is left of your night-time skincare.

• Choose a gentle, sulphate-free cleanser that doesn't leave your skin feeling tight.
• Apply it to damp fingertips and massage your face in small circles for about thirty seconds.
• Rinse with lukewarm water: hot water dries the skin.
• Pat dry with a clean towel, without rubbing.

If your skin is very dry, a simple lukewarm rinse may be enough on some mornings. Listen to your skin.

Step 2: tone and prep your skin

This is the step many people skip, which is a shame. A toner or toning essence rebalances the skin after cleansing and gives it a first dose of hydration. It preps the skin for what comes next.

• Apply it with a cotton pad, or pour a few drops into your palms and press gently onto your face.
• Don't forget your neck.
• No need to rinse: let it sink in for a few seconds.

It is also a lovely moment of freshness in the morning, especially if your complexion looks a little tired when you wake up.

Step 3: moisturise, then protect

Last step: moisture. A light gel or cream leaves the skin soft and supple without feeling greasy, which makes it a good base for make-up.

• Take a small amount and spread it over your face and neck.
• Massage until fully absorbed, from the centre of your face outwards.
• Wait a minute before applying make-up.

In the morning, I always finish with a day cream with a sun protection factor (SPF), even in autumn and winter, even when the sky is grey. Daylight is there all year round and is one of the factors behind visible skin ageing. For a day at the beach or outdoor sport, choose a proper water-resistant sunscreen instead.

What order should you apply skincare in the morning?

The simplest rule to remember: from the lightest texture to the richest. In practice, in the morning:

1. cleanser;
2. toner or toning essence;
3. serum, if you use one;
4. moisturiser;
5. day cream with SPF, always last.

A few common mistakes to avoid:

• rubbing your skin with the towel;
• using water that is too hot;
• layering too many products, which end up pilling under make-up;
• forgetting your neck;
• changing your routine every fortnight: give your skincare time to prove itself.

My tips for making the routine stick

To make these three steps second nature, keep your products together, within easy reach, in the order you use them. Do your routine at the same moment every day, for example straight after brushing your teeth.

And remember that your skin also reflects your lifestyle: enough sleep, good hydration and a varied diet help it keep its glow. If your skin is reactive, patch test any new product on a small area, such as the inside of your elbow, before using it on your face. If you are pregnant or unsure, ask a healthcare professional for advice.

Finally, adapt your routine to the seasons. In summer, light hydration is often enough; in autumn and winter, when cold weather and central heating dry the skin, don't hesitate to apply a little more moisturiser, or to layer a serum underneath your gel. Your skin will quickly tell you what it needs: a tight feeling in the middle of the day is a good sign that it wants more hydration.

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