Taking care of your skin requires a consistent and well-thought-out routine. Along with topically treating your skin, what you consume plays an integral role in its health and appearance. Here’s a comprehensive guide to give your skin the best care both inside and out.

Morning Skin Care Routine:

1. Wash Hands: Always start with clean hands to avoid transferring dirt and bacteria onto your face. Consider using lukewarm water to wash your face, as hot water can be drying.
2. Double Cleanse: Start with an oil-based cleanser, followed by a water-based one. This ensures all makeup, sunscreen, and impurities are thoroughly removed. However, for those with acne-prone skin, it’s crucial to make informed choices. While double cleansing can be beneficial, avoid oil-based cleansers or balms as they might clog pores. Instead, consider using gel and/or cream cleansers for both steps to prevent breakouts. After cleansing, pat your face dry with a clean towel.
3. Exfoliate: Use AHAs or BHAs 1-2 times a week, adjusting the frequency based on your skin’s response. After exfoliating, ensure you hydrate your skin properly to counteract any potential dryness or irritation.
4. Essence/Toner: Incorporate an essence or toner to prep and hydrate your skin. When applying products, move in an upward motion to fight gravity and sagging.
5. Ampoule/Serum: Address specific skin concerns with a concentrated serum.
6. Moisturizing Cream: Seal in hydration and maintain a plump complexion. Before applying sunscreen, wait a few minutes to let your moisturizer sink in.
7. Sunscreen: Essential every day, especially during winter or on cloudy days.

Evening Skin Care Routine:

1. Wash Hands: Begin with fresh hands.
2. Cleanser: Wash away the day’s grime and residue. Consider adding a double cleanse in the evening, especially if you wear makeup or sunscreen, to ensure all residue is removed. After cleansing, pat your face dry with a clean towel.
3. Toner or Essence: Choose based on your skin’s nightly needs. After cleansing, it might be beneficial to apply products from thinnest to thickest consistency.
4. Vitamin C Ampoule/Serum: A nightly boost for brighter, rejuvenated skin.
5. Retinol: Use cautiously and observe how your skin reacts. Always apply sunscreen in the morning when using retinol, as it can make the skin more sensitive to the sun. If using both Vitamin C and Retinol at night, monitor your skin for irritation. Some people’s skin can be sensitive when using both. If that’s the case, consider using Vitamin C in the morning instead (and always followed by sunscreen).
6. Moisturizer: Nourish and repair your skin while you sleep. A hydrating or barrier-repair mask once a week can be beneficial, especially if you’re using active ingredients like retinol.
7. Lip Balm: A must for soft, kissable lips.
8. Eye Cream: Optional, but great for addressing concerns around the delicate eye area.

Dietary Tips for Skin Health:

Nourish your skin from within by including these in your diet:

• Tomatoes: Packed with antioxidants.
• Carrots: Rich in vitamin A which promotes healthy skin.
• Walnuts: Filled with essential fatty acids.
• Avocados: Great source of vitamins E and C.
• Pumpkin: High in beta-carotene, which gets converted to vitamin A.
• Salmon: A wonderful source of Omega-3 fatty acids which help maintain skin elasticity and hydration.
• Water: Aim for 3-4 liters daily (approx. 0.8 - 1.06 gallons or 12.7 - 16.9 cups) to keep your skin hydrated and flush out toxins. For a more tailored approach, consider drinking half your body weight in ounces. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, aim for about 75 ounces of water daily.

Limit or avoid:

• Deep-fried foods
• Excessive cheese
• Alcohol
• High sugar foods and beverages
• Excessive coffee (a cup or two is fine, but moderation is key)

Additional dietary tips:

• Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats is excellent for skin health.
• Green tea is rich in antioxidants and can be a good addition.
• If you’re avoiding coffee due to its diuretic properties, remember that moderate coffee consumption can still be hydrating and provides antioxidants.
• Ensure a good intake of Vitamin E and C through foods like berries, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens.

Lifestyle Tips:

• Don’t forget about the importance of getting enough sleep, managing stress, and avoiding smoking. All of these play a critical role in skin health.

Remember, both your skincare routine and diet are crucial for maintaining healthy, glowing skin. Regularly review and adjust based on your skin’s evolving needs. And as always, consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional for personalized advice tailored to your specific needs.

Recommended Products List:

Oil-based Cleansers:
• IUNIK Calendula Complete Deep Vegan Cleansing Oil
• Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil

• TATCHA Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil

Water Based Cleansers:

• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser

Gel Cleansers:
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Fragrance Free Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser

Cream Cleansers:
• TATCHA The Rice Wash | Soft Cream Facial Cleanser

Exfoliants:
• (Product link or name for AHAs)

• Fenti Preshow Glow and Exfoliant 10% AHA
• ISNTREE Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid

Essences:
• Vegan Kombucha Cream Essence

Toners:
• (Product link or name for toner)
• (Additional toner product name/link)

Ampoules/Serums:
• (Product link or name for addressing specific skin concerns)
• Lanmeri C E Ferulic - A vitamin C serum that provides environmental protection, lightens lines, firms skin and brightens your complexion.

Retinol:
• (Product link or name for retinol or retinoid product)

Moisturizing Creams:
• (Product link or name for daily moisturizer)
• (Product link or name for barrier-repair mask)

Sunscreens:
• Blue Lizard Sensitive Mirneral Sunscreen With Zinc SPF 50+
• (Product link or name for sunscreen suitable after using retinol)

Lip Balms:
• (Product link or name for lip balm)

Eye Creams:
• Tatcha The Silk Peony Melting Under Eye Cream