4 Step Skincare Routine for Busy Mornings

What with the Korean 10-step routine the new hottest thing in skincare, piecing together a basic skincare routine can seem daunting, especially when you have zero clue and zero time. For those just starting out on their skincare journey, we've broken down the essential steps of any morning skincare routine. 

As a general rule of thumb, layer your products in order of consistency, going from thinnest to thickest. In other words, go from products containing the most water to those containing the least water. Why? So that the oilier, thicker layers can seal in the earlier layers. Also, after applying oilier products, it’s harder for the skin to absorb the active ingredients in water-based serums. With this in mind, let’s go through the steps: 

Step 1: Cleanse 

Do this everyday, at least twice a day, and every time your skin is exposed to particularly sweaty situations (spin cycle, anyone?). We are Primary HQ are big believers in double cleansing, but we all have those morning when this simply isn’t an option. If you miss your alarm, use a micellar water or even some facial wipes to cleanse - it’ll do the job and tide your skin over until your nighttime routine. 

Step 2:  Tone/Treat 

This step is totally dependent on the special care your skin needs, whether in general or on that particular day. All serums and treatment products fall within this category. Our Glow Toner is the ultimate multi-tasker - containing 3% Glycolic acid to gently exfoliate and a range of botanicals to sooth and balance your skin, it’s the perfect one-stop for busy routines!  

Step 3: Moisturise 

One of the most commonly held misconceptions is that people with oily skin don’t have to moisturise. In fact, excess sebum production is often the result of dehydrated skin trying to replenish itself. Therefore, keeping skin moisturised can often be the solution for oily skin. Oily or dry, this step is not to be missed. 

Step 4: Sunscreen 

No matter how busy you are, don’t forget your sunscreen if it’s daytime. Yes, this still applies even if you’re indoors (windows do not block UV rays!). Many skincare issues we wish to target, such as hyper-pigmentation and signs of premature ageing, are direct results of unprotected exposure to the sun! Use a sunscreen which offers broad spectrum protection, has an SPF of 30 or higher, and is water-resistant. We like to keep a mini with us at all times, so we can reapply every two hours when sweating it out in sticky Karachi heat. 

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