Sharing a perfect skincare routine that is different in the morning and evening

Hello everyone! Today, I’d like to share my own detailed morning and evening skincare routine, which is infused with my own personal strict rules. I don’t use super expensive or fancy cosmetics, but since I believe my skin condition and skincare goals are completely different in the morning and evening, I use different formulations and application methods. If you are a beauty nomad or currently stuck in a skincare plateau, I think it would be a good idea to review your own routine!

First, the core of my morning routine is creating a hydrated base that allows makeup to apply smoothly without caking, and ensuring thorough sun protection! In the morning, to avoid irritating my skin, I either wash with just water or use a very mild gel-type foam cleanser to gently remove only the oil accumulated overnight. Then, I apply a lightweight hyaluronic acid hydration ampoule that absorbs incredibly fast. The most important point here is to gently pat it in with my fingers and wait until it is fully absorbed. If you rush and just apply it haphazardly while it sits on the surface of your skin before immediately applying the next cream, your foundation will inevitably flake off like dead skin later on.

I apply a light, oil-free, refreshing gel-type moisturizer, but the part I put the most effort into in my morning routine is, of course, sunscreen!! I squeeze out a generous amount—about the length of two index finger joints—and apply it in two stages, layering it thinly several times. I prefer mineral sunscreens that don't sting the eyes and offer a slight tone-up effect, and I've found that applying it meticulously like this every day is essential for effectively preventing freckles and blemishes.

On the other hand, the core of my evening routine is 'restoring skin tired from a day of external stimuli and regenerating it with plenty of nutrients.' Haha. After work, I always start with a thorough double cleanse to remove fine dust and makeup residue. Then, I generously apply the highly nourishing, high-performance ampoules that I couldn't use in the morning for fear of my makeup smudging!

Right after washing my face, I gently smooth out my skin texture with a soothing toner pad, and then apply a generous amount of a concentrated ampoule containing bifida or ceramide, which are great for strengthening the skin barrier. In particular, about twice a week, I squeeze out a pea-sized amount of retinol cream and mix it with my moisturizer before applying it. Since I've been using it consistently, I think it's truly the best for improving pore elasticity in the butterfly zone and preventing fine lines around the eyes. At first, I experienced some flaking, but once my skin got used to it, my texture became smooth.

Finally, right before bed, I apply a really thick and rich nourishing regenerating cream all over my face like a sleeping mask. It has a sticky texture that I absolutely cannot apply in the morning because it feels too heavy, but I've found that you need to cover your skin so tightly at night that it feels stuffy for the nutrients to be absorbed while you sleep. As a result, when I wash my face the next morning, my skin feels as soft and smooth as a peeled egg.

Although the type of cream I use changes slightly depending on the season or my condition each day, I always try to stick to this general framework. I'm so curious to know what your favorite skincare routines or secret combinations are! If you have any hidden gems, please feel free to share them in the comments. I would be so grateful!