should your morning and evening skin routines be different?

we get it- it's much more convenient to use the exact same skincare products both morning & night. however, your skin functions completely different during the day than at night. in the morning, it's all about *protection* from environmental aggressors such as pollution, smoke & the sun, whereas at nighttime it switches into recovery mode to *repair* the damage of the day. when it comes to maximizing your skincare products, it's all about knowing when to use what. you wouldn't go into battle unprepared now, would you?

AM: protect & defendall day, your skin works hard to protect itself from constant attack of daily aggressors that increase the number of free radicals in the air, leading to collagen & elastin breakdown (AKA accelerated aging). your morning routine should be strictly focused on using products to prepare your skin's defenses for the day ahead

PM: repair & regeneratethey dub it 'beauty sleep' for a reason. when your skin isn't in defense mode, it's able to counteract the damage of the day. in fact, the regeneration process can be 3x faster at night. your skin is also more permeable, which is why it's so important to take advantage of those crucial nighttime hours with active and nourishing ingredients 

below is not a full skincare routine, but rather staples that every morning and evening should include. if you're looking for a full routine, it's always best to consult with a licensed professional to determine the right products/treatments for your skin type and goals

morning routine

START WITH A GOOD CLEANSE: it still surprises us how many people still think splashing water on your face in the morning will do the trick. while you're tossing and turning at night, bacteria from your pillow, oils from your hair and saliva are easily transfered to your skin. by not cleansing, these impurities on top of the skin get in the way of your morning routine and can clog your pores and result in breakouts. it's also important to wash off the photosensitive products from the night before you enter into the sun *facial wipes don't count*shop our favorite cleansers: hereDEFEND WITH VITAMIN C: antioxidants, particularly Vitamin C, are your greatest defense weapon when it comes to protecting your skin. they work by neutralizing free radicals before they cause damage. in other words, they prevent premature aging and keep your skin cells healthy. the best way to implement Vitamin C into your routine is through a serum as they’re more concentrated than creams. look for one that contains pure ascorbic acid (also known as L-ascorbic acid)- it’s the most stable form of Vitamin C and has been proven to be the most effective at penetrating the skin barriershop vitamin c serums: here (we recommend C E ferulic for dry/normal, phloretin CF for oily/acne and power serum for sensitive skin types)USE A LIGHTWEIGHT MOISTURIZER: although one moisturizer technically can take you from morning to night, it's not a bad idea to opt for two options. durning the daytime, focus on something that protects your skin with antioxidants and peptides while still sealing in hydrationshop our favorite light weight moistruizer: herePROTECT WITH SPF: sun exposure accounts for 90% of all visible signs of aging. studies have shown that just a 2% increase in sun damage can age the face by 3 years (cringe). what’s worse, UV rays will counteract the beneficial ingredients in your skincare products such as antioxidants, peptides, etc, so you’re wasting your time and money if you aren’t shielding your face with SPF. please note: a moisturizer with SPF will not protect the skin as much as two separate products and you can't use SPF in lieu of moisturizer-- you need both baby! look for a broad-spectrum 'mineral formula' that contains zinc oxide. it’s the safest and most effective UVA/UVB filter that won’t clog your pores or cause an allergic reactionshop our favorite sun protection: here

evening routine

DOUBLE CLEANSE: cleansing your skin is vital to remove traces of environmental pollutants that have accumulated throughout the day. the double-cleansing method has been used by korean’s for centuries and here’s the reason behind it: oil cleansing not only breaks down dirt and makeup but also pulls out whatever impurities are trapped in your pores, allowing your face wash to do its job much more effectively. by starting with this step, you create a clean canvas for a proper, thorough cleanse. if you have oily skin, don’t be alarmed- it’s even better for your type. oil cleansers are naturally antibacterial and mimic your skin’s sebum to keep your pH balance stable and excess oil production at bay. see vid on how to oil cleanse: here *make sure to use a microfiber towel* USE SERUMS: serums are designed to deliver high concentrations of specific active ingredients to the skin. this is where you play chemist. figure out what your skin needs and incorporate serums to target different concerns. ACCELERATE REPAIR WITH RETINOL: retinoids (AKA retinol and retin-A) are derived from vitamin A and the #1 anti-aging ingredient on the market. they also fight acne, fade hyperpigmentation, and resurface the skin’s texture for a smooth, even-toned complexion. they boost your cell turnover by stimulating the production of fresh, new skin cells and encourage aging/damaged cells to speed up their renewal process. you only apply retinol at night as sunlight deactivates retinoic acid and will make your skin extra sensitive *apply onto dry skin after cleansing // wait a few minutes and follow with moisturizer* avoid the neck, eyes, nose, and mouth.shop retinol: hereHYDRATE WITH HYALURONIC ACID: just like your body gets thirsty, so does your skin. hyaluronic acid is the gold standard ingredient when it comes to hydration. it can bind 1000x its weight in water to the skin and is crucial at nighttime when we're more susceptible to water loss. think of it as healing the skin. HA is found naturally in the body but sadly depletes as we ageshop the HA serum everyone at HOP is obsessed with right now: here