If you’re new to skincare or you’re looking to update your daily self-care rituals, we are excited to share our sweet and simple daily skincare routine with you! Before we dive in, you may be wondering why you need a daily skincare routine, how often you should be doing it, and what the difference is between a morning and evening routine. In this article, our Founder, Erikka Niemi, is sharing all of that key information along with her trusted routines for you to enjoy.
First and foremost, when it comes to your skin (and in fact, most aspects of your life), consistency is key. While you certainly don’t have to practice the same exact routine every day, it's important to care for your skin daily.
“It’s important to pay attention to your skin, it's always speaking to you. It is a direct reflection of what is happening internally,” says Erikka, “adapt to what your skin needs.” If your skin is feeling dull, perhaps you lean into an exfoliant that day, if your skin is dry, maybe you focus more on moisturizer and oils.
“Some days I love a minimal routine, other days I love taking extra time and doing a longer routine,” Erikka shares. Not only can you let your skin inform what routine you carry out each day, you can also listen to what your mind and soul need, offering a little extra care when needed. It’s all connected, after all.
Your skincare practice should take place twice daily, once in the morning to start your day and once in the evening to finish your day.
While your morning and evening routines can be similar, there are a few key differences. For example, you don’t necessarily need to cleanse in the morning. Though, “you always want to listen to your skin, some mornings you might feel the need for a cleanser,” says Erikka. At the end of your day, you definitely want to cleanse and may even want to double cleanse. “Begin with an oil cleanse with a warm washcloth to gently remove impurities from the day followed by your regular cleanser,” she explains.
Another difference between your morning and evening routines is that an SPF is essential to your morning routine but isn’t necessary in the evening. In the evening, you can add a retinol or bakuchiol which you shouldn’t use in the morning.
The Isle De Soleil Simplified Morning Skincare Routine
Each morning, we love this simple yet powerful 4-step routine.
Step 1: Splash your face with cold water for 1 minute.
Step 2: Softly press 3-4 drops of Sun Empress Serum (or another antioxidant facial serum) all over your face, neck and décolleté.
Step 3: Ice roll your face to depuff for a few minutes. Note: This can be replaced with a jade roller, gua sha stone, or facial massage with your fingers.
Step 4: Gently pat on a mineral SPF.
Bonus: Add in a refreshing facial mist.
Regardless of your routine, the two products that Erikka advises to always include in your morning skincare routine are antioxidants and SPF.
The Isle De Soleil Simplified Evening Skincare Routine
Now, as you close your day, here’s the simple evening ritual that we swear by.
Step 1: Begin with an oil cleanser using a warm washcloth to gently remove impurities.
Step 2: Wash your face with your regular cleanser and tepid water.
Step 3: Rub in a pea-sized amount of retinol or bakuchiol (2-4 times per week).
Step 4: Softly press 3-4 drops of Sun Empress Serum (or another antioxidant facial serum) all over your face, neck and décolleté. This is a great time to practice gua sha or some facial massage with your oil as a lubricant.
Step 5: Moisturize your skin if your skin is asking for some extra hydration.
Bonus: Add in a face mask once or twice a week, select a mask depending on what your skin needs (detox, hydration, brightness, etc).
A few products that Erikka would recommend in any evening skincare routine are an oil cleanser, targeting serum, and gua sha or facial massage. “I notice the biggest difference in my face when I use my gua sha, it really helps to sculpt and tone the skin,” she shares.
When it all comes down to it, “a skincare routine is so personal,” says Erikka. “You can add so many layers to it depending on what you want to focus on (acne, anti-aging, or brightening, for example.)”
If you’re just getting started, she recommends you begin with a good mineral-based SPF, a serum, and an oil cleanser. In addition, keep your environment in mind and be mindful of changes in your skin. “Pay attention to any skin changes. Just because you once had acneic skin doesn’t mean you still do. Our skin changes, and we need to adjust with it. It can also be worthwhile to be aware of the changing seasons and how your skin responds.”
What we eat and our guts also have a huge impact on our complexions. We should treat our nutrition in the same way we do our skincare, with mindfulness and consistency. Eating whole foods and omegas, and probiotics help nourish and repair our bodies and, in turn, our skin.
If you have any questions about skin care or your daily rituals, please connect with us on social media and we’ll be sure to answer your inquiries in our upcoming content!
