Hey yâall! đ¸â¨
With the weather warming up and the sun finally making a regular appearance, Iâve been getting so many questions about how I keep my skin glowy (even in this Louisiana humidity đ
). So I figuredâwhy not spill all the tea in one place? From my ride-or-die skincare products to the glowy makeup combos Iâm loving lately, Iâm walking you through everything that keeps me lookinâ fresh, dewy, and ready to shoot content or hit the crawfish boil. đ
Whether youâre a skincare girly, a glow-chaser, or just trying to keep your skin from melting off in the Southern heat, this oneâs for you. Letâs get into it!
Step One: Gently Cleanse with SkinCeuticals Simply Clean â¨đ
Every good morning skincare routine starts with a fresh face, and for me, that means reaching for the SkinCeuticals Simply Clean Gel Cleanser. Even if I didn’t wear makeup the night before, I always cleanse in the morning to wash away any oil, sweat, or leftover skincare products from my beauty sleep.
Simply Clean is lightweight but powerfulâperfect for normal to oily skin types, especially down here in the humid Southern weather where my skin can get a lil shiny before noon. Itâs packed with botanical extracts and hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate while helping minimize pores and refine textureâaka, itâs my secret to that smooth, glowy base before makeup.
Not to be dramatic, but I genuinely feel like my skin wakes up after I use this cleanser. It leaves me feeling refreshed, balanced, and ready to layer on my serums, SPF, and a good skin tint.
đ§ Tayâs Tip: Donât skip your morning cleanse! Even if youâre in a rush, this 30-second step sets the tone (and texture!) for the rest of your routine.
Step Two: Brighten + Hydrate with a Vitamin C Serum đđ§
Right after I pat my skin dry from cleansing, I go straight in with my vitamin C serumâand yâall, this step is non-negotiable if you want that lit-from-within glow. My current obsession? SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. Itâs a splurge, but trust meâitâs worth it.
This iconic serum is packed with pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), vitamin E, and ferulic acid, which work together to protect your skin from environmental damage (hi, sun + pollution), even out your skin tone, and boost brightness. Itâs like your morning cup of coffeeâbut for your face. âď¸
I use 4-5 drops and gently press it into my skin. It absorbs quickly and layers perfectly under my SPF and makeup. After just a few weeks of using this, my skin looked more radiant, even, and smooth. Itâs definitely a holy grail in my spring skincare routine.
đ Tayâs Tip: Store your vitamin C in a cool, dark place to keep it potent, and always use it in the morning for max antioxidant protection!
Step Three: Plump + Hydrate with SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier đ§đ
Once my vitamin C serum has fully absorbed, I follow up with my secret weapon for bouncy, glowing skinâthe SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier. If youâve never tried this before, let me put you on real quick: itâs a hydrating serumthatâs all about boosting your skinâs natural hyaluronic acid levelsâaka the stuff that keeps your skin plump, smooth, and youthful.
The formula is packed with multi-functional hyaluronic acid, proxylane, and purple rice extract (yes, thatâs a thing!), which work together to deeply hydrate, smooth fine lines, and improve skin texture. Itâs honestly like giving your skin a tall glass of waterâwithout the heaviness.
I apply 4-5 drops, press it in with my fingertips, and let it soak in before moving on to my moisturizer or SPF. My skin instantly feels firmer, dewier, and more refreshedâperfect for layering under makeup, especially in spring when the air is still doing its hot-and-cold mood swings.
đ Tayâs Tip: Donât forget your neck and chest when applyingâhydration shouldnât stop at your jawline!
Step Four: Target + Treat with SkinCeuticals P-Tiox đâ¨
Next up in my morning routine is a skin-refining powerhouse: SkinCeuticals P-Tiox. This treatment serum has been a total game-changer for me, especially when it comes to keeping my skin clear, smooth, and bright without any irritation. If you’re dealing with congestion, uneven texture, or post-acne marks, this oneâs for you.
Formulated with azelaic acid, alpha arbutin, and calming plant-based ingredients, P-Tiox helps reduce the appearance of blemishes, redness, and discoloration while improving skin clarity. Itâs basically my bright-skin in a bottle step. It feels lightweight, layers effortlessly, and gives me that clean, fresh, airbrushed look even before makeup.
I apply a thin layer after my H.A. serum and let it sink in. It never pills, never feels sticky, and gives just the right amount of glow without looking oilyâperfect for spring days in the South when the humidity starts acting up.
đ Tayâs Tip: Focus this one on your T-zone or areas with uneven tone or texture for a targeted glow-up.
Step Five: Moisturize with SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 â¨đ
Time to lock it all in, babe. After all my serums and treatments, I never skip moisturizer â and SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore is that girl in my routine. If you want soft, smooth, healthy-looking skin that feels like it just had a facial? This is it.
Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is packed with barrier-loving ingredients like ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol â basically everything your skin needs to stay balanced, hydrated, and radiant. It helps strengthen the skin barrier (which is so important if youâre using actives like Vitamin C) and gives me that plump, glowy look without feeling heavy or greasy.
The texture is rich but melts right in â like skincare luxury in a jar. I warm it up between my fingers and press it into my skin, always taking it down my neck and chest because weâre treating it all over here.
đ Tayâs Tip: Less is more! Start with a pea-sized amount and add more if you need it. And donât forget to apply with upward motions for that lifted, snatched look.
Step Six: Glow + Protect with SkinCeuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense SPF 30 đâ¨
We are not leaving the house without sunscreen â I donât care if itâs cloudy, cold, or youâre just running errands. SPF is non-negotiable, and SkinCeuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense is my current fave for a reason.
This one is lightweight, hydrating, and leaves the prettiest natural glow without any white cast. Bonus? Itâs formulated with niacinamide and tranexamic acid, so it actually helps brighten dark spots and even out your skin tone while you wear it. Itâs skincare and sun protection all in one step â we love a multitasking queen.
It layers beautifully over moisturizer, doesnât pill under makeup, and gives my skin that lit-from-within look. Plus, itâs perfect for spring and summer days when you want protection and radiance.
đ Tayâs Tip: Donât forget your ears, neck, and hands! I keep a mini in my bag for touch-ups throughout the day.
Thatâs a Wrap on My Morning Skincare Routine đ
And there you have it â my full morning skincare routine from cleanse to SPF, using all my tried-and-true SkinCeuticals faves. This routine has seriously transformed the way my skin looks and feels. Itâs glowy, smooth, hydrated, and totally makeup-ready (or fresh-faced if Iâm keeping it chill).
Skincare is such a personal journey, but I hope this breakdown helps you build a routine that feels good and delivers results. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re a fellow skincare junkie like me, the key is consistency and using products that actually work for your skin type.
⨠Donât forget â you can shop every step of my routine directly on my LTK storefront! Iâve linked everything to make your skincare shopping super easy.
Got questions or want help building your own morning routine? Drop a comment or DM me â I love chatting all things skincare with you!
đ xo,
Taylor