Morning Skincare Routine • Kath Eats

Here’s an updated post about my morning skincare routine using Oliveda skincare products, plus the steps of a routine to help you build yours!

Taking good care of your skin is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Over the years, I’ve realized that my skincare routine is about so much more than just the products—it’s a daily ritual of self-love. While evenings often allow for a longer routine (think night cream, double cleansing, and treatments that work while you sleep), mornings are a different story. I’m generally done with my routine in about 2 minutes.

Time is limited, kids might be running around, and yet, your morning routine sets the tone for how your skin will face the day—protected against free radicals, sun exposure, and skin damage. Today, I’m walking you through my morning skincare routine with Oliveda products. Consider this your guide to creating a morning routine with products that help you look and feel your best for your skin type and goals.

What Is A Morning Skincare Routine

A lot of people skip morning skincare, but don’t! A morning skincare routine is all about prepping and protecting your skin for the day ahead. Unlike your evening routine, which focuses on repair and renewal, your morning skincare is designed to shield your skin from environmental stressors such as UV rays, pollution, and excess oil production. Think of it as a prevention routine.

A good morning routine also helps hydrate your skin, reduce fine lines, and create a smooth base for makeup. The products you choose should suit your skin type—whether you’re managing dry skin, oily skin, or acne prone skin—and should always end with SPF.

Do You Need A Morning Skincare Routine?

Yes, you absolutely do! Here’s why:

Protect Against Skin Damage

During the day, our skin is exposed to UV rays, pollution, and free radicals. These factors contribute to premature aging, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. A morning skin care routine builds a barrier against these aggressors so your skin stays healthy.

Balance Excess Oil

Even if you remove makeup and double cleanse at night, your skin produces natural oils while you sleep. For oily skin types, starting with a cleanser in the morning helps prevent clogged pores and excess oil throughout the day. If you are dryer, you can wash with water.

Hydrate Dry Skin

Skin tends to lose moisture overnight. Using hydrating skincare products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid in your morning routine helps replenish your skin barrier and combat dryness.

Prep Skin for Makeup

A well-prepped face means smoother application and longer-lasting makeup. The right moisturizer, eye cream, and tinted SPF can make all the difference.

When Should You Do Morning Skincare Routine?

I would say after your first shower, or after you wake up if you shower at night. On the days I get right to work, I shower and do my skincare right before makeup for the day (or no makeup if I’m not leaving the house!). But on days when I go to the gym, I do a mini morning routine (cleanse, moisturize), apply very minimal makeup, and do the full routine below after my first shower, which is often closer to 11am.

What Are The Steps Of A Morning Skincare Routine?

Cleanse

Cleansing removes excess oil, sweat, and impurities that build up overnight. For some with extra dry skin, splashing water is enough, but most skin types benefit from a gentle step 1 cleanser to prevent clogged pores.

Tone

A toner helps balance your skin’s pH, prep it for the next steps, and add hydration. This step ensures that your serums and moisturizer absorb better.

Treat with Serums

Serums target specific concerns such as fine lines, dry skin, or uneven tone. Ingredients like vitamin C, green retinol, and hyaluronic acid work wonders in the morning to protect against skin damage.

Moisturize + Protect

Finish with a moisturizer that seals in hydration and provides protection. Bonus points if your moisturizer includes SPF to fight free radicals and prevent sun-related skin damage. Otherwise follow your moisturizer with a face sunscreen or tinted SPF as the first step of your makeup.

Here Is What I Do For My Morning Skincare Routine!

Step 1: Wash and Cleanse with Oliveda F38 Purifying Cleansing Gel

Some days I just splash my face with water because I do have dry skin, but if I’m taking a shower, I use a cleansing gel that smells SO good. This gentle cleanser removes excess oil and impurities without stripping your skin. Perfect for acne prone skin or anyone dealing with clogged pores. The formula is soothing yet effective, leaving your skin refreshed without that tight feeling.

Step 2: Tone with Oliveda F67 Corrective Facial Tonic

Think of toner as the prep step—it allows your serums and creams to do their best work. It’s also the step that makes my skin feel the most hydrated. This tonic balances your skin’s pH, reduces redness, and preps for the next steps. Instead of spritzing it directly on your face, spray into your hands and pat onto your skin. You’ll lose less product this way and get better absorption.

Step 3: Treat with Serums

This is where the magic happens! Always apply serums before moisturizer so they can penetrate deeply into the skin. In the morning, I layer a small amount of three Oliveda skincare products:

• Oliveda F83 HT + Vitamin C Serum – brightens and evens skin tone, and protects against free radicals. Great for dullness and fine lines. Start with this one because it’s the thinnest.

• Oliveda F06 Cell Active Serum – boosts cell regeneration and supports overall skin health. I LOVE the scent of this one and use this in the morning (it’s also less expensive) and the anti-aging serum F59 in the evening.
• Oliveda F82 Green Retinol Face Elixir – Mixing an elixir with your serum gives your skin a powerhouse of hydration, repair, and protection. This Green Retinol elixir is a plant-based retinol alternative that fights fine lines and improves texture without irritation. I like the scent of this one the best, but the F87 Kahai Elixir is also a great choice you can use morning and night.

Step 4: Moisturize + Protect

Seal in all that goodness with Oliveda F42 Corrective Face Cream. It’s lightweight yet nourishing, with a built-in SPF effect to protect against UV damage. Follow with Oliveda F09 Anti Wrinkle Eye Cream—a must for keeping the delicate under-eye area smooth and hydrated. Both products help with fine lines and dryness. A small amount of eye cream is all you need. Dab gently with your ring finger to avoid tugging.

Step 5: Tinted SPF + Makeup

Finish your routine with Dime Tinted Wonderscreen with SPF — it’s a tinted moisturizer that doubles as sun protection. Perfect for busy mornings when you don’t want heavy makeup but still want coverage. I wear shade #2, which is darker than I might normally use, but it sinks in well and leaves a bronzed look! From there, I add a little concealer, blush, and lip gloss for a light, everyday look.

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If this seems like a lot of products, skip the cleanser, toner, elixir, and eye cream. But remember, you’ll use most of these for your night routine, too, so you don’t need a second set of products for that (but might want to use a night cream or stronger anti-aging products).

If you’re looking for more clean beauty inspiration, check out my post on beautycounter alternatives. And for more on the importance of applying products in the right order, don’t miss my post on skincare routine order.