CEO of Morning Skincare [Best Products for Dry Winter Skin]

“CEO” sounds like a blend of mystery, power, and influence. Someone who is dependable and innovative sure, but also fashionable and fresh-faced. Visions of tailored suits, stately pumps, bouncy hair, and a briefcase full of to-dos, all come to mind. 

My morning routine is a practice that helps me feel like the CEO of my own life. There’s a book titled Good Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod that shifted the way I take on mornings from “I don’t want to get out of bed” to “I cannot wait to see what I will accomplish today.” After reading this book in 2017, I started to be more present with my mornings and began analyzing how I was spending my time overall. Was I waking up on my first alarm? Did I feel rested after 7hrs or did I need more like 8hrs? What tasks was I most proficient within the A.M? How much better did I feel when I incorporated movement in my morning? You get the idea. I viewed my mornings as a standby to see how I spent my minutes. This helped me optimize productivity, put forth intention, and increase the excitement for the day ahead. One practice that never failed to make me feel more put together and motivated for the day was my skincare routine.

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I have always had dry skin and prone to acne and irritation so when my aesthetician introduced me to Obagi medical-grade skincare, I was hopeful for clear and hydrated skin. I started by using the Clenziderm system every morning and night, and with each day, watched the acne disappear. Within two months of using the Clenziderm system, I had very little acne; my mild cheek rosacea was clearing up; and I had an overall brighter complexion. I still use this kit when I have a random breakout. 

Since starting Obagi products, and with the help of a few other products, getting enough rest, ice rolling, wearing sunscreen, and resisting the urge to pop or pick at my face, I have reached my skin goals. Here is how I did it and what I used…

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Morning Skincare Routine + Products

I like my morning skincare to leave me looking like a glazed donut. In my 5-step Nighttime Skin Care Routine blog post, I explained why getting “un-ready” is such an important part of the day. But, prepping your skin for the day and giving yourself some self-care in the morning is just as important. 

As the quote says “do something today that your tomorrow self will thank you for” this applies to your skin as well. By using medically tested products to keep the face hydrated and free of aromatic toxins, our tomorrow self will look brighter and more like the CEO of her own life.    

These five steps take a maximum of five minutes once you perfect your system. Start with a foaming cleanser and end with sunscreen—always sunscreen. It may seem overwhelming at first, but take it a week and you’ll have it down to five minutes.  

1. Obagi Foaming Gel
2. Obagi Toner
3. Obagi Vitamin C
4. Obagi Hydrating Drops or Obagi Hydrate Moisturizer 
5. Obagi Cool Tone Sunscreen

I apply these products in this order and try to leave 20-60 seconds between each step to let the previous application sink into the skin before applying another. All of these products are non-irritating, non-sensitizing, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, hydrating, and much more. 

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Additional OBAGI I Use:

1. CLENZIderm M.D. System
2. ELASTIderm Facial Serum, Face Serum with Bi-Mineral Contour Complex – All Skin Types
3. Nu-Derm System – Normal to Dry Bundle 

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5 Tips For CEO-Ready Skincare 

-Always remove makeup and wash the face at the end of the night before applying retinol and a nightly moisturizer. My college friends used to laugh when I lined up my skincare in order of how to apply it on the sink before going out. This system helped me never forget, especially on the weekends.

-Take the time to educate yourself on what order to apply each product and how much to use. Most of the time, not as much product is needed as you might think. 

– Use the products linked above but also incorporate a day of the week to apply a face mask, exfoliate, and wear no makeup. It’s so important to let the skin breathe. I have found that by giving my skin a timeout from makeup, I look both livelier and feel more comfortable with my natural complexion. 

– Ask your dermatologist or aesthetician if you are unsure about the A-grade of a product. Be transparent about your skincare goals. I have found that they are honest about products that are and aren’t worth your money.

-Invest in your skin, it’s the largest organ you have and is often craving moisture and care. While these Obagi products are on the pricier side ranging between $50-200, the results are worth it. I justified this price tag by reminding myself: I am spending money on products now to preserve my skin, instead of wishing I had taken better care of it later in life. I look at my skin every day, so I might as well invest in it. And lastly, when you transition from having acne to finding a system that helps heal your skin, the investment is undeniable. I believe in the science. 

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More Skincare Product Options

If the price tag of these products is a speed bump for your journey to clear skin, I have some products that I use in conjunction with Obagi and SkinCeuticals that are also great for developing a morning self-care regime.  

–CeraVe (Cleanser) is a dermatologist-approved brand that I often use when traveling and notice that after double cleansing my face, I feel great.

–Thayer’s Hydrating Face Toner is a product I still use about once a week. I enjoy using the lavender toner before bed. 

–Ponds used to be my go-to night moisturizing crème.

–St Tropez Self Tanner Mist is a great sunless option for achieving a summer glow, year-round. I use this about three times a week in the morning before applying my other products.

–Julep Cleansing Oil helps remove makeup with also hydrating the skin and it smells so good. Highly recommend.

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Tips for Better Skin

Whether your budget for skincare is large or small, every step towards healthier skin is a step in the right direction. Here are five other things that cost little to no money that will help balance skin tone, reduce inflammation, and maintain the elasticity of the skin. 

-Ice roll your face in the morning (and at night). This is a relaxing ritual and helps eliminate puffiness. I got mine here. 

-Contour your face with a Gua Sha Stone to boost blood flow and the revitalization of healthy pores. I learned how to use it with this video.  

-Refrain from picking or touching the face as much as possible. First off, hands are exposed to the most germs so that would mean transmitting them directly onto the face. Secondly, the skin produces the oils that it needs, and it’s important not to interfere with our body’s natural detox cycle.

-Get enough sleep. The age-old saying “get your beauty sleep” is no joke. Rest is crucial for youthful skin as well as preserving the skin long-term.

-Drink your water. You’ve heard it before, and I’ll say it again. When using tools like the Gua Sha stone and an ice roller to release toxins and flush the pores, it’s important to replenish the cells with water. 

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Facials? Yes, Please

One last note on something I like to incorporate into my schedule once a month. In addition to mud and sheet masks, facials are an awesome self-care gift that reboots the skin. My favorite type of facial right now is a HydraFacial. It is a non-invasive resurfacing treatment that deeply cleanses, removes dead skin, and hydrates by delivering moisturizing serums into the skin. My go-to is Herh Aesthetics in Charleston, SC. If you opt for a more traditional facial that includes many products, masks, hot towels, and extractions, be sure to ask what products are going to be used. I have opted out of an appointment before because after asking about the products, some of the ingredients in the lotions were sure to clog my pores instead of cleansing them. When budgeting for a facial, I have found that they normally range between $80-$250. The after-facial glow is worth every penny. 

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Conclusion

In all the books I’ve read about productivity and self-care, there is one reoccurring theme that determines how I approach my mornings. And that is: To have momentum for the day, you have to start creating it yourself. This can be as simple as making your bed. This counts as completing your first task of the day. Or this can be writing a blog post, working out, or meeting a friend for a walk. However you choose to map out your mornings in 2023, including five minutes for skin care.