From AM to PM: Mastering the Day-to-Night Skincare Ritual (2025)

If you’re wondering why your skincare routine isn’t doing you any favours, ask yourself these questions. Do you know your skin type? Do you have different routines for morning and night? And most importantly, are you taking the weather into account? Singapore’s hot and humid climate can make maintaining healthy skin a challenge. The constant heat and high humidity often lead to excess oil, clogged pores, and frustrating breakouts. But don’t worry — a skincare routine tailored to these conditions can help you keep your skin balanced, fresh, and glowing.

We hate to break it to you, but a 20-step skincare routine won’t necessarily benefit your skin. The truth is, you don’t need an endless array of products with various ingredients — your skin naturally produces most of what it needs. Keeping your routine simple is the best approach. Here are the essential steps your skin needs both during the day and at night.

Contents

  • Our Guide to the Best Skincare Routine
    • Morning Skincare Routine
      • Cleanser
      • Toner
      • Serum
      • Moisturiser
      • Sunscreen
    • Nighttime Skincare Routine
      • Double Cleanse
      • Exfoliator
      • Serums
      • Moisturiser
      • Eye Cream
      • Optional Steps

Our Guide to the Best Skincare Routine

Morning Skincare Routine

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Your morning skincare routine is all about starting the day on the right note — protecting and hydrating your skin to face whatever comes your way. Think of it as a shield against sunlight, pollution, and all the little stressors your skin encounters daily. The right steps in the morning not only keep your skin feeling fresh but also ensure it looks vibrant and healthy throughout the day.

Pro tip: be sure to take your time with each step and let the products fully absorb before moving on to the next product. This maximises their benefits and prevents your skin from feeling heavy or overloaded. Here are the proper steps in the right order for you to practice every AM:

Cleanser

Start with a gentle cleanser to refresh your skin and remove any impurities that have built up overnight. Whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin, choose a cleanser that matches your skin type. Cleansing sets the foundation for the rest of your routine, ensuring your skin is clean and ready to absorb other products.

Here’s some info that might seem surprising: you don’t need to wash your face with a cleanser every morning, even if it’s gentle. Depending on your skin type, rinsing your face with just water after waking up is often sufficient. Try it and see if your skin feels less stripped and dry in the morning. After all, it deserves a break too!

Toner

Next, apply a toner to restore your skin’s natural balance and refine your pores. While some may find this step confusing or redundant, the purpose of a toner is to remove any remaining impurities and prepare the skin to absorb serums and moisturisers more effectively. Depending on your skin’s needs, toners can either hydrate or exfoliate, and despite popular belief, it’s not necessary to use a cotton pad to apply the product to the skin (there are always toner pads for that). Remember to reduce waste!

Serum

The third step involves applying a serum that caters to your specific skin concern. Serums are concentrated treatments with active ingredients designed to target specific issues, such as fine lines, dark spots, or uneven texture. If you’re itching to see a noticeable difference in your skin, this is an unskippable step.

We recommend using a vitamin C serum every morning as it brightens the skin, evens out the complexion, and provides antioxidant protection against free radicals. Regular use of a serum like this can improve skin texture and promote a healthy and radiant glow. You can also alternate your serums each morning, using a vitamin C serum one day and a hydrating serum, like one with hyaluronic acid, the next.

Moisturiser

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Speaking of hydration, we can’t overstate its importance at any time of day, as it keeps your skin plump and healthy throughout. In the mornings, apply a lightweight moisturiser that locks in moisture without clogging your pores, such as a gel moisturiser. The goal is to provide your skin with the hydration it needs to stay smooth and supple. Even if you have applied a hydrating serum beforehand, it’s simply not enough to ward off dry and flaky skin that everyone dreads — only moisturisers can do that.

Sunscreen

The most important step of your morning routine is applying sunscreen, especially in hot and sunny Singapore. UV rays are the leading cause of premature aging and skin damage, making sunscreen a must, no matter what. Even on cloudy or rainy days, applying sunscreen is necessary if you want your skin to appear youthful for as long as possible. Those pesky UV rays can affect your skin regardless.

Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays — we recommend nothing less than SPF 50 PA+++. Don’t forget to apply it on your neck and decolletage too, as well as invest in body sunscreen.

Nighttime Skincare Routine

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A nighttime skincare routine focuses on repair and rejuvenation, as your skin enters its recovery phase while you sleep. This makes it the ideal time to use targeted treatments and nourishing products to address specific concerns and restore your skin’s vitality. A consistent nighttime regimen not only helps tackle issues like dryness, dullness, or fine lines but also preps your skin for the next day.

Another pro tip on applying skincare: When rubbing your products into the skin, use gentle, upward motions to avoid unnecessary tugging. Stick to your routine every night, as consistency is key to seeing results. Over time, you’ll notice visible improvements in your skin’s texture, clarity, and overall radiance.

Double Cleanse

Although cleanser is optional in the morning, it’s essential at night to remove makeup, sunscreen, dirt, and excess oil that have built up throughout the day. We recommend double cleansing, starting with a makeup remover followed by a gentle cleanser, to thoroughly clean your skin without stripping its natural oils. Skipping either step often leaves your skin inadequately cleansed.

Begin by using your preferred makeup remover, whether it’s micellar water, a cleansing balm, or oil, to eliminate all the nasties your face has accumulated during the day. Then, follow up with your everyday cleanser to refresh and balance your skin.

Exfoliator

Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, which can build up over time and lead to dullness, clogged pores, and uneven texture. By exfoliating, you help reveal fresh and healthy skin underneath, allowing your other skincare products to penetrate more effectively.

We recommend using chemical exfoliants at night instead of physical ones. This gently dissolves the bonds holding dead skin cells together, rather than scrubbing the skin which can lead to micro-tears. For best results, exfoliate two to three times a week, but be cautious — overdoing it can irritate your skin and weaken its protective barrier.

Serums

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Nighttime is the perfect opportunity to drench your skin with treatment products with active ingredients that work while you sleep. Options like retinoids, peptides, and spot treatments are particularly effective during this recovery phase. Be sure to tailor your nighttime treatments to your skin’s specific needs.

The best nighttime serums include retinoids that can help reduce fine lines, refine skin texture, and combat acne, but if you’re new to them, start with a low concentration and gradually build up to prevent irritation. Peptides are another excellent choice as they support skin repair, enhance elasticity, and promote a firmer and healthier complexion.

Moisturiser

Be sure to lock in all the skincare goodness with a rich moisturiser or night cream. Nighttime moisturisers are typically heavier than their daytime counterparts, providing deeper hydration and nourishment. Instead of daytime gel moisturisers, think thicker cream textures. Look for formulas with ingredients like shea butter or ceramides to support your skin’s natural repair process.

Eye Cream

Yes, eye creams are applied after moisturiser, not before. While some may consider this step unnecessary, eye creams are specifically formulated to target concerns like puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. We promise that they’re not just glorified moisturisers! Remember that signs of ageing typically manifest around the eye area first so it requires extra TLC.

To apply, gently pat the cream around your eyes using your ring finger, as it applies the least pressure. It’s important to apply delicate care to this sensitive area as it’s considered to be the thinnest skin on your body, more prone to wear and tear.

Optional Steps

Since the nighttime is the best time to pamper your skin, it’s the best time to add in all those extra skincare products you’ve been dying to use. Whether it’s adding a hydrating mask, facial oil, gua sha, or other overnight treatments, this is your time to give your skin the care it deserves. While it’s tempting to use every product, remember that a balanced routine with occasional extras is the best way to maintain health and glowing skin. Simplicity is key!

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From AM to PM: Mastering the Day-to-Night Skincare Ritual (2025)
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