My Complete Morning Skincare Routine

Good morning, beautiful friends 🤍

Growing up, I was always an athlete — constantly moving, sweating, and pushing my body. While I loved being part of a team, my skin definitely felt the effects. Between stress, high-carb fueling, and sugary sports drinks like Gatorade, I struggled with acne for years.

I even went on Accutane in high school — which helped — but the real transformation didn’t happen until I shifted to a root-cause, holistic approach:

• Reducing stress
• Nourishing my body with whole foods — cutting the junk and chemicals (by the way, did you know we have thousands of food additives allowed in our food including preservatives, colorings, “natural” flavorings, emulsifiers, and stabilizers that wreak havoc in our whole systems)
• Prioritizing clean skincare
• And protecting my skin with SPF daily

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That’s when my skin truly began to glow.

I don’t do Botox or fillers because I try to honor the natural skin God gave me and feel that aging beautifully and naturally is God’s plan for my life. I’ll occasionally do a BBL laser treatment (they are the best!), but I’m mindful not to fall into the cycle of overdoing it. By the way, NEVER do lasers during the summer especially if you’re outdoors a lot; I typically only do them September–April.

For me, beauty is about health, healthy joyful relationships, and knowing how to dress confidently. A beautiful heart is what I think is most pleasing to the Lord.

Why I Love European Skincare

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One of the biggest shifts in my routine was moving toward European skincare brands.

Here’s why:

• The European Union bans 1,300+ potentially harmful chemicals in cosmetics
• The United States Food and Drug Administration bans fewer than 20

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That means European products are generally formulated with stricter safety standards, especially around:

• Endocrine disruptors
• Certain preservatives (like parabens in higher concentrations)
• Synthetic fragrances and dyes

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European skincare tends to focus on:

• Skin barrier health
• Gentle, effective formulations
• Long-term skin integrity over quick fixes

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This philosophy aligns so much with how I approach wellness 🤍

My Morning Routine

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1.  Cleanse

A gentle face cleanser to start fresh. My current favorite is Biologique Recherche LAIT VIP O2 — it is medical grade and full of the best high quality ingredients.

2.  Micellar Water

I lightly pat my skin with Bioderma Sensibio H2O using a cotton pad — this is a French pharmacy staple and removes any residual impurities without stripping the skin.

3.  Gua Sha Ritual

A moment of calm and sculpting 🤍 Benefits:

• Reduces puffiness & supports lymphatic drainage
• Naturally lifts and contours
• Boosts circulation + glow
• Relieves facial tension
• Supports collagen over time

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The Gua Sha that I use is super affordable and linked on Amazon.

4.  Moisturize

I rotate between two favorites: Clearstem Hydraglow Instant Hydrating and Plumping Moisturizer (I really love all Clearstem products), and Hydramemory Light Sorbet Cream. I love the Hydramemory because there are no junky ingredients — it contains prickly pear extract from regenerative organic agriculture and Macro Hyaluronic Acid. It has high quality ingredients that give the skin comfort and hydration, leaving it immediately softer, smoother, and more radiant.

5.  SPF + Tint (Non-Negotiable)

I’ve used Elta MD UV AOX Elements Tinted Face Sunscreen for 10+ years. If you live in the Austin, Texas area, you can find it at Westlake Dermatology.

• Zinc-based (mineral protection)
• Helps with fine lines
• Gives the most beautiful, natural glow

6.  Light Finish

A soft translucent powder — there are a lot of great ones on the market. I typically do something light and natural. On date nights I love the W3LL PEOPLE Supernatural Stick Highlighter or Supernatural Stick Multi-Use Blush.

I keep makeup minimal — I want my skin to feel clean, fresh, and alive. I don’t think the caked-on makeup look is a good look for anyone, so focusing more on quality skincare vs a lot of makeup is a win win.

7.  Avène Eau Thermale Mist

This thermal spring water mist soothes, rebalances, and calms the skin. I usually throw the 1.6 fl oz size into my purse and use it if we have a long day at the baseball fields. I am a super sporty and active mom, so this calms and rebalances my skin and helps it feel fresh if I am out and about with my family. I do not use this every day, but definitely use it 3–4 times a week and it’s fabulous!

Nutrition for Glowing Skin

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Your skin reflects your internal health. I focus on:

• Healthy fats (salmon, avocado)
• Hydration and avoiding a lot of sun exposure
• Minimizing dairy + excess sugar (major triggers for me — these can also be hard on your liver, and a healthy liver is essential for glowing skin)

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This alone made a huge difference for me in inflammation, breakouts, and even brain fog.

Evening Routine

1.  Remove Makeup

Again, with Bioderma Sensibio H2O and gentle cotton pads.

2.  Gentle Cleanse

A cleansing milk — European brands like Avène or La Roche-Posay are beautiful options.

3.  Moisture + Repair

A nourishing cream to hydrate and support skin overnight. My current favorite is Remedy Defense Cream, made for sensitive skin with high quality ingredients. Enriched with Marula Oil, it is nourishing and soothing and is especially great for dehydrated sensitive skin. Spending extra money on high quality products is always worth the investment for your skin health and wellbeing long term. This product has 92.6% natural-origin ingredients and is vegan-friendly.

4.  Retinoid (3x/week)

Differin Gel — typically only around $13 and you get the same results as expensive retin A sold in medical salons, trust me I have tried them all :)

• Helps with acne + fine lines
• Increases cell turnover
• Game changer for long-term skin health

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Always pair with SPF, wear hats for sun protection when outdoors, and avoid overuse.

5.  Optional Add-Ons

• Ice roller (great for inflammation + cooling)
• Skip retinoids before heavy sun exposure

Lifestyle = Skin Health

I also prioritize:

• Limiting alcohol (it impacts elasticity + sleep)
• Supporting gut health with probiotics
• Managing stress intentionally

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If you’re curious about alcohol + health, I recommend the article by Mark Hyman on his website — it’s a great read.

My Go-To Glow Boost

Before events or date nights I reach for the Medicube Jelly Gel Mask with Salmon DNA PDRN — a Korean favorite. It leaves your skin:

• Plump
• Hydrated
• Radiant

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ICE ROLL! I always ice roll in the mornings and before events — a few minutes each time. It leaves my skin feeling fabulous and helps remove redness.

Oh and lastly, my two weapons for anyone with acne are adding a probiotic to your diet and clindamycin phosphate topical solution 1% pledgets — prescription only. With insurance I pay about $10 for them and I usually wipe the pads over my face morning and night to be preventative. I do not regularly use them but for anyone who regularly struggles with acne, I swear these will make all of your breakouts disappear without breaking the bank :)

Final Thoughts

For me, skincare isn’t about perfection — it’s about stewardship.

Taking care of your skin:

• Nourishes your confidence
• Reflects your health
• Honors how you were created

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Less noise. Less toxins. More intention.

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Stay glowing, naturally 🤍

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Gracefully Kristen

Living with grace, purpose, and intention.

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