Is Your Morning Routine Breaking You Out?

The Hormone-Safe Guide to Waking Up Glowy — Not Spotty

Your morning routine should set the tone for the day — but what if it’s actually sabotaging your skin?

For many women, a “healthy” routine can still lead to clogged pores, hormonal breakouts, or dullness. The truth? Common habits (even well-meaning ones) can disrupt your skin and hormones. Here's what might be going wrong — and how to glow safely, from the inside out.

1. Caffeine on an Empty Stomach

We all love our iced lattes — but if you drink caffeine before eating, it can spike your cortisol. High cortisol = stress = increased oil production, inflammation, and hormone imbalance.

Try this: Start with warm lemon water or a loaded mineral water before your coffee.

2. Skipping Your Morning Cleanse

Think skipping cleansing in the morning is better for your barrier? Not always. Overnight sweat, pillowcase bacteria, and leftover products can lead to clogged pores and dullness.

Try this: Use a gentle cleanser like The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser or Byoma’s Jelly Cleanser (both hormone-safe).

3. Using Pore-Clogging SPF or Moisturiser

Even some “clean” beauty brands sneak in comedogenic oils or hormone-disrupting ingredients.

Try this: Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free SPF — we love Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun or BYOMA SPF 30.

4. Rushing = Cortisol Spike

A rushed, chaotic morning = stress. Stress increases cortisol, which shows up on your skin.

Try this: Add a 3-minute calm ritual — deep breathing, journaling, or stretching before jumping into your day.

5. Not Swapping Out Pillowcases or Towels

Dirty linens = bacteria = breakouts. Make sure you’re changing your pillowcases at least 2× a week and using a clean towel for your face.

Your Hormone-Safe Morning Reset

Here’s your checklist for a skin-loving, hormone-friendly start to the day:

• Hydrate first thing (before caffeine)

• Cleanse with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser

• Use a hormone-safe SPF

• Add a calm ritual to reduce stress

• Avoid touching your face

• Keep linens & towels clean

• Eat something before caffeine

Want More Support?

• Download our FREE Hormone-Safe Morning Checklist

• Shop Flow — your full-body hormone wellness guide

• Explore our digital planners to build your wellness routine

• Join our email list & become an Aléora Babe

Glow naturally. Live fully. Visit www.byaleora.com to shop, read, and reset.