February 06, 2022

Skincare Layering

Did you know there is a correct order to put your skincare products on? Well there is and if you mix up the order, you actually might make your products not work effectively.

With so many skincare options, it might be confusing when determining how to layer your products to maximize their performance. When is it best to apply serums? What about oils? Here is a guide to help you layer your skincare by product in proper order so you can have an effective and simple skincare routine.

LAYERING

Cleanser: The first step to every skincare routine is to wash your face. Dampen face and then massage your cleanser into the skin, then rinse. Gently pat dry. Ridding your skin of makeup, dirt, and other impurities ensures a clean canvas for the rest of your skincare products to deeply penetrate and work their magic. This initial ritual is critical for your face routine order of layering.

Exfoliators: (Do this step only 1-2 times a week) Exfoliators are meant to gently exfoliate and boost luminosity of skin, improve its appearance and encourages circulation. But people should take care when exfoliating their face as they can easily damage or irritate their skin. When using a chemical exfoliator (mask/peel) or a scrub, a person should use small, circular motions when applying the product. When a person uses a physical exfoliator, such as a sponge or washcloth, they should use short, light strokes when exfoliating.

A person should also ensure that they are not exfoliating if they have wounds, open cuts, or sunburn on their skin.

Toner: While this is a must in our skincare routine order, using toner comes down to personal preference. Toners were created to help return the skin’s pH after it became too basic from harsh soaps. While they don’t physically “shrink” pores, the new breed of toners can serve multiple purposes, like act as a delivery system for antioxidants, vitamin-B derivatives and even toning acids. You’ll want to apply the toner on a reusable cotton pad and gently wipe over a freshly cleansed face for perfectly primed skin.

Serums: Serums are super-concentrated, nutrient-dense treatments that address specific concerns, so it’s best to keep them as close to the skin as possible. Meant to deliver an added dose of hydration and supplement skin with nutrients that penetrate deep, there are countless different iterations of face serums including antioxidant-rich formulas, acid-based blends, and delicate eye serums. All of which serve a distinct purpose aimed at amplifying skin’s texture and tone. Serums should be applied to cleansed skin underneath any oils or moisturizers.

Dispense between 4-5 drops into the palm of your hand, making sure the pipet doesn’t touch your skin as this can transfer bacteria and cause spots. Without rubbing the formula into your hands, place your fingers into the serum and pat it onto your skin. The dry downtime (or time you should expect to wait until the serum is dry enough to apply subsequent products) differs, but 30-60 seconds is a safe rule of thumb.

Eye Cream: It is vital to apply an eye cream as it maintains the health and thickness of the eyelid skin. Improving the skin quality in this area ensures that the eyelid skin does not easily lose laxity and its smooth appearance. For best results, regular use of eye cream will keep the eyelid skin elastic and can improve or prevent against some fine lines or collagen loss. You can further protect the delicate skin around your eyes by choosing an eye cream with SPF or applying sunscreen every day. Remember to wear sunglasses when outside to protect against UV-light damage and lines that can creep up around the corners of your eyes from squinting.

When it comes to eye cream, a little goes a long way. If you apply too much, it can potentially cause congestion or contribute to milia in the area. Pick up a pea-sized amount of eye cream (for each eye) on your ring finger and dot it on around the orbital bone, from the inner to the outer corners of your eye area. It’s also important to be careful with how you touch this sensitive skin. Rubbing in the eye cream may be fast and easy, but it can actually be too harsh for the sensitive area. Because of how delicate the skin around your eyes is, you’ll be better off applying eye cream as gently as possible. After you’ve dotted it on, use the pad of your finger to pat, rather than rub, the eye cream to help it absorb.

Spot Treatment: If you use either prescription medications or acne spot treatments, they need to be applied as close to the skin as possible to maximize their benefits.

As acne spot treatments differ in active ingredients, check your product packaging or consult your dermatologist for the best way to apply it. Prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide, a common acne spot-treatment ingredient, has a one-to-three-hour working time. Any cream that comes in contact with it before it has completed its work will likely inhibit the active ingredient from working properly.

Remember that acne spot treatments can dry out your skin, so always apply only on spots where you need it.

Moisturizer: Moisturizing your face and neck, is absolutely essential for getting your best skin and, therefore, a critical habit in skincare routine steps. It is an important step even if you have oily skin. This step seals in all of your other products while locking in moisture for a smooth and hydrating layer. Most experts recommend that the best time to apply a moisturizer is while the skin is still damp, so the sooner you go through applying your serum and treatment, the sooner you’re able to lock in much-needed hydration with your moisturizer.

If you’re using an acne spot treatment, you may want to skip those areas when applying your moisturizer to make sure the ingredients in it won’t interfere with the active ingredients in your spot treatment.

The amount of moisturizer to use varies by product. In general, thinner moisturizers can be applied more generously since your face absorbs them quickly. If you’re using a really thick moisturizer, a small dollop should do the trick. If you aren't sure where to start, go with an almond-sized amount of product.

Dab a small amount of the moisturizer on different areas of your face. Use clean fingertips to apply small dabs of the moisturizer onto key dry areas like your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. This helps to distribute the product evenly all over your face. Don't forget your neck, as it has delicate skin that is prone to sagging, wrinkles and deep lines.

Face Oil: Face oils are occlusive, meaning they seal in all the ingredients and moisture you just applied to your face to keep them from evaporating as quickly. Just make sure to always,alwaysapply your oils last. Oils can easily penetrate moisturizers, serums, and treatments, but no products can penetrate an oil, which means they need to be applied last. Also oils are not just for dry skin—certain oils, like rose-hip and jojoba, can decrease excess oil in acne-prone skin, while marula and aloe oils can soothe sensitive, easily irritated skin.

Apply four to five drops of oil into your palms, rub together to warm the product and pat it into the skin. Smoothly press the oil onto your face and neck, using the whole surface of your hands. Let it sit for a few minutes before moving onto sunscreen.

Sunscreen: So, this should technically be the last step of your morning skincare routine. Applying sunscreen to your skin, whether it’s in your makeup, moisturizer, or a spray bottle in your cabinet, is without a doubt the most important of all of your skincare steps. Protecting your face from harmful UV rays will prevent premature aging and harsh sun exposure. This is one skincare step you should never skip, it’s this one.

You should apply two fingers work (use your index and pointer fingers) to your face and neck.

Retinols / Bakuchiol: Retinoids—the general term for all vitamin A derivatives, including retinol and bakuchiol. They sink into your skin to speed up cell turnover, causing your body to churn out fresher, smoother, less wrinkled skin over time. Good things take time, though, so remember that retinoids take four to six months of consistent use to give you results.

But just because it might take half a year to see your wrinkles smooth out doesn’t mean you won’t see more immediate results in other ways. Retinoids trigger collagen production and cellular exfoliation, which means they’ll also fade dark spots, smooth scars, clear pores, prevent breakouts, and brighten skin. Basically, retinoids are the closest thing to magic that dermatologists have.

If you’re new to retinoids, make sure to start slow to mitigate the initial adjustment period of flakes and sensitivity.

Apply a pea-size drop to your entire face one night a week for one week, then two nights a week for two weeks, then three nights a week for three weeks, and then every other night indefinitely.

You’re already using a night cream with retinoids, since doubling up won’t make the anti-aging results more effective—it’ll just cause inflammation. And if you do have extra-sensitive skin, apply a layer of moisturizer both 10 minutes before and after applying your retinol to reduce irritation without totally diluting the treatment. Basically, sandwich your face in moisture. If using face oil, put it on as the last layer.

There you have it. Now you can be sure that your beloved skincare products are being layered properly for an optimized morning or night skincare routine so you can put your best skin forward, always.

cleanser
exfoliant
eye cream
face oil
layering
moisturizer
retinoids
serums
skincare
spot treatment
sunscreen
toner

Skincare Layering

LAYERING

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