How To Effectively Layer Skincare Products
If you’re getting into skincare and you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got your back! Skincare can be tricky. Buying a ton of skincare products is great, but you’ll need to layer them correctly in order to get the most out of your routine. Read on to figure out the correct steps for layering your products!
1. Cleanser
When starting off with your routine, whether it’s morning or night, you always want to start off with your cleanser. Cleanser removes makeup, oil, dirt, and grime. Even if you generally don’t wear makeup, you’ll want to get the grime and oil off of your face from throughout the day before you start applying products. Additionally, a general rule of thumb for skincare is to start with the lightest product and end with the heaviest, as liquid-based products will absorb into your skin faster.
2. Exfoliate 2-3x/week At Night
You should always keep some form of exfoliation on hand. Whether you choose to use a face mask or scrub, exfoliation should generally come after cleanser. If you use exfoliation after applying all your other products, it’ll likely cause them to come off which defeats the purpose of your routine. Additionally, you should only exfoliate about 2-3 times per week as overuse can dry your skin out, and generally during your night routine so that your skin can reap the most benefits out of it.
3. Toner
After cleansing (or using some sort of exfoliant), toner should come next. Toner is another thin, water-based formula that is going to give your skin the extra preparation it needs to absorb the products that follow. Toner won’t strip your skin of any natural moisture, making it great for any sensitive skin type. Rather than using your fingertips, it’s good to dab your toner onto a cotton pad then apply it to your face. Toner will also remove any of the extra grime that your moisturizer may have missed.
4. Serum
Serum is the fun part! Serums consist of active ingredients that will penetrate deep into your pores and really do the work to address skin concerns. With serums, you can buy any product that will cater to the imperfections of your skin and what you want to focus on. Here is a general list of serums and what they’ll do for your skin:
- Retinol: Treats hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and acting. This is a great anti-aging serum.
- Vitamin C: Brightens skin tone, protects skin from pigmentation, hydrates. Specifically good to use in the morning.
- Salicylic Acid: Clears pores, exfoliates skin. Good for oily and acne-prone skin types.
- Lactic Acid: Exfoliates skin, good for cell turnover.
- Glycolic Acid: Exfoliates skin. Treats fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates skin. Great for dry skin types.
- Niacinamide: Treats acne, protects skin from environmental toxins. Great for all skin types.
Those are just a few! The list of serums is truly endless. When it comes to serums, there are certain types that you can combine in one sitting, including vitamin c and glycolic acid, salicylic acid and retinol, retinol and niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. There are many others you can combine as well, but it’s important to do your research beforehand to ensure that you aren’t cancelling out any products. For example, you shouldn’t combine niacinamide and vitamin c, retinol and vitamin c, or glycolic acid and vitamin c. Doing so can cause extreme dryness and irritation, so be sure to alternate nights when it comes to certain serums. Remember, Google is your best friend!
5. Eye Cream
Eye cream has a thicker consistency, so it should always come after serums. Applying eye cream before moisturizer is a good idea because it will absorb faster, and moisturizer will do the work to lock everything in place. Eye cream is going to help you darken those under-eye bags and provide your skin with anti-aging effects.
6. Acne Spot Treatment
The placement of acne spot treatment in your routine depends on the type of acne you’re facing. If you just have some of those annoying red spots on your face, go ahead and put it on before your moisturizer. However, if your acne is dry, irritated, or peeling, apply a little bit of moisturizer before using your spot treatment to prevent any further drying. Additionally, while you can apply acne spot treatment in the morning, it is generally better to use it at night because your skin treatments are going to work the hardest while you’re sleeping.
7. Moisturizer
Moisturizer is a necessity for both morning and night, as it will lock all your previous skincare products into place as well as keep your face moisturized. That way, your skin won’t dry out after applying the intense treatments you may have used beforehand. Always, always, always use your moisturizer! You won’t want to skip out on this step.
8. Face Oil
Face oil isn’t entirely necessary to use, but if your skin is super prone to dryness, oil will provide your skin with the extra moisture it needs after applying your other products. Plus, face oil is gonna make your skin super smooth and silky, giving you the soft finish that you need! Consider adding face oil to your routine if you’ve got irritating, stubborn skin.
9. Sunscreen – Mornings Only
ALWAYS apply sunscreen as the very last step in your skincare routine every morning. It doesn’t matter if the clouds are out that day; sunscreen is ultimately going to keep your skin young and fresh, protecting your skin from any harmful UV rays as well as keeping the other products you’ve applied locked in. People often neglect to use sunscreen, and if that’s the case, this is your wake-up call! Sunscreen will work wonders on your skin, so be sure to start using it early so your skin can retain that young look.
10. Jade Roll Everything In Place
After applying your skincare products, consider using a jade roller! Massaging your skin with a jade roller will not only help you absorb each product, but it will also work to reduce puffiness by stimulating circulation and draining the fluids from your lymph nodes. The benefits of a jade roller are endless.
Which skincare product do you swear by? Share with us in the comments below!
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