It's not easy to keep track of all the products in your skin care routine. There are so many different products and brands out there, and they each serve a different purpose. I get it, my routine includes a lot of products and it can get a bit overwhelming at times to know when to use what. If products are not being used in the right order, you are likely nulling the effects or not getting the full efficacy. To help solve this problem, I got you covered. I’ve put together an easy-to-follow guide for layering skin care products.
1. Cleanse
This step is the first step in any skin care routine since it gets rid of everything that may have accumulated on your face during the day (dirt, oil, pollutants, makeup). A clean face is key as it helps prepare your skin for subsequent steps in your skin care routine.
Cleanse with a gentle cleanser that is suited to your skin type - whether it's oily, dry, or combination. You should be able to easily find a cleanser that works for you once you know what kind of skin you have.
2. Toner/Essence
After you've cleansed your skin, applying a toner/essence is the next step. Please note this step is optional as many people do not need a toner/essence. A toner/essence is applied after cleansing to remove any remaining dirt and oil from the skin. Toners and essences help to balance the pH of your face and help to give your skin hydration which can be disrupted by products like makeup or facial cleansers. Toners should be applied before a moisturizer and serum because they can actually make those products more effective due to their hydrating features.
3. Serum
A serum is a concentrated formula that contains active ingredients. They should be applied after toner and before moisturizer, as they're meant to be absorbed into the skin.
Serums are often used to target specific skin conditions, such as acne, wrinkles, or dark spots. They're also a great way to help build your skin care routine and introduce new products into your routine.
4. Eye Cream
The skin under our eyes is the thinnest skin on our bodies. It’s very delicate and to take care of your eyes, you’ll want to use a separate eye cream. Apply it to the entire eye area with light pressure—don't rub it in too hard! Use your ring finger to apply since this finger was a light touch. And don’t forget: while we generally think that eyelids are not part of our face (and thus not subject to daily hygiene), they do need some care too!
5. Moisturizer (Emulsion)
To lock in all the goodness you just applied, a moisturizer should be applied after the toner, serum, and eye cream. Moisturizing is a very important step in skin care and should not be skipped. Even if you have oily skin, you will still need a moisturizer and you can look for a light oil-free option is oily is a concern. If not, slather it on thick.
6. Spot Treat
Spot treatment is just that. It is generally applied to certain areas of the face to combat a variety of skin concerns. For example, if you have acne, perhaps you spot treat with an acne cream that should only be applied directly to the acne patches on your face. Same thing with dark spots, you may have a cream to target just the dark spots and you will apply just to those areas.
7. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is an absolute must for every skin care routine for 2 reasons: It protects your skin from the sun's harmful rays, and it keeps you looking younger (anti-aging). The more sun damage your body has, the more likely it is that you will develop wrinkles and age spots.
While it's easy to forget about sunscreen in the winter when there are fewer hours of daylight, UV rays can still reach your skin when it's cold outside because they bounce off snow and ice. To keep yourself protected at all times of the year, apply sunscreen before going out (even if you won't be exposed to direct sunlight). For more info on sunscreen check out my blog on A Guide to Safe Sunscreen.
There you have it. You now know the optimal routine for layering skin care products. Here is to getting the most out of your skincare routine!