How to layer up your skincare routine
Beauty

How to layer up your skincare routine

So you have all these new skincare products yet have no clue what to use first. Does the serum come before the toner? Should you apply your eye cream before your moisturizer? Order of application is extremely important as layering products in the correct order ensures that your skin receives the full benefits of each product.

The general rule is to start from the lightest consistency to the heaviest. However, when your skincare involves several steps with some products only used in the morning and others only at night, it may get a bit tricky. But don’t worry, we’re here to help!

Morning routine:

In the morning it’s all about protection from the sun and pollution.

  • Cleanser (a gentle cleanser designed for your skin type)
  • Toner (hydrating toner to help replenish any water your skin barrier lost when you washed and dried your face
  • Serum (there are so many options, but I would recommend using antioxidants such as Vitamin C during the day)
  • Eye cream (not necessary but helps protect the delicate area of the skin, reduce puffiness and dark circles)
  • Moisturizer (everyone needs a moisturizer even those with oily skin)
  • Sunscreen (the last step of the routine to ensure that your skin is protected from both harmful UVA and UVB rays)

Nighttime Routine:

Because our skin naturally repairs itself at night, our nighttime routine should be all about treatment and giving the skin what it needs.

  • Oil/balm cleanser (to remove make-up, sunscreen and excess oil)
  • Water-based cleanser (go in with your water cleanser to remove dirt, sweat and other impurities that the oil cleanser may not have been able to pick up)
  • This is where you would apply a wash off facemask (1-2 times a week depending on the mask)
  • Toner (could be a hydrating or exfoliating toner depending on your skincare needs)
  • Essence
  • Sheet mask (you may choose to include a sheet mask (1-3 times a week or as preferred)
  • Serums: targeted to specific skin concerns (e.g. retinol, exfoliative treatments such as AHA’s or BHA’s, Hyaluronic acid)  

Note: *When using a sheet mask you could choose to skip the serum.

  • Eye cream/ eye patches
  • Moisturizer (helps lock in all the products applied before)
  • Face oil  (they seal in all the ingredients and moisture you just applied to your face to keep them from evaporating as quickly)