There’s no perfect skincare routine if you want to go for the twelve-step skincare routine; go ahead if it works for you. If you are a minimalist and only have a few steps in your skincare routine, and it works, then there is nothing wrong with that as well.
However, the method you use to layer your skincare is essential and significantly impacts your skincare product’s efficacy. If you are using products to tackle specific issues in your skin, then how you layer is vital in making sure they work.
No one wants to spend money on skincare, and then they don’t work. If you’ve ever bought face oil or a tub of tretinoin and wondered at what step in the skincare routine you should apply them, read on to find out. This article explains the correct order of layering skincare products to ensure their effectiveness.
1. Makeup remover
Removing your makeup is done at night only after a long day spent wearing makeup. Unless you went to bed without removing your makeup which is highly not recommended, there is no need to do this step in your morning routine. Removing makeup from your face should always be the first step in your nighttime skincare routine.
Find products that will break down and melt away all your makeup, such as mascara and matte lipstick. A great example is micellar water, which removes all makeup but is still gentle on your skin. You can also double cleanse by using a cleansing oil to remove makeup and follow up with the micellar water.
2. Cleanser
Cleansing your face is a step that should be included in your morning and night skincare routine.
After removing your makeup, next is washing your face using a gentle cleanser. Cleansers effectively eliminate bacteria, oils, dirt, pollutants, and dead skin cells that have accumulated on your skin throughout the day.
This step is also essential once you wake up to prepare your face to absorb the products and active ingredients you will be using in the morning.
There are numerous brands of cleansers available in the market today, but the one you choose will depend on your skin type. Ensure you pay attention to the ingredients list on your cleanser. Avoid cleansers with sulfates because they are harsh and will strip your skin of moisture and natural oils, leaving it dry, irritable, and tight.
If you have normal or dry skin, it’s best to go for a cleanser with hydrating ingredients such as peptides. If you have combination, acne-prone, or oily skin, you should find a cleanser with mild exfoliating properties such as salicylic acid, which effectively clears dead cells that may clog your pores, causing breakouts. If you have active acne, you can also go for a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide, which targets bacteria in the acne.
3. Toner or essence
The next step after cleansing is applying your toner or essence. This step is essential in both your morning and night skincare routine.
Toner and essence are essential in your skincare routine because it preps your skin to absorb any active ingredients you will be using. However, ensure you choose a toner or essence depending on your skin type.
In the past, people used toners to balance their skin’s PH after using soap cleansers. Nowadays, toners are used with active ingredients such as chemical exfoliants to target skin issues. For example, a glycolic acid toner is perfect for oily skin and will help eliminate dead skin cells faster for clearer and glowing skin. Or you can use a hydrating toner in case you have dry skin.
Essences, on the other hand, are more hydrating. Look for essences with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which will hydrate your skin, making it look plumper and seal in moisture in your skincare routine.
4. Eye cream
Apply eye cream during your morning and night skincare routine. After makeup removal, cleansing, and toner, the next step is applying eye cream.
Eye creams are great for targeting fine lines, crow’s feet, dark eye circles, and puffiness. For the best results, look for eye creams with actives such as retinol or peptides that are best for fighting wrinkles and de-puffing your eyes.
Apply your eye cream using your ring finger to avoid tugging at the skin around your eye area. Ensure you apply around the entire eye area, not just under the eyes.
5. Serums
Use your serums in your morning and nighttime routine. This is the stage where you will apply the bulk of actives on your skin. Serums contain higher concentrations of active ingredients and are an essential part of your skincare routine.
While using serums in your night and day routine, you shouldn’t use the same serum. During the day, you can apply a serum like Vitamin C rich in antioxidants to protect your skin from external radicals. You can use peptide serums rich in growth elements to repair your skin at night.
6. Retinol
Use retinol in your nighttime routine. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative and is perfect for slowing down the anti-aging process. It targets wrinkles and fine lines because it increases cell turnover and collagen production in your skin.
For beginners, use retinol every other night until you build tolerance.
7. Moisturizer
Best applied morning and night after everything else because they hydrate and seal in the ingredients you had earlier used. Look for moisturizers with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which seal the outer layers of skin and pull in water for hydration.
8. Facial oil
Facial oil is applied as the last step in your night routine and the second last step before sunscreen in your morning routine. This is because facial oils are occlusive, which means they help trap moisture in your skin.
9. Sunscreen
This is the last step in your morning skincare routine. You should apply sunscreen every day to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Sunscreen goes after facial oil to be more effective; you wouldn’t want to apply anything after sunscreen to prevent it from working.
Keep being AllDayChic!
