How to Layer Skincare products?
Are you confused about how to layer skincare products or which order they should go in? Don’t be we were to (for a long time). We want you to fall in love with your skincare routine, it can be fun. Take full advantage of the vast array that’s on offer in this modern world and find your own true skin heroes.
With skincare routines having increasingly more and more steps, we understand it can be confusing to know what goes where, when, and how! We have created this simple guide to show you how to layer skincare products so that you will have a beautiful and glowing complexion day and night.
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How to layer Skincare products
Cleanser
The first, and probably the most important, is to cleanse. The need for face wipes is long gone, cleansers have been dramatically developed over the years and now come in all shapes and sizes, from gels to balms, milks to oils and everything in between. This sumptuous selection is wonderful news for all skin types, allowing everyone the opportunity to select a cleanser that is both effective and beneficial.
Using a cleanser works to rapidly remove dirt and build-up so that you can say hello to a vibrant, clean complexion. They aim to eliminate makeup and impurities from the surface of your skin to purify and create a fresh base for the rest of your skincare steps.
Here are our suggestions:
- Dry skin – Balms and oils
- Sensitive skin – Milk
- Oily skin – Gels
- Normal skin – Creams
When shopping for your perfect cleanser, it’s always important to check out the descriptions for the key ingredients and intentions of the individual product. This will give you a clear idea of what skin type and concern it is created for so that you can decide if it’s a good choice for your needs.
We’d also like to recommend double cleansing; when you have worn makeup, sometimes one cleanse isn’t enough. Oil or balm cleansers work effectively to break down and take the main layer of makeup off, it’s best to follow with a gel or foam to go the extra mile and thoroughly clean your epidermis. Without this, product residues may be left on the skin which can cause harm and breakouts. So make sure to get yourself a double-cleanse!
Toner
A more modern addition to the skincare routine, this one causes a lot of confusion and tends to be the step that people often miss out on. A toner can help to reduce pore size by working to tighten the gaps between skin cells, blocking environmental impurities and balancing the skin’s pH levels. The result? Skin is purified and better able to absorb moisture and other beneficial ingredients from the rest of your skincare routine!
The variety within the toner market is huge, with many of them addressing common concerns and offering benefits such as anti-ageing, brightening, hydrating, and balancing. Tonics, micellar waters, and face mists also come into the toner category.
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Eye Cream
The skin around our eyes can be up to 10 times thinner than the rest of our face, as well as lacking in essential oil glands so it is important to use a specialist eye treatment that contains a powerhouse of ingredients that work well in synergy.
There is a debate on where in the routine your eye product should go. Realistically it can go after before your serum, but the consensus is that to make the best use of the beneficial ingredients, it should be used early in the routine right after cleansing or before your serum. Other advice suggests it’s easier to put your serum on before the eye treatment. Either way, we think it works just fine.
Serum
Using a facial serum allows a very high concentration of active ingredients to penetrate through to the deepest layers of your skin, maximising hydration, nourishment, and repair. Serums usually have a silky, lightweight formulation that utilises the immense benefits of the active ingredients with the intention of reviving and boosting your skin!
Serums tend to follow the trends of popular ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, Niacinamide and Caffeine. These hero ingredients are more effective in higher percentages which are why they work perfectly in concentrated serums.
Moisturiser
Moisturisers have also evolved hugely over the years. They are no longer a one-size-fits-all! Navigating through the moisturiser selection alone can be a challenge, let’s break it down to start:
General – These are moisturisers suitable for day and night use, usually very lightweight but can still include a lot of key ingredients to target any specific concerns or desires you have.
Day – A day moisturiser should be lightweight but effective; offering a high level of hydration whilst incorporating ingredients that can help form a protective barrier to keep daily aggressors at bay.
Night – It is said that skin cells do most of their repair work overnight, so a night moisturiser is designed to encourage maximum absorption and enhance the skin barrier whilst you sleep, contributing to ultimate cell renewal. Usually rich in texture and full of active ingredients.
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SPF
THE BIGGIE! SPF really should be an everyday part of your routine, come rain or shine. Overexposure to the sun without protection is one of the biggest causes of skin damage and rapid ageing, and the worst part is that you probably won’t notice it until it’s too late. But don’t panic! Fear not friends, the answer literally is SPF. The higher the factor the better, especially for your face which has super thin skin compared to the rest of your body.
UV rays are constantly emitting, they can come through the clouds and they can penetrate glass so you’re always at risk of exposure. SPF’s have come so far in recent years and they aren’t the stodgy, thick and bright white emulsions we once knew. You can find them in lightweight gels, clear sprays, light milky textures and so much more so there’s no excuse not to go on the hunt for your perfect partner.
SPF should be a skincare staple and they are typically created as standalone products. However, it’s common now for SPF products to be dual-purpose and function as a moisturiser too.
How to layer skincare products – Optional (but exceptional!) extras
Having one of each would be a little bit crazy (although we certainly wouldn’t judge!) so you can decide what goes best with your routine. To keep your product selection to a minimum or if you’re just starting out on your skincare discovery journey, go for a general moisturiser that can be used both day and night. If you’re super into your skincare and are a ‘the more products the better’ kind of person, opt for a separate day and night. This is also a good option for those wanting to tackle several skin concerns at once.
Exfoliator
If you’re not using an exfoliator weekly, you’re missing a trick in your skincare game. Using an exfoliator works to rejuvenate and brighten by gently sloughing away dead skin cells with the aim of revealing cleaner, clearer skin. It also improves absorption of your active skincare so you can expect healthy glowing skin and all the compliments!
Use 2-3 times a week, directly after cleansing and feel how perfectly the rest of your skincare glides on.
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Treatment
Treatments are usually directed for use 2-3 times a week and are concentrated ways of targeting issues such as wrinkles, breakouts, and hyperpigmentation. The wonder of products like this is that they are intensely potent with high levels of active ingredients such as Retinol, Tranexamic acid and Salicylic acid. The reason they’re a treatment and not a regular part of your routine is that the ingredients are powerful and everyday use can sometimes cause irritations. So choose wisely and introduce yourself slowly!
Facial Oil
Facial Oils are an adjustable part of skincare routines, they can be used as needed or every day depending on what you require. They can also come first or last in the routine, so they’re hugely flexible. The misconception is that they can’t be used for oily skin because it feels counterintuitive, but this isn’t true. However, it is a case of researching and choosing the one that will work for you because different formulas are directed for unique issues.
Non-comedogenic varieties like Rosehip can actually work to regulate sebum production and tocopherols such as Vitamin E are an excellent, natural way to balance skin tone, combat dark spots and increase cell healing.
Most recommendations suggest using a facial oil on clean skin after water-based products like serums but before moisturisers. However, there is evidence to show that using a facial oil last helps the skin retain moisture by trapping in the water molecules, avoiding trans-epidermal water loss.
Mask
Adding a face mask into your routine will help target specific skin concerns in the most concentrated and effective way Using a face mask 2 – 3 times a week is known to dramatically improve the feel and appearance of your complexion as well as offering enjoyable moments of self-care.
Mask types: Clay, Cream, Gel, Peel-off, Mud and Sheet
As with all the other products, the market is abundant with face mask variations in terms of ingredients and benefits, it’s best to read the product descriptions to make sure you’re choosing one best suited to your skin type and skin goals.
Author: Chelsea Cook
