My favorite form of self care is my skincare routine. I love a short routine and I love a long routine – it’s just the act of pampering my skin that I really enjoy. My morning and evening skincare routines are my favorite times of the day. I really prioritize these moments and will carve out time every day to do them. Especially as I get older, I don’t apologize for setting aside time to do the things that I enjoy. Self care can look different for everyone but if you love a good skincare routine, this is a great post to bookmark and refer back to.
Doing a skincare ritual is one of the best ways to show love to yourself while taking care of your skin. But it’s important that if you are doing a skincare routine each day, you are applying the products in the correct order. Products need to be applied properly to allow for optimal absorption which will ensure you get the best benefits out of each product. Multi-step routines can be confusing, especially for those new to skincare, and so today I am sharing a guide on how to layer skincare products for the best results.
For more skincare tips, here are some posts to not to miss:
Best Skincare Products For Mature Skin
How To Layer Skin Care Products
While I will cover every skincare category, don’t feel like you have to be using a product from each one of them. It’s important to find a routine that works for your lifestyle and your skin’s needs. This guide will walk you through step by step in order so you are getting the most out of your products.
How Many Skincare Products Can You Layer?
There isn’t a set limit of how many skincare products you can layer in one routine. Everyone’s needs are different so it’s best to go with what works for your particular skin type and lifestyle. Obviously layering too many products can become redundant and possibly counterproductive but there really is no exact number you should stay under. Some skincare routines can be three steps while others will have a 12 step routine. It is important to note that the more steps a skincare routine has does not necessarily make it better or more effective. It’s about using the products that will target your skin’s concerns and using them in the correct way.
How To Layer Skincare Products
Layer Thinnest to Thickest
Skincare products should be applied based on their texture. Thinnest products should be applied first followed by thicker formulas after. If you are applying multiple serums, try to determine which serum is the most lightweight and apply that first. If they are all the same consistency, a good rule of thumb is to apply your active ingredients (retinol, acids, etc) first then follow it up with any hydrating or soothing serums (such as a hylauronic acid based product). This theory also applies if you want to apply different moisturizers – go from lightest to heaviest.
Give the Product Time to Absorb
If you have the time, it’s best to let products absorb a bit before applying your next step. Try to wait at least 30 seconds to 1 minute in between each step of your skincare routine.
Always Cleanse First
Before applying any products, your skin must be fully cleansed. Applying skincare products on top of makeup or dirt/grime from the day will affect their efficacy.
SPF Is Always Last
Sunscreen should only be applied during the day. But it should always be your final step in your morning skincare routine.
Identify Morning and Evening Products
Some products are best used at certain times of the day so be sure to read the instructions on all your products.
What Is the Correct Order of Layering Skincare Products?
Step 1 – Cleanse
I cleanse both morning and night so this is always my first step. Many people only cleanse at night, but I prefer to do am and pm. In the morning I like to use a gel or milk cleanser, while in the evening I will do an oil/balm as my first cleanse and then a milk or gel as a second cleanse. I want to make sure my skin is clean from all the makeup.
Here are my favorite cleansers that I like to use as my first cleanse: Elemis Cleansing Balm, TirTir Enzyme Cleansing Balm and Then I Met You Cleansing Balm
Here are my favorite cleansers that I like to use as my second cleanse: OneSkin Prep Cleanser (code: MAREE15), Dieux Baptism Gel Cleanser, Experiment Beauty Plasma Wash (code: MAREE15)
Step 2 – Tone
I think of toning as the last step of my cleansing routine and do it both morning and evening. For me, I find that toners help to balance my skin and depending on the type I am using, can give a slight exfoliation as well. In the morning, I like to use a hydrating toner. And in the evening I will alternate between a hydrating toner, peel pads or an exfoliating toner.
Here are a few of my most used chemical exfoliants: YSE Beauty Exfoliating Pads (discount code: MAREE15), Pixi Glow Tonic
Step 2.5 – Face Mask
I call this step 2.5 because I don’t mask every night. But when I do it will happen before I apply my essence. Now depending on the mask that I am doing, I will tone before or after. If it’s a hydrating mask, I will typically tone before because I want to leave whatever moisture from the mask may be left on my skin. If it’s an exfoliating or clarifying mask, I will tone after.
Here are 4 of my regularly used masks: Colleen Rothschild Intense Hydrating Mask, Biodance Collagen Sheet Masks, Clarins Cryo-Flash Mask and UBeauty Resurfacing Peel (discount code: MAREE20)
Step 3 – Essence
Not everyone may feel the need to use an essence and it’s not an essential step like cleansing, but I enjoy adding one into my routine. Essences are the beginning part of my skincare routine so I will always apply them first before any serums/moisturizers. Most essences are designed to help add in moisture. In some cases brighten and slightly retexturize and can boost the benefits of all the products you apply after. I prefer to pour the essence into my hands and pat it into the skin. If you are skin flooding (read more about that here), I would do my skin flooding products before my essence.
Here is an essence I am loving right now: Sarah Creal Beauty Moisture Source
Step 4 – Eye Cream
I prefer to apply my eye cream next before any serums or moisturizers so I can ensure it is getting on my bare skin. Sometimes when I apply my serums/moisturizers/face oils, some could get under my eyes and my eye cream may end up sitting on top of it which could possibly decrease the efficacy.
Here are two of my most worn eye creams: Dieux Auracle Eye Gel and OneSkin OS-01 Eye Supplement (discount code: MAREE15)
Step 5 – Serum
When it comes to serums and moisturizers, the key is applying thinnest to thickest. Many people ask where a retinol would fall in this sequence. If my retinol is a serum, then it would get applied in this step. If my retinol is a cream, I would apply it after a serum (if I am skipping a serum that night, then I will simply apply the retinol cream after my eye cream).
Here are some recommendations of my favorite serums that I always repurchase: Mother Science Molecular Hero Serum (discount code: MAREESYE), Naturium Barrier Bounce, Educated Mess Golden Hour (discount code: MAREE15) and Educated Mess Freeze Frame (discount code: MAREE15)
Step 6 – Moisturizer
This is often my last step at night. In the morning, I don’t always apply a moisturizer if my sunscreen is creamy and emollient enough to act as my moisturizer.
Here are some of my most used moisturizers: Dieux Instant Angel, Educated Mess Sake Bomb (discount code: MAREE15), Experiment Beauty Molecular Mesh (discount code: MAREE15)
Step 7 – Face Oil
I prefer to apply my face oil last in my routine, and typically only apply it in the evening. I normally will apply either a moisturizer or a face oil but rarely both.
Step 8 – Sunscreen
This is for the morning only, sunscreen is always my last step before applying my makeup.
Here are my favorite sunscreens to wear daily: Versed Good Defense SPF, Bloomeffects Tulip Dew Sunscreen (discount code: Maree), Credo Beauty Solar Limits SPF (discount code: 10MAREE)
How Long To Wait To Layer Skincare Products
There is no exact rule for how long you should wait in between products. So you should do what’s best for your personal lifestyle. If you do have the time to allow the product to absorb fully, it’s great to wait 30 seconds – 1 minute in between each product.
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