Skincare

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

Skin Cycling Schedule

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.

I turned 46 a few months ago and have been slowly adjusting my makeup routine to accommodate my changing skin. From fine lines, to texture to being more dry overall, I’ve been on a hunt for products that suit mature skin types. Years ago, this was not an option since most beauty brands marketed primarily to a younger demographic. In the past few years, there has been a shift in the beauty industry (slow but it’s there!) to cater more to an older demographic. Some brands offer products that suit mature skin types but I was so excited to see an entire beauty brand dedicated to women over 40, Sarah Creal Beauty. The formulations are made with mature skin concerns in mind and help to solve problems that younger skin types may not face. That doesn’t mean that younger women can’t use the line because the products are truly remarkable for any age range, but it’s nice to have a luxury beauty brand that understands what older skin needs. I have enjoyed quite a few products from Sarah Creal Beauty and wanted to publish a full brand review that I can update over time with new launches.

Sarah Creal Beauty Reviews

Face Flex Concealer & Complexion Enhancer

The Face Flex Concealer and Complexion Enhancer is designed to be a multi-purpose complexion product that moves with your face throughout the day without creasing or fading for up to 12 hours. It conceals, corrects and adds just enough coverage. I personally use it only as a concealer but it can easily be dabbed all over the face and blended out as a light foundation or complexion enhancer. This is creamy and smooth perfection!!! Some concealers claim to be creamy and hydrating but still dry down and make my under eye area look cakey. This does not at all. It’s super blendable but does set after a few minutes. It’s moisturizing and slightly blurring.

The Face Flex Concealer gives medium coverage though can easily be sheered out by applying a smaller amount. For me, it is the perfect amount of coverage and manages to look absolutely flawless on the skin. It gives a nice natural finish that mimics the look of real skin. It’s truly beautiful. You can read my full review here.

No Further Questions High Glide Peptide Lip Gloss

I love almost everything I’ve tried from Sarah Creal Beauty but these glosses may be one of my top picks. The formula is creamy and intensely nourishing while the pigment is just opaque enough to give the perfect amount of color. They are designed to be slightly plumping but with no tingling or stinging. The finish is very glossy and reflective though doesn’t move around throughout the day settling into lines or bleeding past my lip line. My two most worn shades are Deal With It and Calm Down.

Just Like Paradise 12Hr Peptide Sculpting Cream Bronzer

All of the color products in this line are all skincare/makeup hybrids which is what makes them so perfect for mature skin types. This cream bronzer is a smooth, hydrating formula that still manages to be extremely long-wearing and highly pigmented. Because the formula is so easy to blend, it’s pretty foolproof to work with. I always prefer starting with a small amount and building up if needed but if I accidentally apply too much, I can easily sheer it out. There are only three shades currently in the range so hopefully they expand it more in the future but I chose Light Golden Bronze for my fair skin. It’s a tad warm in tone while shade 2.0 is more neutral so I may end up picking that shade up as well because I love this formula so much.

Today’s Highlighters 12 hr Peptide Balm Luminizer

This luminizer is the answer to mature skin’s needs when wanting a highlighter that won’t emphasize texture or fine lines. This makeup/skincare hybrid is a balm texture that melts into the skin leaving a radiant glow that looks more like fresh skin than makeup. I love to warm this up between my fingers and dab it on to the high points of my cheekbones to give a subtle luminous look. Though the texture is extremely hydrating, it doesn’t stay tacky or sticky on the skin and eventually dries down leaving a gorgeous sheen to the cheeks. As with the cream bronzer, there are only three shades in the range so hopefully they begin to expand that more in the future.

Moisture Source

This is the only skincare product I have tried from Sarah Creal but it is a best seller for good reason. It’s one of the most hydrating and plumping essences I’ve ever tried. An essence is heavier than traditional toners so it is best used after you have cleansed/toned, but before you apply your serums. Skip a cotton pad and pour the essence into the palm of your hands so you can press it gently into the skin. It’s a bi-phase formula so be sure to shake it up before you apply. On the Sarah Creal website, it’s described as a liquid moisturizer which is a great description. You could even use it as a serum in your skincare routine if you are in need of added moisture. I use it both morning/night and find that it helps my skin hold onto moisture longer throughout the day. My skin is less dehydrated at the end of the day when I use this regularly in my morning routine. For my nighttime routine, I find it adds another layer of hydration that helps my skin stay balanced.

Speak For Yourself Hydrating Lipstick

As far as lipsticks go, this is a wonderfully opaque yet intensely hydrating formula. Because it is formulated with ingredients to help nourish, I find that it doesn’t emphasize lip lines and creates a smoother look to the lips. It’s not as long-wearing as a traditional matte or longwear formula which can be very drying to the lips so that is a tradeoff with this formula. One of my favorite features of this lipstick is that it’s a satin finish so there is not too much shine but not too dry either. It manages to strike the perfect balance.

Lip Grip Line Filler

This is one of the few products I’ve tried from the lip that was nice but not a necessity for me. It’s a prime for the lips designed to help smooth, prep and blur any lines so your lipstick applies more even and smooth. It’s a soft matte finish which allows for a great base to layer on any lip color. For me, this didn’t help extend the wear of my lip products of the day so it felt a bit unnecessary.