We asked skin care experts the question we all have when we buy a new skin care product or add a new step to our routine: What order should I apply my skin care products in, and does it matter? It turns out that it does!
Why Does the Sequence of Your Skin Care Routine Matter?
Applying your skin care products in the correct order, according to Dr. Heather Rogers, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, ensures that your skin receives the maximum advantages of each product.
“The order of application is quite crucial,” Dr. Rogers notes. “The skin’s role is to keep things out, yet many of the skin care products we use contain substances that we don’t want to get in.” Even when correctly made and administered, only a very little amount of these important substances can permeate the skin. You will not get the optimum effects from your skin care programme if you do not use items in the proper order.”
The Fundamentals of Any Skin Care Routine
Aside from the sequence of application, some experts say it’s also crucial to consider how long it takes for your products to seep into your skin. However, because most of us are frequently in a hurry to get somewhere (or hit the sack),
Many products state that you must wait anywhere from five to thirty minutes before proceeding to the following step to guarantee optimal absorption, but who has time for that? “If you make it too complex, you won’t do it,” Dr. Rogers explains. “If you have a lot of processes, wait for a minute to give each product time to react with the skin.” For example, after washing my face and using my serum or evening treatment at night, I just wrap up my day and go to bed. I keep my moisturiser on my nightstand and apply it immediately before bed to give these normally pricey, speciality treatments a little more time to infiltrate the skin before sealing them in with my cream.”
What about another bit of advice? Pay attention to your skin. Remember that you are one-of-a-kind, and no one else has your skin. Whatever the experts advise, it’s critical to identify what works for you and to always be gentle with your skin.
Plus, learn how to layer your skin care products. Why Is Order Important?
So, which product goes on top of which? An easy rule of thumb to remember is to apply your products from thinnest to thickest, or from liquid to cream. “Think thin-to-thick in general, but you also want to start with the products that have the most vital elements to infiltrate the skin (such antioxidants in serums) and conclude with the products that need to sit on top of the skin.”
A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Daytime Skin Care Routine
According to Dr. Rogers, the morning routine is all about protecting yourself from the sun, pollution, and the elements, so save your peel pads and treatment products, like as retinol, for the evening.
STEP 1: USE A CLEANSER
Begin your daily routine by pouring warm water on your face or, if necessary, washing with a mild face cleanser tailored for your skin type.
STEP 2: APPLY TONER
Most people avoid toners, partially because there is a persistent belief that most toners are harsh and hurt the skin. Fortunately, that is no longer the case. While they do not literally “shrink” pores, the new generation of toners can work as a delivery mechanism for antioxidants, vitamin-B derivatives, and even toning acids. Furthermore, each type of toner is designed to address a certain skin condition, so it’s critical to use the proper one for your skin trouble.
STEP 3: USE AN ANTIOXIDANT SERUM
Serums are highly concentrated, nutrient-dense therapies that target specific issues, so keep them as near to the skin as possible. Dr. Rogers suggests antioxidant serums during the daytime, which give a number of advantages ranging from blunting your skin’s inflammatory reaction to neutralising damage from UV rays and environmental contaminants.
STEP 4: APPLY EYE CREAM
Dr. Annie Chiu, a board-certified dermatologist, recommends using an eye cream at least once a night, if not twice a day, beginning in your twenties. “It’s about keeping the eyelid skin healthy and thick.” Improving skin quality in this area early on guarantees that the eyelid skin does not lose flexibility and smoothness later on.”
Consistency is essential for the greatest outcomes. “Over time, regular usage of eye cream will maintain the eyelid skin elastic and can repair or avoid certain fine wrinkles or collagen loss.” Remember that nothing is magical. Dr. Chiu says, “Results do not happen overnight.”
SPOT TREATMENT IS THE FIFTH STEP.
Prescription drugs and acne spot treatments, according to Dr. Diane De Fiori, a dermatologist at Rosacea Treatment Clinic, should be placed as near to the skin as possible to enhance their effectiveness.
Because active chemicals in acne spot treatments vary, check your product box or visit your doctor for the best manner to apply it. According to esthetician and acne specialist Ashley Wiley, prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide, a typical acne spot-treatment component, has a one-to-three-hour working period. “Any cream that comes into touch with it before it has finished its work will most likely impair the active ingredient’s ability to function correctly.”
MOISTURIZER IS THE SIXTH STEP.
Yes, even if you have oily skin, you need use a moisturiser. “Even though your body has its own natural lubricating system comprised of glands that create oil (or sebum) to maintain a protective covering against harsh outside conditions and infections,” explains Dr. Sandra Kopp, a board-certified dermatologist.
Most experts advocate using a moisturiser while the skin is still wet, so the sooner you finish applying your serum and treatment, the sooner you can seal in much-needed moisture with your moisturiser.
SUNSCREEN is the seventh step.
If you use a physical or mineral sunscreen, which works by physically blocking UV radiation, sunscreen should be the last step in your daytime skin care routine. When applying a chemical sunscreen, this procedure becomes more difficult.
“Chemical sunscreens must be absorbed into the skin to be effective,” adds Dr. Rogers, “therefore applying after your moisturiser will delay and inhibit that.” However, if you apply your chemical sunscreen first, your moisturiser will not perform as effectively because the skin is coated with chemical sunscreen.”
