Introduction
With so many different cosmetic products on the market it can be overwhelming to understand how to correctly layer your skin care. With the addition of how many ingredients there are available on the market many consumers are concerned about how these interact with each other, particularly when it comes to serums with actives. In this blog we will be taking a look into all of this and answering the questions that commonly arise on this topic as well as proving some skin cares do’s and dont’s.
Morning routine
Cleanse
For the first part of your morning routine I would recommend using a water based cleanser this will help wash away any excess greasiness from your night time routine and leave you with a fresh base to begin layering your skin care. Depending on your skin type it may be a good idea to repeat this process twice.
2. Toner
For the second step of your morning routine you can follow up your cleanse with a toner. One primary function that toners perform is to restore the skins pH after cleansing. This helps maintain a healthy skin barrier preventing dryness and
irritation. Even after thorough cleansing, some impurities may still linger, toners act as a final step to ensure the skin is thoroughly clean.
3. Serum
Your face is now prepped and ready for the third step which involves using a serum. Serums are water based formulas packed with actives, these help address particular skin concerns and vary person to person depending on their specific skin goals. There are different types of serums such as vitamin c serums, retinol serums such as alpha arbutin and various AHA’s, niacinamide and salicylic acid serums. These serums are designed to address different concerns such as hyperpigmentation, acne, large pores, uneven skin tone and so on.
4. Eye care
The next step is to apply any eye care. As the skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than on the rest of the face it becomes prone to various concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles. It also doesn’t have oil glands as the rest of the face does making them more susceptible to free radical damage and damage from facial expressions. Eye care products, such as eye creams or serums, are specifically formulated to address these concerns, providing hydration, nourishment, and targeted treatment to improve the appearance of the delicate eye area. By incorporating eye care into skincare routines, individuals can maintain the health and youthfulness of the skin around their eyes, achieving a more refreshed and rejuvenated look.
5. Moisturiser
The next step is to apply moisturiser. Using a face moisturiser is essential in skincare routines as it helps to hydrate the skin, lock in moisture, and maintain its natural barrier function. They provide essential nourishment to the skin, preventing dryness, flakiness, and roughness, while also helping to soothe and calm irritation. Additionally, moisturisers can improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and supple.
The next step is to apply spot treatment - this will not be applicable to everyone. Spot treatments are highly effective in skin care routines for targeting specific skin concerns, such as acne, blemishes, and breakouts. These treatments contain active ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, that work to reduce inflammation, unclog pores, and eliminate acne-causing bacteria. By applying spot treatments directly to problem areas, you can accelerate the healing process, minimise the appearance of blemishes, and prevent future breakouts.
7. Sunscreen
The last step is to apply sunscreen. Using sunscreen is essential in skin care routines as it provides vital protection against the harmful effects of UV radiation from the sun. Sunscreen helps to prevent sunburn, premature ageing, and skin cancer by shielding the skin from UVB and UVA rays. Regular use of sunscreen also helps to maintain an even skin tone, prevent the formation of dark spots and pigmentation, and reduce the risk of developing fine lines and wrinkles. This is a non negotiable step sunscreen must be applied all year round in all weathers, I recommend using a water resistant broad spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 and UVA star rating of either 4 or 5.
Night routine
Cleanse
Use an oil based cleanser such as a cleansing balm to clean your face. The oil based cleanser will breakdown any dirt, makeup and pollution accumulated throughout the day. They tend to be more gentle than water based cleansers which is more desirable after a day where you skin has already been aggravated by external factors. Additionally I highly recommend using an oil based cleanser if you wear makeup as this will gently remove the makeup whilst keeping the skin moisturised as opposed to using a more stripping traditional make up remover.
2. Serum
Many serums recommend you apply them twice daily to achieve the results marketed. They are especially effective to apply at night because your skin repairs itself whilst you are sleeping, applying a serum before bed will further expedite this healing process leaving you with a glow in the morning. Applying a serum at night is also a good idea if you have two serums that are not compatible for use at the same time such as retinol and vitamin C, you may choose then to use one in the morning and another at night.
3. Night Cream
The final step is to apply night cream. Night creams are thick highly moisturising formulas packed with nutrients and actives to help expedite the repairing process than happens when you are asleep. Sinking in while you sleep the actives and nutrients will help address your specific skin concerns and leave your skin plump, dewy and moisturised come the morning. I highly recommend this step if you are over the age of 25, as the rate of transdermal water loss is higher as well as a reduction in the production of collagen. Using a night cream can help replenish the water lost and stimulate collagen production leaving you with healthy, plump, youthful looking skin.
Note
It’s worth noting that this skin care routine is very full on and may not be applicable to everyone this can definitely be toned down. I myself do not follow all these steps, as basic morning routine can be cleanse, moisture and sunscreen. You can add additional steps depending on your skin care goals and skin type. A simple night time routine can be cleanse and night cream. Cleansing, moisturising and sunscreen are non negotiable steps that everyone should be doing no matter your age or skin type as this at the very minimum helps to maintain healthy skin.
Conclusion
In this blog we have taken a look in how to correctly layer skin care products, we have also mentioned how not every step may be relevant or applicable depending on your skin care concerns. As a minimum everyone should be cleansing, moisturising and applying sunscreen daily. We have also given some skin care tips with do’s and dont’s. I hope you have found this blog useful.
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