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This post explains the beauty of a regimen & how to layer your skincare products to achieve the best results possible!

If you’re anything like me, you might be obsessed with skincare (I even have an in-flight skincare routine)! But, there was a point, not too long ago, where I had no idea what I was doing when it came to creating a skincare routine. I was lost when it came to achieving radiant, healthy, & hydrated skin. Let alone, how to actually layer the products to maximize their benefits! If you’re a skincare beginner or just feeling lost when it comes to serums, moisturizers, face oils, & toners, I’m going to share exactly how to layer skincare to help you achieve optimal results!

There is definitely a science when it comes to skincare. The efficacy of your routine really depends on a few things: your skin type, whether or not you’re using the right products for your skin type, the brands you’re using, & the order of application. Today we’re really going to focus on how to layer skincare because each product plays a crucial role in helping you see results. If you’d like to learn more about finding your skin type & the skincare products I’d recommend, be sure to get on my email list!

Order for Skincare Routine

When you’re thinking about a skincare routine, consider your regimen as a group of products that work in synergy to give your skin the best results possible. Each product compliments the next & by layering them in the correct order, you’re able to ensure each product is able to effectively penetrate the skin which in turn, maximizes your results!

This is especially important because there are many different molecule sizes when it comes to skincare products. For example the molecule size of a face oil is going to be much larger than a serum, so if you were to apply a face oil before a serum, you’d create a barrier on your skin that wouldn’t allow the serum to properly be absorbed. Layering your products in the correct order ensures you’re getting the most out your products because your skin is able to truly reap the benefits!

A good rule of thumb is to layer your products based on the consistency. I’ll give you specifics below but you will layer your skincare products from lightest to thickest. As mentioned above, this helps with overall absorption.

How to Layer Skincare Products

Step 1: Cleanser

Using a cleanser will always be the first step in your skincare routine. The role of a cleanser is to remove any makeup,  impurities, or environmental aggressors, while also creating a clean canvas so that the rest of your products can be properly absorbed. For people with oily or combo skin, using a cleanser is also important for controlling excess oil & sebum production. Using a gel or exfoliating cleanser like this Clear Pore Cleanser would be a great option if you have oily or acne prone skin. Using a creamy cleanser, like this Refresh Foaming Cleanser, would be best suited for someone with dry or sensitive skin. I would personally recommend washing your face both morning & night for optimal results.

Step 2: Toner

I never understood the importance of a toner within a skincare routine until I started using this Hydra-Gel Radiance Toner & I felt like my life changed haha. When you have a toner in your routine & you use it after you cleanse, you are getting your skin ready for your treatment step (which are your serums). This is so important because serums are where the magic happens within our skincare routines due to their active ingredients. If our skin is too dry before we apply our serums, our skin will have to overcompensate for the dryness & we won’t be able to enjoy the full results of our serum. Picture this like trying to apply a serum on a shriveled up grape.

Now imagine you apply a toner that draws moisture to your skin & then you apply your serum when your skin is supple & hydrated! Your skin is going to be able to absorb the goodness of your serum SO much easier. As someone with dry skin, incorporating a toner as the second step in my skincare routine was a complete game changer since it gives me an extra boost of hydration too. Using a toner can also help minimize the appearance of your pores while also removing any left over impurities.

Step 3: Serum

Following your cleanser & toner, is your “treatment” step. This is when you’ll apply your serums! Think of your serums as the superheroes of your skincare routine. They are specifically designed to treat specific skincare concerns with potent, concentrated formulas. Whether you’re wanting to target acne, hydration, anti-aging, dullness, hyperpigmentation, or just wanting to achieve a radiant complexion, having a serum in your routine & using it consistently, can help you achieve results when used properly.

Serums layer really beautifully with other products too. They should be layered under moisturizers & are best used when layered on top of a toner! A secret tip that I have is to apply your serum on your skin while your toner is still wet on your face! I even like to layer my serums in my morning routine. I first apply an incredibly potent anti-aging serum made with a safer version of retinol & then I layer my favorite Vitamin C serum on top to help even & brighten my skin tone, while also protecting my skin against environmental aggressors. Two goals that I have for my skin are increased hydration & anti-aging, so I like to alternate between my anti-aging serum & my hyaluronic acid serum in my morning & evening routine.

Due to their lightweight feel & texture, serums are suitable for all skin types. You’ll just want to make sure you’re using the correct serum based on the skin concern(s) you want to target & treat.

Step 4: Moisturizer

After you apply your serum, you’ll want to wait a second to ensure your serum(s) absorbs properly before applying your moisturizer. This will help to prevent pilling. Your moisturizer is a fundamental step in your skincare routine that will help to lock in moisture, as well as, the benefits of your serum. See how each product compliments the other?

By incorporating a moisturizer into your daily skincare routine, you’re able to create a protective barrier against environmental aggressors, while also nourishing & balancing your skin! This Adaptive Moisture Lotion has been my daily go-to for an AM moisturizer for over 4 years because it’s lightweight but provides my skin with the essential building blocks of hydration, nutrition, & oxygenation that keeps my skin soft, smooth, & glowing all day! When it comes to night creams, I love using a super thick & hydrating anti-aging moisturizer to help prevent moisture loss while I sleep.

Step 5: Eye Cream

If you have an eye cream in your routine, you’ll want to apply it with your ring finger around your eye area after you apply your AM or PM moisturizer. Eye creams are pretty self explanatory but they are uniquely designed to address the delicate skin around your eyes since it’s much thinner than other areas of our face. For me, having a good eye cream is an essential part of my skincare routine. I think it makes a world of a difference, especially for your makeup application! I love this anti-aging eye cream designed to target dark under eyes & crow’s feet!

Step 6: Face Oil

Having a face oil in your skincare routine is an optional step. I personally love incorporating a face oil into my routine for an extra boost of hydration & radiance. If you do incorporate an oil into your routine, you will want to use the oil as the last step! This is due to the molecule size. For example, a face oil has a larger molecule size than say a hyaluronic acid serum. So if you applied the oil before your serum, the oil would prevent your skin from absorbing the benefits of the serum.

There are two ways I’d suggest incorporating an oil into your routine. You can mix a few drops of oil in with your moisturizer. Or you can apply moisturizer first, take a few drops of the oil in your palm & press it onto your skin. This is how I like to apply my oil. I always press it onto my face after applying my moisturizer. Using an oil as the last step in your routine can help lock in moisture, give your skin an extra brightness boost, & keep your skin looking plump & healthy! I love this Vitamin C Brightening Oil from Beautycounter! It has the most amazing citrus scent too!

Step 7: SPF

Last but not least, SPF! If you’re looking for a really good mineral facial sunscreen, you need to try this Daily Sheer Defense Facial SPF. It will protect your skin from UVA, UVB, & HEV blue light rays while leaving behind no chalky white cast. The antioxidants also help to protect your skin from pollution too. As many of us know, sun damage can significantly contribute to premature aging. Having a daily SPF in your skincare routine can help prevent unnecessary wrinkles, fine lines, & dark spots. On days I don’t wear the Daily Sheer Defense, I opt for my Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer. I love Dew Skin because along with sheer coverage, it also has non-nano zinc oxide mineral SPF!

Any board-certified dermatologist will recommend wearing SPF every day to reduce your risk of skin cancer by preventing DNA damage. Please be aware that many sunscreens do more harm than good. This is why I use a non-toxic mineral sunscreen that is 3rd party tested for contaminants like Benzene. For more information about clean, mineral sunscreens, I’d recommend checking out the EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens. You’ll notice Beautycounter’s Daily Sheer Defense is on the list!

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