Layering Your Skincare

There’s a reason why products come with specialized instructions for use. To get the most out of your professional products, you want to make sure you are applying them in a way that allows for each of them to reach their full potential. 

 

While all routines are different, everybody and nearly every skin type can follow the general guidelines below. Read on to learn more about how you should be applying your products for the best results!

 

THE GENERAL RULE OF THUMB

 

When it comes to layering skincare products, apply from lightest to heaviest. The right way to apply is by product consistency, which means your lightweight liquids will be the products you start with and the heavier, thicker creams will be the ones you end with.

 

DAYTIME ORDER 

 

Your morning routine should follow a general order that resembles the following:

 

• Cleanser
• Toner
• Serum(s) 
• Moisturizer
• SPF (of at least 30!)

 

You always want to start the day with a good cleansing in order to wash off any bacteria from your pillowcases and any residue from your treatments applied the night before. You can then follow up with a toner—since most toners have water-like formulas, you will want to use it before your treatment serums. 

 

Post-cleanse, you can apply the serums that will effectively penetrate the skin and deliver active ingredients. You can layer your serums (for example, a vitamin C serum like the Skinceuticals C+E Ferulic and a hydrating hyaluronic acid serum can be applied one after the other) as long as they are applied before the second to last step: locking it all in with a moisturizer.

 

Last but definitely not least, an SPF will be the last step of your morning routine to ensure you are adequately protected from the sun’s harmful rays. It also needs to sit on top of all your products, so it needs to be applied last!

 

NIGHTTIME ORDER

 

Your PM routine will want to follow a similar order: cleanse, tone, treat with serums, and seal it all in. However, there are a few tweaks.

 

You’ll want to apply your thicker and more potent serums at night, such as retinols, AHAs, and BHAs such as salicylic acid. The reason for this is that the skin repairs itself at night, so you’ll get the most out of your treatments if you apply them before bed. 

   

ALASTIN RENEWAL RETINOL .25

 

SKINMEDICA AHA/BHA CREAM

 

If you have sensitive skin and just the thought of using a treatment product is enough to trigger some irritation, you can switch up the traditional order and, try putting on a thin layer of a fragrance-free moisturizer before your serums. This can help reduce the potency of the serums and reduce potential irritation.

  

SKINCEUTICALS TRIPLE LIPID RESTORE

 

Make sure to seal it in with a moisturizer, which can be thicker or more hydrating than your AM one. 

 

Have any specific questions about the application of a new product or a specific treatment? Book your online consultation with us to speak with one of our incredible medical aestheticians! 

 

Until next time,

 

The BSE Team