Regardless of the number of products in your skincare routine, if you’re not a dermatologist or an expert, figuring out how to make sure all of these products work takes a bit of research. Daily skincare routines include several steps, and it can be a bit confusing to know what is added to what and which ingredients should not be applied together.
We are demystifying the correct steps and applications of various products and providing some basic advice when it comes to combining certain ingredients, but we recommend that you be aware of the active ingredients in the products you already own. Should moisturizing serum and vitamin C serum be applied together? Well, that depends on its main ingredients. This article will help you know what to look for.
The Basics
Why is the way you layer your skincare important? It all comes down to absorption. “Layering skin products in the right order helps you get the most out of your routine; you want maximum percutaneous absorption of important active ingredients,” said Cynthia Bailey, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Bailey Skin Care. “Applying a product that prevents others from penetrating your skin will be a frustrating waste of time and money.”
When it comes to the correct order of applying products, you generally want to go from thin to thick. “Always apply water-based products before oil-based products and try to apply a thinner layer of water-based products before thicker/creamier/oily products,” said Dr. Bailey. The viscosity of your products determines how well they absorb into your skin. If you apply a watery serum after you’ve layered on a cream or lotion, you’re not getting the full benefits of the thinner product because it can’t penetrate the skin with something thicker underneath. This fundamental principle has a few exceptions that we will cover, namely when it comes to eye creams, eye serums, and retinol.
Proper product application also differs between daytime and nighttime applications, as you will not be using the same products each time. “Ideally, you want an AM/PM skincare routine twice a day about 12 hours apart,” added Dr. Bailey. While some products are best applied at night (like retinol) or in the morning (antioxidants like vitamin C), your routine will generally be similar, always starting with a cleanser.
New Cosmetic Cleanser
Keep in mind that if you’re not using a facial oil in your nightly routine, oil cleansing in the morning isn’t always necessary. However, if you have dry skin, using an oil cleanser instead of a gel or milky cleanser in the morning might be a better alternative. It will hydrate your skin while getting rid of any product or sweat from the night before.
Pure Cleaning Product
Cleanse with a water-based cleanser or make a micellar water rinse by saturating a cotton pad with pure micellar water and rubbing it all over your face and neck.
Skin Enhancer
To keep your skin supple and hydrated, use a hydrating toner or essence while your skin is still damp from the micellar water. The key to a hydrated and smooth complexion is the layers of moisture, so we’ll start with this step: apply the toner or essence with your hands and work it into the skin.
Creams and Skin Care Products
The typical treatment serum used in daytime skin care is a vitamin C serum, but no matter what type of serums you use, just be sure to apply the most potent active ingredient first. To save time, I would recommend a vitamin C serum combined with hyaluronic acid so you don’t have to waste time layering early in the morning. But if you choose to layer the serum, always apply the moisturizing serum after the treatment serum.
