I get a fair number of questions from clients about the order of products application day to day. Mastering the sequence of applying your skin care products can be a breeze. Here on the blog page, it is easy to refer to when needed. Once you’ve established a routine of everyday products such as cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer. The addition of a sheet mask, or even an acne spot treatment into the mix can cause confusion. An incorrect step can leave you wondering if the product is working effectively. Please note, that these steps are not applicable to clients that are actively engaged with the Clear Acne program. Let’s dive deeper and see what it takes to become more proficient with product application.
Step 1: Make Up Remover
For ingredients to absorb properly, you need clean skin that’s totally free of oil and grime which means you need to remove your makeup first.
Skip the makeup wipes because these wipes leave behind a layer of gunky residue that cause breakouts and irritates your skin. Instead, use a cleanser that can remove all makeup without stripping your skin.
Step 2: Cleanse
Cleansing removes every trace of dirt, excess oil, pollution, and the general muck off of your face. Skipping this step allows everyday dirt and pollution to accumulate on your skin which could lead to breakouts, dehydration, dullness, and aging.
Step 3: Exfoliate
Exfoliation softens your skin and allows a fresh layer of skin cells to be revealed.
How often you exfoliate and the type of exfoliant used depends on your skin type and what you’re trying to achieve for your skin.
Step 4: Toners
Toners help to rebalance the pH levels of the skin and primes your face for the ingredients in soon to be applied products to be better absorbed.
Step 5: Face masks
A traditional face mask is applied and removed within a short period of time.
An exfoliating mask needs to be massaged into the skin briefly for best affect.
If your skin is on the sensitive/reactive side it is best to skip step #3 for additional exfoliation.
A hydrating mask may be used overnight, so consider adding your serum before you apply an overnight face mask for an added boost.
Step 6: Serums
Serums contain concentrated active ingredients that are used to target specific problem areas of the skin. Serums are beneficial for tackling all sorts of skin concerns.
The general rule of thumb is that skin care products should be applied in the order of thinnest consistency to thickest. Serums go before your moisturizer because they’re normally lighter than a face cream, balm, oil, or lotion.
Step 7: Sheet masks
Yes, that's correct. This is the spot for sheet mask use. Right here! Please note, that when using a regular face mask, a sheet mask is not necessary.
Step 8: Eye cream
Eye creams tend to be lighter and thinner than moisturizers, so be sure to apply them before you slather on any creams and oils.
Is this step really necessary? Here’s a thought to consider.
Moisturizers can be used as an eye cream; however, they tend to have heavier oils and acids in their formulation that can cause irritation to the eye area. The best practice is to use a product that has been formulated for the eyes.
Step 9: Moisturizer
Moisturize in the morning and before going to bed. A moisturizer keeps your skin moisturized and helps to trap all the products layered underneath it for that extra support.
Step 10: Facial oil (night only and only when needed)
Facial oils seal in all the ingredients and moisture that you just applied to your skin and help prevent evaporation loss overnight.
Step 11: Spot Treatment
Apply any spot treatment (acne, scars, or dark spots) at night since that’s when the skin is in repair mode.
In Summary
By following the correct steps for home care product application your skincare investment will penetrate properly, it will be effective, and it will help you attain the desired results. Skincare products are formulated in their own distinct ways and when applied incorrectly, you prevent your skin from receiving its full benefits.
Step 1: Make Up Remover
For ingredients to absorb properly, you need clean skin that’s totally free of oil and grime which means you need to remove your makeup first.
Skip the makeup wipes because these wipes leave behind a layer of gunky residue that cause breakouts and irritates your skin. Instead, use a cleanser that can remove all makeup without stripping your skin.
Step 2: Cleanse
Cleansing removes every trace of dirt, excess oil, pollution, and the general muck off of your face. Skipping this step allows everyday dirt and pollution to accumulate on your skin which could lead to breakouts, dehydration, dullness, and aging.
Step 3: Exfoliate
Exfoliation softens your skin and allows a fresh layer of skin cells to be revealed.
How often you exfoliate and the type of exfoliant used depends on your skin type and what you’re trying to achieve for your skin.
Step 4: Toners
Toners help to rebalance the pH levels of the skin and primes your face for the ingredients in soon to be applied products to be better absorbed.
Step 5: Face masks
A traditional face mask is applied and removed within a short period of time.
An exfoliating mask needs to be massaged into the skin briefly for best affect.
If your skin is on the sensitive/reactive side it is best to skip step #3 for additional exfoliation.
A hydrating mask may be used overnight, so consider adding your serum before you apply an overnight face mask for an added boost.
Step 6: Serums
Serums contain concentrated active ingredients that are used to target specific problem areas of the skin. Serums are beneficial for tackling all sorts of skin concerns.
The general rule of thumb is that skin care products should be applied in the order of thinnest consistency to thickest. Serums go before your moisturizer because they’re normally lighter than a face cream, balm, oil, or lotion.
Step 7: Sheet masks
Yes, that's correct. This is the spot for sheet mask use. Right here! Please note, that when using a regular face mask, a sheet mask is not necessary.
Step 8: Eye cream
Eye creams tend to be lighter and thinner than moisturizers, so be sure to apply them before you slather on any creams and oils.
Is this step really necessary? Here’s a thought to consider.
Moisturizers can be used as an eye cream; however, they tend to have heavier oils and acids in their formulation that can cause irritation to the eye area. The best practice is to use a product that has been formulated for the eyes.
Step 9: Moisturizer
Moisturize in the morning and before going to bed. A moisturizer keeps your skin moisturized and helps to trap all the products layered underneath it for that extra support.
Step 10: Facial oil (night only and only when needed)
Facial oils seal in all the ingredients and moisture that you just applied to your skin and help prevent evaporation loss overnight.
Step 11: Spot Treatment
Apply any spot treatment (acne, scars, or dark spots) at night since that’s when the skin is in repair mode.
In Summary
By following the correct steps for home care product application your skincare investment will penetrate properly, it will be effective, and it will help you attain the desired results. Skincare products are formulated in their own distinct ways and when applied incorrectly, you prevent your skin from receiving its full benefits.
