Taking care of your skin is extremely important. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it needs attention. Skin care does not have to be complicated or frustrating, it just must make sense for your skin. Remember: the most important rule in skin care is that every product must serve a purpose. Layering and applying your skin care products in the right order ensures maximum absorption and effectiveness. Here is a step-by-step guide to help build the perfect routine.
Morning Skin Care Routine.
Step One: Cleanser. The purpose of a cleanser is to remove all dirt, oil, and impurities. It is important to note that you must use a cleanser that suits your skin type. Oily and/or acne prone skin; a gel or foaming cleanser is best. If you have dry or dehydrated skin, a cream-based cleanser is best.
Skin Care Tip: Always cleanse with lukewarm water. Hot water can strip your skin’s natural oils.
Step Two: Treatment Serums. Serums target skin concerns Serums are lightweight, concentrated formulas for specific concerns. Vitamin C brightens and protects against free radicals. Hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps the skin. Niacinamide controls oil, reduces redness and minimizes pores.
Step Three: Eye Cream. The purpose of eye cream is to hydrate the skin and assist to prevent wrinkles. The best and most effective way to apply eye cream is to pat gently around the eye with your ring finger. Do not rub it in.
Step Four: Moisturizer. Moisturizer locks in hydration; use gel-based moisturizers for oily skin, lightweight moisturizers for combination skin, and thick moisturizers for dry skin. Moisturizers can be swapped depending on the time of year. For example, I use a lightweight moisturizer in the summertime as I tend to be more on the oily side, and I use a heavier moisturizer in the wintertime because I am more dehydrated. It is normal for our skin care routine to change as the seasons change.
Step Five: Sunscreen. Sunscreen is the most important and last step in your morning skin care routine. Sunscreen protects against UV damage and premature aging. As a last step, sunscreen locks in all your products.
Skin Care Tip: Use at least two fingers worth of sunscreen and reapply every two hours. The best way to reapply is to use the Mineral Brush On SPF by Colorescience. There is no excuse to not reapply.
Nighttime Skin Care Routine
Step One: Double Cleanse. It is extremely important to double cleanse at the end of the day. The first cleanse is to remove any makeup, sunscreen, and impurities from the skin. The second cleanse is to cleanse your skin and prepare for the rest of the routine.
Step Two: Treatment Serums. Using a serum at night helps to repair and restore your skin. One of the best serums to use at night is Retinol, AKA vitamin A, it fights wrinkles, acne, and boosts collagen production.
Skin Care Tip: Start with retinol two to three times per week if you are new to it and always use sunscreen in the morning.
Step Three: Eye cream. Using eye cream at night is effective as your skin works the hardest overnight. Remember: do not rub your eye cream onto your skin, always tap.
Step Four: Moisturizer. At night, your moisturizer locks in all layers. It is common to use a richer cream at night to hydrate and repair the skin barrier (especially if you are using retinol).
Keys To Layering Skin Care.
- Use the thin to thick rule.
- Wait thirty seconds to one minute. Let each product absorb before applying the next.
- Avoid mixing certain actives. For example, do not mix retinol and vitamin C. (It can cause irritation)
- Most important skin care tip consistency results take time. Stick to your routine.
Need some skin care advice or want to spice up your routine? Drop a comment or send me an email and let’s talk skin!
