Layering skincare in the proper order allows your skin to absorb more active ingredients, yielding better results. Layer from thin to thick consistency. This improves absorption while preventing blockage. Occlusive products retain moisture while preventing active substances from being absorbed.
You don’t need an elaborate 10-step skincare program. The most basic routine consists of a cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF. This maintains your skin clean, hydrated, and protected from the sun. Using fewer items may help reduce irritation and skin responses.
Step 1: Cleanser
Washing your face is always the first step in your skincare regimen. Cleansing prepares your skin for product absorption. It removes any debris, oil, and filth that accumulates in and around your pores. Choose a cleanser that is mild, alcohol-free, and non-abrasive. These cleansers will not remove the oils that assist maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Different skin types may need more moisturizing or oil-reducing substances.
Key ingredients: A cleanser containing ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or aloe vera helps hydrate and moisturize dry skin.Niacinamide, green tea extract, or chamomile can help calm your skin without stripping or over-moisturizing. Benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and tea tree oil are all ingredients that help manage excess oil, clear pores, and prevent acne breakouts.Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can irritate or dry out the skin.
How to apply: Splash your entire face with lukewarm water and gently massage the cleanser into your skin with your fingertips. Pat dry with a towel. Wash your face in the morning and at night, as well as after heavy sweating.
Step 2: Toner
A toner isn’t usually necessary, but it can help remove excess oil and debris after cleaning. This prepares your skin for other products. Toners can also moisturize dry skin and promote a healthy skin pH, potentially preventing acne.
Key ingredients: If you have dry or sensitive skin, choose moisturizing toners like hyaluronic acid or rose water. Oily and acne-prone skin types may benefit from astringent toners. Astringents such as salicylic acid and witch hazel reduce excess oil.
How to apply: Soak a cotton pad or ball in toner. Gently apply the product to your face.
Step 3: Spot Treatment
Use spot treatments immediately after cleansing or toning to cure pimples or erase dark areas. These products target certain parts of the skin. They have varied active substances depending on what you’re treating. Applying spot treatments promptly to freshly prepared skin enhances the active components’ penetration.
Key ingredients: Look for acne treatments with benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, as well as dark spot treatments with kojic acid. These compounds serve to effectively address specific challenges.
How to apply: Using clean fingertips, apply a tiny amount of spot therapy to the affected region. Use these products as needed, but always follow the instructions for application. Avoid applying serums or other treatments to regions that have already received spot treatments.
Step 4: Serums
After using a cleanser or toner, apply a serum straight to the skin’s surface. Serums are a general name for skincare products that have a high concentration of active substances. They are often lightweight and water-based, allowing them to permeate the skin fast. They increase moisture, brighten the skin, and address other specific skin issues. Vitamin C, niacinamide, and alpha hydroxy acids are among the most popular serums.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C lightens skin, softens wrinkles, and reduces hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide smoothes fine wrinkles, treats acne, minimizes pores, balances oils, and brightens the skin. Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, and glycerin help to hydrate the skin. AHAs such as glycolic and lactic acids moisturize, exfoliate, and smooth fine wrinkles. Serums containing salicylic and azelaic acids clean pores and relieve irritation.
How to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount, or the prescribed amount, to your face using clean fingers. Gently tap the product into your face and neck.
Step 5: Retinol and Other Retinoid Treatments
Apply retinol and other retinoids after the serums. They are often thicker and more occlusive. These vitamin A derivatives are beneficial for anti-aging and acne treatment. They promote cell turnover, collagen production, and improve skin texture.
Key ingredients: Retinol, retinyl palmitate, and retinaldehyde are all available over the counter (OTC). They are less strong than other retinoids, making them suitable for those with sensitive skin, minor wrinkles, mild acne, and hyperpigmentation. For severe acne, the prescription choices include Differin (adapalene), Retin-A (tretinoin), Tazorac (tazarotene), and Aklief (trifarotene). Differin is also available over-the-counter at a lesser concentration.
How to apply: Start slowly, applying a pea-sized dose of retinol or retinoid each night until your skin adjusts, which usually takes a few weeks. Retinol and retinoids make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so just apply them at bedtime and wear SPF moisturizer in the morning.
Step 6: Eye Cream
You don’t require eye cream, but it can help to moisturize the sensitive skin under your eyes. This area of skin is prone to wrinkles and sun exposure. Use eye cream after any treatments to help your skin absorb them. Eye creams typically have a thick texture.
Key ingredients: Day creams should contain peptides, antioxidants (such as vitamin C or green tea extract), and SPF to defend against UV damage, according to Goldman. “Night creams can benefit from chemicals like retinol, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, which stimulate healing and hydration.
How to: After applying serum or retinol, gently dab eye cream under your eyes with your ring finger. Handle this fragile skin gently, and avoid pulling or rubbing it.
Step 7: Moisturizer
Moisturizers typically have a heavier consistency, so apply them after mild serums or treatments. If you want to keep your skincare routine as simple as possible, use moisturizer after cleaning. Moisturizers replenish the water in your skin and rebuild the skin barrier. They also seal your skin, preventing thinner items from fully absorbing if used after the moisturizer.
Key ingredients: Goldman recommended that individuals with dry skin seek moisturizers that contain ingredients such as glycerin, shea butter, or ceramides to achieve intense hydration.” Oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid or lightweight gel formulations may be advantageous for individuals with oily or acne-prone skin.
How to apply: Apply your moisturizer to your entire face and neck in a gentle manner. If you did not apply an eye cream, apply it to the area under your eyes.
Step 8: Face Oils
Face oils offer supplementary moisture and hydration. Make sure to apply them after your moisturizer. Goldman explained that this is due to the fact that face oils are generally thicker and heavier than moisturizers, which can create a barrier that prevents the moisturizer from fully penetrating the skin.
Key ingredients: Face oils that are rich in fatty acids, such as argan or avocado oil, can provide skin with nourishment and hydration. Goldman recommended the use of rosehip oil and chamomile to alleviate skin irritation. Oil production can be regulated by lighter oils, such as grapeseed oil and jojoba oil.
How to apply: After moisturizing your fingers, apply a few drops of facial oil. Additionally, oil may be applied directly to the forehead and cheeks. Apply the oil to your face and neck in a gentle manner.
Step 9: Sunscreen
Ensure that sunscreen is applied as the final step of your daily skincare regimen. Sunscreen shields your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are responsible for the development of skin cancer and the aging process.
Key ingredients: Seek a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and broad-spectrum coverage. Cosmetics and moisturizers that contain SPF are also viable alternatives; however, they may not provide sufficient protection.
How to apply: Apply sunscreen to your face, neck, chest, and ears in a gentle manner. Apply approximately 2 milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin, which is equivalent to a nickel-sized quantity. Chemical sunscreens require approximately 15 minutes to absorb. Mineral sunscreens are immediately effective. Reapply every two hours for both.
