Get Your Skincare in Order

How to order Your skincare Routine

You're probably wondering, "what do you apply first-- serum or moisturizer?". Or what about a face oil? I'm sure we all buy a new skin care product first and then later think, "now, how does this fit in?". 
Here's the deal: the order you apply your skin care products matters. If you don't layer your products correctly, you run the risk of your products becoming ineffective or irritating your skin. When you apply your skin care products in the right order, you're able to maximize their benefits.
Below you'll find a breakdown of when to apply each of your skin care products. You can subtract the products that you don't use, but it's important to implement these steps with the products that work for your skin. Don't forget to adapt products as your skin changes with climate or travel.

Here's the Breakdown

1. Cleanser: Start your morning with a gentle cleanser to begin with a clean slate and remove any debris from your pillow or from your skin purging at night. In the evening, I double cleanse -- using an oil cleanser to remove makeup and/or sunscreen, and then a regular cleanser to remove any impurities or debris from the day.
2. Toner/Essence: Toners are used as a way to balance your skin's pH levels, while an essence will deliver nutrients and antioxidants to your skin. This step is not meant to strip your skin. Think of this step as a primer for the rest of your skincare routine. (*note: if you still see dirt or leftover makeup when applying your toner, you didn't cleanse your face enough)
3. Serum/Treatment: Serums and treatments are power-packed with ingredients to help target your specific skin concerns. This is the step to apply your acne treatment, vitamin c serum, and anti-aging serum. I have three different serums that I like, so I mix two serums in the morning and two serums in the evening. In the evening, this is the step where you would apply your overnight peel or exfoliating treatment.
4. Spot Treatment: Not everyone uses a spot treatment. This step targets specific spots on your skin like acne scars, pesky pimples, or dark spots. 
5. Moisturizer/Eye Cream: Eye creams are meant to maintain the elasticity and thickness of the skin around your eyes. If you use an eye cream it's best to apply it before your moisturizer (remember, lightest to heaviest). Moisturizers are used to hydrate and protect your skin from environmental stressors, while maintaining your moisture barrier. They also help trap all your other treatments underneath, so that they can remain effective. Even if you have oily skin, like me, you need a moisturizer. This is the step where you could apply a heavier moisturizer at night, so it can be absorbed in the hours while you sleep.
6. Facial Oil: Not everyone uses facial oils. A facial oil should always go last and are better used at night. If you want to use a facial oil in the morning, I would mix a very small amount with your moisturizer before applying it to your skin. I use one drop in the morning with my moisturizer, compared to 3 drops a night after my moisturizer. Oils help seal everything in to keep your other products from evaporating.
7. Sunscreen: Sunscreen should be the last step of your morning skin routine. It's best to use a physical mineral sunscreen rather than a chemical sunscreen so that you can physically block the UV rays and protect your skin.

A ten-step skincare routine isn't for everyone. Remember thinnest to thickest. Listen to your skin, and apply the skincare routine that works for you.

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