In regard to at-home skincare, it’s not enough to just apply your products all willy-nilly and hit the road to holiday adventure. It takes care, finesse, and exceptional precision. Trust us, there’s a rhyme to the reason behind how to layer your skincare products. Proper skincare layering ensures your skin absorbs active ingredients which leads to the best results for beautifully healthy skin.

Unless you live in a state where it’s warm and sunny year-round, (and if so, color us green with envy), then it’s a given to bundle up as the temperatures plummet. For example, an ideal clothing combination would be to start with a camisole, then throw on a turtleneck, followed by a cozy, cute cardigan. You probably wouldn’t put the cardigan under the turtleneck, then finish your look with a camisole as your top layer, because, well, that’d be a little odd. The same goes for layering skincare!

Appropriate Skincare Product Layering, Simplified

If work or other responsibilities make you an early bird, your mind may be in a haze as you’re still trying to wake up from your seven-hour slumber and get the day started. If you’re still sleepy, you may feel like a zombie that goes into its daily autopilot mode completing each morning task from brushing your teeth to washing your face, and so on.

Before you reach for your skincare cabinet, be mindful of which product you grab first, and which one you save for last. Follow our guide to layering skincare products to ensure each one properly penetrates the surface.

Cleanser

This goes without saying, but this is a comprehensive guide, so we’re going to say it anyway: wash your face first. Depending on your unique skin requirements, whether it’s oily, dry, sensitive, acne-prone, or pretty neutral, choose a face wash that caters to its needs. For example, if your skin is susceptible to breakouts and it has an oily or shiny appearance, vie for a cleanser with active ingredients that annihilate excessive oil, like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, and niacinamides. These ingredients are trusted by dermatologists as they cleanse while exfoliating away dead skin cells and clearing out set-in bacteria and oil, which result in pimples.

On the other hand, if your skin is low-maintenance and only has breakouts every once in a while, don’t try to fix what isn’t broken by investing in pricey, top-of-the-line face cleansers. A simple product with a gentle formula is good enough, as it scrubs away impurities and dirt that’s built up throughout the day, leaving you with a fresh, clean slate to move on to the next product.

Toner

Toner is an extremely light-weight, water-based product that packs a powerful punch. If you choose an astringent toner, it contains alcohol and wipes away residual dirt and oil that your cleanser left behind. However, gentler toners contain no alcohol, so they’re often recommended unless you have issues with oily skin. Regular, alcohol-free toners balance the skin’s pH and provide much-needed hydration, which helps the skin absorb and lock in moisture much easier. Essentially, toners are the perfect segue into the following products, as they prepare the skin for the remainder of your regimen.  

Spot Treatment

If you struggle with acne scars, dark spots, or hyperpigmentation, the next step is applying spot treatment. These products target specific areas of the skin, and a little goes a long way. As a rule of thumb, use only on an as-needed basis, and just enough to cover the affected area. The best products for acne scars and dark spots contain antibacterial ingredients like azelaic acid, and even exfoliating ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), to help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. If you’re following up with serums and moisturizers, avoid the area where the spot treatment has been applied.

Serum

Serum is up next, and you don’t need to use too much of this product either. As a matter of fact, serums are just products with concentrated amounts of active ingredients, so a thin layer covering your whole face is more than enough to get the job done. These lightweight products are often used to brighten the skin, aid in anti-aging, minimize fine lines, and improve hydration. Many popular serums include ingredients like vitamin C, glycolic acid, and glycerin, which all help with giving the skin a soft and supple appearance, minimizing the look of enlarged pores, and so on. Long story short, you do not want to skip your serum.

Retinol

Retinols are forms of vitamin A, that are often thicker and need the help of the serum beforehand to better penetrate the skin and work its magic. Retinol helps stimulate cell turnover, boosts collagen production, and keeps signs of aging at bay. The key ingredients in retinols are often safe for most people with mild-to-moderate acne, fine lines, and slight hyperpigmentation, so they’re popular and easily accessible. However, some people may have vitamin A sensitivity, and therefore should consult with their doctor before incorporating any retinols into their regimen.

Eye Cream

Eye creams have a thicker texture, similar to retinol, so they’re used toward the end of your routine, as products applied previously help eye cream soak into the skin a lot better. Some eye creams may contain retinol as well, to help reduce fine lines and under-eye bags. However, they may contain gentler ingredients, too, like green tea extract and vitamin C to wake sleepy eyes up and increase circulation to minimize the look of dark circles. Remember to apply under eye cream gently, as this skin is delicate; too much pulling can worsen the condition of your under eyes.

Moisturizer

The thickest layer of your skincare routine is your moisturizer. This is great, especially for the fall and winter seasons, to form a protective barrier and shield your skin from the freezing cold. Look for ingredients like shea butter and ceramides for intense nourishment that keeps your skin resilient during the time it needs it most. Moisturizes boost elasticity and keep the skin from drying out and looking dull, making it one of the most important steps in your skincare regimen.

Face Oils

If you’d like an extra layer of protection this season, or if your skin has an issue with being too dry, applying face oils is your next step in skincare product layering. Applying oil after moisturizer locks in that softness and nourishment provided in the previous step, giving your face a subtle glow and youthful, dewy appearance. Plus, most importantly, oil provides the nutrients and vitamins it needs, especially if you use argan or coconut oil. Two to three small drops is sufficient, otherwise, applying too much will make your face look shiny and could cause clogged pores, which of course, leads to breakouts.

SPF

Lastly and most importantly, apply your sunscreen. Even on days when the temperature is below zero, if the sun is shining, your skin is vulnerable to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Therefore, no matter the time of the year, your skin needs this safeguard. If too much sunscreen is applied, and if it’s spread unevenly, then it can leave an obvious white cast. To avoid this, apply a little at a time until your face is covered completely, ensuring the product is rubbed in all the way for full-coverage protection.

Visit Your Nearest TOF for A Spa Treatment You Can Trust

Your at-home skincare regimen and layering skincare products correctly can become mundane or maybe even overwhelming. Either way, sometimes, it’s better to let the professionals do what they do best. That’s where we come in. The Only Facial performs an excellent job, so you won’t have to do any guesswork for a change. Leave it all to us when you book an appointment with no up-sells, no tips, and no pressure whatsoever. We’ll see you soon!