A Guide to Layering Your Skin Care Products the Right Way
Why, in skincare, do we put so much importance on how you layer your products? The simple answer is, it all comes down to absorption.
“Layering your skin products in the right order helps you get the most out of your routine; you want skin-deep absorption of important active ingredients,” says Nicky Lamba, our founder. “The skin’s job is to keep things out, but many of the skin care products we use have ingredients we want to get in. Only a very small amount of these key ingredients can penetrate the skin, even when perfectly formulated and applied. If you don’t apply products in the correct order, you will not see the best results from your skin care regimen. When you apply a product that blocks others from getting through your skin, we end up getting frustrated with no results which in turn also becomes an expensive affair.”
Whether you wish for a simple 3-step routine for the morning or have time for a full 10-step regimen at night, the order in which you apply your products matters.
The Basics of Any Skin Care Routine
Nicky elaborates on correct layering, breaking down the ritual into simple steps that need to be followed:
- A daily routine should include cleansing of face, followed by moisturizing and the application of sunscreen.
- A night-care routine involves cleansing of the face followed by application of night serums on the face and neck, any prescribed medications and finally a night cream or a moisturizing cream which can be applied on the face, neck, eyes and lips.
It’s never too early — or late — to start a skincare routine. Choose steps and products in your routine for your skin concerns and age. Teens and preteens, for example, may need a routine built on products to help manage blemishes and oily skin. Adults may focus more on products that support their skin as it ages. Build a routine that’s right for you and your skin will thank you!
Your Daytime Skin Care Layering Routine: A Step-by-Step Guide
The morning routine is all about prepping your skin for the day; your skin is exposed to the sun, heat, pollution and dirt—all of which can damage the skin and lead to premature aging.
STEP 1: CLEANSER
In the morning, start by washing your face with warm water along with a gentle face cleanser designed for your skin type.
Recommendation: We’d recommend Purging Purity, and if you’re into cleansing oils, you can use this as an addition, to remove the extra grime and dirt that gets clogged in the pores. If winter’s make your skin drier, that’s when double-cleansing helps.
STEP 2: TONER
Most people skip the toner, partly because there’s a lingering assumption that most toners are harsh and irritate the skin. Thankfully that is not the case anymore. Each type of toner is intended for a different skin issue, so it’s important to use the right kind for your skin concern. However, if you have lived all your life without using a toner and your skin looks healthy, skin experts say that there is no need to start using one. “Toners were created to help return the skin’s pH after it became too basic from harsh soaps,” explains Nicky Lamba. “Face cleansers are now so much better balanced that toners are not a required step.” That said, if you have a toner that you like using, there’s no harm in sticking with it.
Recommendation: If you decide to go with NESARA by Nicky’ Rose Panasea, you can take one pump of our refreshing toner into your palm or cotton swab and wipe your face and neck gently in an upward circular motion. This soothes the skin and keeps it refreshed and hydrated.
STEP 3: ANTIOXIDANT SERUM
Serums are concentrated, nutrient-dense treatments that address specific concerns, so it’s wise to keep them as close to the skin as possible. There are various serums available on the market today, but for daytime, use antioxidant serums, which provide a variety of benefits—from blunting your skin’s inflammatory response to neutralizing damage from UV rays and environmental pollutants. Free radicals and frequent sun exposure can also trigger changes in our skin’s melanin production, causing dark spots and uneven skin tone. Antioxidant serums that include Vitamin C, Niacinamide also known as Vitamin B3, and Vitamin E can help prevent abnormal skin pigmentation.
STEP 4: MOISTURIZER
Moisturizers are a critical step in a skincare routine. It is a barrier maintenance step. Our skin barrier is constantly under stress, and a moisturizer helps boost it. The right moisturizer will hydrate, replenish, restore your skin’s pH levels, nourish and repair any issues like dry, flaky skin. But it’s also essential that you choose one with the right formula and ingredient list for your skin type.
Recommendation: A single pump of Facial Felicity Skin Balancing Moisturizer from NESARA by Nicky, is enough to provide anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, and intensely hydrating goodness, with natural emollients to soften & smoothen your skin.
Step 5: SUNSCREEN
Sunscreen in your last step in your daytime skincare regimen. It sits on top of your skin, so if you put this on first it prevents other ingredients from penetrating. Hence, the importance of layering! For daytime, sunscreen is THE most important step; even during the winter months. Applying a good sunscreen every morning will protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays. An SPF will sit on the surface of your skin, acting as a protective barrier against the sun.
Recommendation: Sunshield which has Zinc Oxide, protects the skin against harmful UVA rays by shielding the cells from damage and halting signs of aging. It diminishes sunburns and heals chapped skin. Formulated with Ylang Ylang and Lavender Essential oils, it is also perfect to keep your skin protected from the UVA rays emitted by blue light from your screen while you work from home.
Your Night time Skin Care Layering Routine: A Step-by-Step Guide
As your skin naturally repairs itself at night, your night-time routine should be all about giving your skin what it needs. Skin that looks dull, exfoliates. If it is irritated, hydrate and protect.” Here’s the best order of skin care products to make sure you get the most out of them:
STEP 1: (DOUBLE) CLEANSER
To get rid of the day’s grime, dirt, oil and makeup, some experts recommend removing your makeup first with a dedicated makeup remover before washing your face with a gentle cleanser. Better yet, try double cleansing, which involves using a cleansing oil first to dissolve your makeup, wipe it off with a soft towel soaked in warm water and then washing your face again with your regular cleanser.
Extra Step: Mask or Exfoliate!
Once your skin is completely clean, this is the time to include any extra steps in your routine, like a clay mask or peel-off mask, or exfoliating your skin. Use a sheet mask if you wish to, as it’s essentially like your day time serum step.
STEP 2: ESSENCES, BOOSTERS, TONERS
If you use a toner, apply it as you would in the morning. At night, some people like to layer various types of skin care boosters, which could be seen as either mists, essences, beauty waters or hydrating (hyaluronic acid) serums. These are infused with different active ingredients, but for the most part, the purpose is mainly to hydrate and nourish skin.
Since these are lightweight, almost water-like formulas; apply them after washing your face as you would a toner. If you do decide to use multiple boosters, the same rules apply: apply from thinnest to thickest.
STEP 3: EYE CREAM
Eye creams can brighten under eyes, reduce puffiness, and add an extra hit of moisture. Depending on the formula it may look like a serum or a thick moisturizer, but now is the time to apply it, as there are fewer ‘barriers’ for it to get through, and it can be absorbed more easily!
Note: In case you are required to add prescription medication into your skin care routine, now is the time to add this on.
A small tip, try to pick your evening treatment based on what your skin needs that night. Some nights, it may be just washing, moisturizing and bed. There is always tomorrow to give your skin more love.
STEP 4: MOISTURIZER
Hydrated skin is skin that is loved and that is why this step cannot be skipped. Just like your morning routine, you can use the same moisturizer at night. It Maintains a high-water content that is key for healing and maintaining healthy skin.
The general rule is to apply the most lightweight formulas first so they can be easily absorbed without the barrier of heavier creams. The most important thing is to ensure your skin is completely clean before you apply any hydrating lotions or oils.
After each skincare layer, give your skin time to absorb the product. Work your skincare into your morning and evening routine; brush your teeth between steps, give your makeup sponge a wash, grab a cup of coffee or a quick dance routine to lessen the stress, whatever you do, give your skin a little extra time to absorb products between steps.
Another piece of advice? Take time and listen to your skin. Remember that you are unique and that nobody else has your skin. No matter what experts say, it’s important to find what works for you, be patient and always be kind to your skin.