For a working woman, taking care of skin is hard, especially when the market is flooded with millions of products. It is difficult to understand which combination of product to use and when to use, which will suit your skin type. Most women end up using moisturiser, cleanser, toner, cream, etc. in random order. Like every skin type, the order in which you use your beauty products also vary. So, why is it necessary to use these products in a specific order? Does it matter?
According to Dr. Heather Rogers, a certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, applying your skincare products in the correct order to ensure your skin gets the overall benefits of each product. “The skin’s job is to keep things out, but many of the skincare products we use have ingredients we want to get in. Only a minimal amount of these key ingredients can penetrate the skin, even when perfectly formulated and perfectly applied,” says Dr Roger. To get the best result of your skincare regimen, it is essential to apply them in the correct order.
What is the correct order?
The thumb rule to follow is to apply your products in order of thick to thin. First, use the product that you want your skin to absorb and then finish with the product that you want to keep on your skin for a flawless look.
Daytime Regimen
Cleanser: Morning skincare regimen is all about protection from the sun and pollution. Start your day by washing your face with a gentle face cleanser. The second most important step is to choose the right toner that suits your skin type. It is generally believed that toners are harsh, but that’s not true. Most toners are designed to maintain pH of the skin and enrich your skin with antioxidants and vitamin B. But, if you do not use a toner and your skin is perfectly fine without it, you don’t need to start using one.
Serum: Another essential step is to use the antioxidant serum. Serums serve various important purposes that improve the quality of your skin. It not just protects the skin from harmful UV rays but also heals damages done to your skin.
Eye Creams: Then comes the eye cream. Most people think eye creams are for nights and older people, but that’s not true. Eye creams can be used in the morning and you should start using it in your early 20s, it is all about maintaining the beauty than fixing it. Improving the skin quality in this area early on ensures that the eyelid skin does not quickly lose laxity and its smooth appearance later on”, says dermatologist Annie Chiu. She also advises wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes from UV light damage.
Spot treatment: Spot treatment creams are ideally used at night, as it is the only time when your skin gets to relax and heals itself. But, you can try treating the spot in the day time as well. Just apply a little of the spot treatment cream before, so it penetrates the skin and let it do its job while you do yours.
Moisturiser: Then comes the most important of all—the moisturiser. Make sure you choose a light, gentle, hydraulic-based moisturizer preferably with a sunscreen of at least SPF 30, so you don’t have to use a separate sunscreen. It will save you time, as well as an extra layer on your skin. Apply it gently over your skin and let it sink into your skin for five minutes before you apply makeup.
Sunscreen: Sunscreen should be applied at the end if you prefer using a mineral or physical sunscreen. For those who prefer using sunscreen with zinc, should apply that before moisturiser. Dr Roger advises using physical sunscreen as it is safer and effective, which physically blocks the harmful rays from the sun.
Nighttime Regimen
Nighttime regimen is most important as you need to cleanse your skin properly to get rid of all the dirt, and then applied skincare products. It penetrates the surface of the skin and helps it to heal by providing it with all essential vitamins.
Cleanser (double): It is always advisable to first clean your skin and get rid of all the dirt and makeup and then, cleansing it again to remove all the dust particles and powder that you missed out in the first step. This double step cleansing ensures that your skin is open to absorb your skin regimen.
Toner: Use toners or essence which will hydrate and nourish your skin. Then gently apply eye cream to avoid dark circles and wrinkles. Eye creams also protect your eyes from other skin care products.
Spot treatment creams: Nighttime is the best to use treatment creams as your skin gets time to absorb and repair itself. But, make sure you use it as it is prescribed and never overuse it. Overusing treatment creams can lead to irritation and rashes.
Hydrating masks or face oil: For dry skin, one can also use hydrating masks or face oil as your skin needs a bit of hydration.
Moisturiser: At night, water evaporates from your skin, so you may not want to use the same moisturiser in the morning as well as at night. Night moisturiser is little thicker and gets absorbed on the skin slowly, unlike day moisturisers. So, using the right moisturiser at night can prevent dehydration of your skin and will help maintain a high water content in your skin which makes it look fresh and healthy.
Lastly, you need to remember that your skin is precious and unique. What suits others may not suit your skin type. It is essential to find the right combination of products for your skin to enjoy trouble-free beauty forever.
