Before we dive-in to skincare product layering tips remember this: DON’T strip your skin of it’s lipid barrier function and healthy PH when you wash it, that will make everything you do afterward a big.fat.waste of time (check out my favorite cleansers)!
1. Start light. Serums—the thinnest products—go first, because a) that just makes sense and b) they deliver active ingredients into the skin most efficiently. Pick two or three serums that each treat one of your skincare health concerns: wrinkles/fine lines, acneic or oily (Power Peel Glycolic Gel, Clear It), water or oil-dry (Hydrate Super Serum), sensitive/irritable to calm redness (Calm Down ).
2. Add an antioxidant. Vitamin C is one ingredient every skin type needs. It brightens, protects against sun damage, and promotes collagen production (C Power Vitamin C Serum).
3. Take a coffee break. If you give each product a minute to dry, it won’t pill. I flow my skincare in with the rest of my morning routine. For example, I put on a product, have coffee, then put on a second product, then brush my teeth.
4. Lock it down. Moisturizer is key to any layering routine because it seals serums on your skin, which can make them more effective (Atmosphere Protection Cream).
5. Know when to go in reverse. If your sensitive skin reddens at the thought of using even one treatment product, try putting on a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer first and then serums on top. The cream will reduce the potency of the serums but they’ll also be less likely to cause irritation.
6. Add an oil. In small doses, oils make skin radiant. Put them on dry areas after creams—as a rule, oils can penetrate moisturizers, but not vice versa. Skip the oil if you’re wearing more than two serums under your moisturizer (Botanical Booster).
7. Don’t forget protection. Sunscreen is your last step in the morning. It sits on top of your skin, so if it goes on first, it prevents other ingredients from penetrating (Oil-Free Daily Protect).
See you at the spa!
