Fact or fable?
Many glamor cats have an extensive skincare routine. We take good care of our peach skin to always appear radiant. But what exactly is it: is it really that important to follow a rigorous step-by-step plan for your various care products?
There is no ‘right order’
Although there is no ultimate ‘correct order’ of your skincare routine, there is of course a reason why we first cleanse our skin, then apply a serum, then grab a moisturizer and then apply an SPF product. It is therefore important that you purchase good skincare products and know exactly how to apply them correctly.
Dermatologists therefore advise you to follow a certain order for optimal results from your skincare routine. “The principle behind this sequence is to first cleanse your skin, then open your skin to allow the products to work, then add active ingredients and finish with moisturizing products,” says dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical NYC, Morgan Rabach.
The order with the most effective result
In addition to Rabach, Lauren Penzi, a certified dermatologist, also recommends using a cleanser first and then applying the products from thinnest to thickest. “Always apply your SPF last,” she adds. Through a handy schedule that the dermatologists have developed, it is clear to everyone which order you can follow for optimal results from your skincare routine.
During the day you start with a cleanser. Then you apply some eye cream, followed by a toner. Then apply your favorite serum to your face, followed by moisturizer. Do you suffer from pimples? Then choose a ‘spot treatment’ after your moisturizer. Then apply some facial oil and finish your skincare routine with your favorite SPF.
But we’re not there yet. For smooth, soft and sparkling skin, you should of course also have a skincare routine for the evening. In this order, it is recommended to use make-up remover first, followed by a cleanser. Then apply some eye cream under your eyes. Then you apply a toner, serum and retinol, followed by a moisturizer. Then – just like with your daytime skincare – you apply a spot treatment and finish with a facial oil.
Directive
While you probably don’t even think about a specific order for layering your skincare, you can optimize the effects of your routine by following a certain order. “Sequence is important because the correct sequence improves the absorption of the products and maximizes their effectiveness,” said Penzi. Aesthetic doctor Gendai Echezona also agrees: “Cleansing the skin sets the tone by removing impurities. A moisturizing cream then provides hydration and sunscreen provides essential protection against UV damage. This systematic approach maximizes the effectiveness of each skin care product.”
Multiple serums, creams or other products
For example, do you have several serums or creams in your skincare routine, and you don’t know which one to apply first? No problem. The same rule applies to serums, creams and other products of which you may have multiple variations: “As a rule of thumb, apply serums from thinnest to thickest,” says Penzi. Kristin Gunn, medical esthetician, also agrees. “For serums, I prefer to use one at a time. For example, I always use vitamin C during the day. You usually use retinol at night.”
Do you have a completely different skincare sequence that already works well for your skin? Then that is of course completely okay. Once you’ve found a skincare routine that suits you, just keep using it this way. After all, it is not without reason that we say: ‘there is no right order for your skincare’.
Source: Glamor | Image: Adobe Stock
