Clear skin (sadly) doesn’t just happen overnight. With our ever-changing environment, our skin has to adapt to new conditions, and this can take time. One thing that helps steady the barrage of factors is sticking to a good skincare routine. We all know the importance of having a solid skincare routine by now, but did you know that the order in which you apply your products is just as important as the products themselves? Now that fall is officially here, our skin has to battle the chillier weather in addition to all of the other toxins it comes in contact with. More than ever, it’s the time to solidify your skincare routine! We’re here to take you through it, step-by-step:

 

Step 1: Wash your face.

As we noted in an article last month, washing your face is of utmost importance. Taking the correct steps to cleanse your skin helps rid it of all the build-up from throughout the day. Not only does a good face washing routine protect your skin in the present, but it can also enhance protection in the future as well. Check out our article here for a more in-depth face washing regimen.

 

Step 2: Apply toner.

After cleansing your skin thoroughly, it’s time to apply a toner. Toners prime your face for the rest of the products you’re about to put on, balance the PH of your skin, and can have a number of other ingredients to benefit your skin as well. For normal or combination skin, opt for a toner that keeps your skin balanced, and that will gently exfoliate it. For sensitive skin, it’s better to go with a product that will calm and heal your skin, such as toners with anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants.

 

Step 3: Apply serums.

Here comes the fun part. In a recent article with Cosmopolitan Magazine, dermatologist Mona Gohara describes serums as “essentially just shots of extremely concentrated nutrients, hydrators, and antioxidants…” In other words, using a serum is like boosting your skin’s immune system. Vitamin C serums are an industry favorite, as is hyaluronic acid which, lucky for you, we’ve covered in another article! To read more about the benefits of it, click here. Serums should feel cool and calming on your skin and will help keep it hydrated and plump.

 

Step 4: Apply eye creams and spot treatments.

This step is more of an optional one because not everyone has acne to spot treat. If you choose to apply either of these things, do so before you apply moisturizer. Once your heavy moisturizer is on, it will be harder for other products to penetrate the skin and have their desired effect. Eye creams can be applied morning or night, and help to reduce undereye bags. Spot treatments are best done at night, right before you go to bed. 

 

Step 5: Apply moisturizer.

One of the most important steps in your skincare routine is moisturizer. Seriously, we can’t stress this enough – no matter if your skin is dry, combination, oily, or sensitive, it needs to be hydrated. Serums such as hyaluronic acid can help your skin retain moisture, but moisturizer itself does the heavy lifting. It’s best to apply it as soon as you’ve washed your face and completed all of the steps above. This is when your skin is most ready to absorb all the goodness! If you’re going to apply makeup after this, make sure to wait at least five minutes to allow the moisture to soak in.

 

Step 6: Apply sunscreen or face oils.

This final step is also optional and is dependent on the time of day. In the mornings we highly recommend applying sunscreen, especially if your moisturizer or makeup don’t have any SPF in them. SPF 30 is great for your face and will block about 97% of UV rays. Your skin will thank you in the long run for treating it to sunscreen!

 

At night, you can apply face oils after your moisturizer if you want. When layered over all of the other products you use, face oils help lock in the benefits of your routine and ensure that your skin soaks up all of the supplements and hydration that it needs. If you’re prone to oily skin, try out an oil that prevents an excess of the natural oils that cause acne, such as jojoba oil. If your skin is sensitive, opt for something with aloe in it to soothe it.

 

Remember that the products you use should be specific to your skin. Everyone’s skin is a little bit different, so you have to take the steps that you need for your skin. Do some research to figure out what kind of products might be best for you. If you don’t know where to start, we offer free consultations to set you on the right path!