How To Use Your Skin Care Products. Step By Step

What is the order I should be using

my products at home?

I get a lot of questions about the proper order we should be using our skincare products at home. When we are investing in quality products and having facials we want to make sure that we are using our products correctly so they can be most effective. There are so many products out there from cleansers, serums, toners, spot treatments, eye cream etc… no wonder it gets super confusing.
When clients come into my office and we get them on a great skincare routine, I write out all the directions, step by step, on how to properly use the products at home. They also have my cell number in case they have any questions. Here’s how to get the most out of your skincare product investment

Step 1. Cleanser

or you are not using the correct cleanser, it will throw everything else off. Your specific skin type will determine the type of cleanser that is right for you.
If your skin is dry/dehydrated, you will want to use a cleanser that is lotion type, creamy, non-foaming. Creamy cleansers remove the dirt while protecting the oil/water balance in the skin.
If you have an oily/acne skin type you will want to use a gel type cleanser. They will have certain ingredients in them to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation, also exfoliants such as AHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), or scrubbing beads.

Step 2. Toner

Toners are different from Astringents. Toners are essential for 3 reasons,
#1 they remove any excess residue left on by the cleansing, apply to a cotton pad and wipe down the face and neck. Even if the toner comes in a spray bottle, you want to spray it on a cotton pad.
#2 Toners maintain the PH Balance in the skin, some of them contain AHA’s such as Glycolic or Lactic Acid for a bit of exfoliation.  Astringents, on the other hand, contain harsh ingredients such as alcohol. Honestly, I would only recommend astringents to clean minor cuts or abrasions (as a disinfectant)
#3 Toners are mostly water, sometimes infused with gentle flower essences like rose or lavender. The water is left on the skin and locked in with the next step…(serums or moisturizers) If the toner is not locked in with something on top, the water will evaporate off the surface of the skin and terribly dehydrate the surface. So always follow up with a serum or moisturizer.

Step 3. Serum/Oil

. What’s special about serums is that they are thinner, lighter and the molecule structure is smaller making it easier and faster for it to penetrate into the skin. It’s able to go deeper than a moisturizer so you can really see results from these little powerhouses. Some of my favorite serums to use are Vitamin C (for brightening), Peptides (for tightening/firming) and Kojic Acid (for hyperpigmentation).

Step 4. Eye Cream

If I was stranded on a desert island and I could only have one product with me, it would be eye cream! The eye area is the first to show the signs of aging. The skin around the eyes is super thin, so the pores are very tiny and there is not much natural oil that is produced there, so this area dehydrates fast and wrinkles set in. We need to begin wearing eye cream in our 20’s and continue for the rest of our lives, 2x a day.
Eye creams also have a smaller molecule structure so it is able to penetrate the eye area’s tiny follicles. Apply a half pea sized amount around each eye on the bone (around the eye). Pat with your ring finger, this finger has the least amount of pressure, be gentle.

5. Moisturizer

Your skin type will determine the type of moisturizer you will use. The skin changes from season to season, so you want to make sure that you are adjusting your skin care regimen accordingly.
In the summertime, you may need to switch to a lighter more gel-like consistency moisturizer, but as the weather gets colder you will need to use something a bit heavier, more protective. In our 20’s we may still be fighting acne and an overproduction of oil so we will want to use moisturizers that hydrate but help to slow the oil production down.
As we age we need to begin to incorporate ingredients such as Peptides, AHA’s and Hyaluronic acid to maintain the hydration levels and prolong the aging process. Some of us are well over our 20’s but still fighting acne. This is mainly caused by diet (sugar and caffeine) and hormones. Being super aware of our eating habits will bring our skin into balance so that we can use moisturizers that will keep us looking youthful for a long time, instead of having to treat acne all the time.
 

6. Sunscreen

Last but definitely not least. Sunscreen is the last layer you put on your skin. I’m not really picky about sunscreens mostly because this layer doesn’t even really touch your skin and (over the counter) formulas have really improved over the years. It is just a protective barrier you layer on top of your serum and moisturizer.
You should be wearing at least a 30 SPF daily on the face. I’m not a fan of moisturizers that have sunscreen in them because I feel that it takes away the efficacy of each product. When you are using high-quality moisturizers, you want them to work the best they can without the interference of a sunscreen. So just take a good amount and pat onto the surface of your face and neck, right on top of the moisturizer, and your all set!
Are you using your products at home in the correct order? If not, I hope this gave you a bit more clarity on the order and what is important about each step.
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