A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Layer Your Skincare Products

You may have the basics of your skincare routine down, especially after reading our blog, The Ultimate Guide to Cleansing. However, the steps in between cleansing and applying your SPF, that’s where many get lost in the sea of skincare. There’s no point in having an envy inducing ‘shelfie’ of all of the best products (purchased from Face the Future of course), if you’re not applying them in the correct order to maximise their benefits. This blog is going to show you how it’s done, how you can apply and layer correctly to make the most out of your skincare products!

A Quick Recap on Cleansing

If you’re a regular and avid reader of our blog, then you’ll have read our blog all about cleansing. Here’s a brief recap before we go into the rest of your skincare routine.

Throughout the day, bacteria and pollution is drawn to your skin and if these aren’t thoroughly washed away, they can lead to congestion, breakouts and other skin issues. It’s especially important in our current times when we have to battle dreaded ‘maskne’ due to the daily wearing of face coverings, especially now we’re in lockdown 2.0! The best way to avoid this and keep skin clear, is by double cleansing.

If you haven’t heard about double cleansing before, it is pretty self-explanatory and believe it or not, includes two different forms of cleansing! The first cleanse is traditionally an oil or balm that breaks down makeup, oils, dirt and SPF. Once the first cleanse has been removed, you then follow with your water-based cleanser, such as a gel, which penetrates deeper into the pores to remove further impurities and suitably cleanse skin. Read our blog, The Ultimate Guide to Cleansing to find out more!

Choosing Your Skincare Products

Start by knowing your skin type. Is it dry, oily, sensitive or combination? The season, weather and hormones also come into play when selecting and using skincare. Perhaps you breakout more as the weather gets warmer? Or maybe you have a persistent patch of pigmentation? Identify your skin needs first, then begin to layer like a pro!

Light to Heavy

The general rule of thumb is to apply from the lightest to the heaviest consistency. Work from the thinnest and fastest absorbing product on your face first, followed by the next product with a heavier consistency over the top...and then the next. We always end with a sunscreen for our morning routine and generally an oil or moisturiser for an evening routine.

An Example of a Morning Routine

Below is an example of an ideal morning routine for normal skin. Interchange the products mentioned below for your own, or use as inspiration for the next time you are shopping online at Face the Future.

Cleanse

SkinCeuticals Simply Clean is perfect for normal, combination and oily skin types looking to heal, soothe, nourish and hydrate the skin. The unique blend of active ingredients, including a fruit acid blend, helps to refine and exfoliate skin by removing impurities, excess oils and make-up. This unique gel cleanser also efficiently removes waterproof makeup and excess oil, to leave skin feeling clean, smooth and radiant.

Tone

HydroPeptide’s Pre-Treatment Toner is an age-defying toner that works to balance and brighten your skin without causing irritation. It also helps to prepare your skin to receive your following skincare.

Eye cream

Mesoestetic Energy C Eye Contour combats the first signs of ageing, enhances luminosity and intensely moisturises the eye area with antioxidant-rich Vitamin C. This multi-tasking and energising eye cream delivers a cumulative anti-eye bag action that gradually erases signs of fatigue.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a great addition to most skincare routines as it delivers exceptional antioxidant properties, helping to protect skin cells from damaging free radicals caused by UV exposure. Our absolute favourite and best-selling Vitamin C serum is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic.

This powerful antioxidant serum works to protect skin against environmental damage, keeping it radiant and youthful. The blend of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and ferulic acid in this serum work far better than any single antioxidant alone, improving the appearance of multiple signs of ageing.

The most potent antioxidant in this serum is L-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), an excellent anti-inflammatory that can also improve the appearance of sun damage, even skin tone, strengthen skin barrier and encourage the production of healthy collagen.

Vitamin E and ferulic acid are effective antioxidants which, when combined with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, also help to protect the skin against UV and other environmental damage. This serum has a light consistency; remember we layer from light to heavy!

Moisturiser

An effective moisturiser to lock in all the hydration is a must on a daily basis! Some skin types can get away without using a heavy moisturiser, but the type of moisturiser you use can also change depending on the season. In summer, you want to keep it lightweight and in winter, some skin types will appreciate a heavier consistency to deliver more moisture and hydration. As we are heading into winter and working from home, let’s take a look at a super moisturiser to keep our complexions hydrated.

The Environ Focus Care Moisture+ Vita Complex Super Moisturiser provides 72-hour continuous hydration. This powerful yet lightweight moisturiser is particularly effective for users who have experienced dryness when using Vitamin A products. The rich, creamy formula contains antioxidants that soothe and protect skin from environmental stresses. This product is also ideal for people who work in air-conditioned environments.

Sunscreen

It is vitally important that you protect your skin with SPF! The sun emits UV damage through UVA and UVB rays. These can cause sunburn, premature ageing, wrinkles and in extreme cases, cancer.

Protect your skin with Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF 50. This has a unique oil-free dry touch texture. The formula contains advanced filters and a Bioshield System that provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA, UVB, visible light and IR-A (infrared radiation -A).

Enriched with Fernblock FC, Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF 50 contains powerful antioxidant activity and is supported by actives, which repair sun damage such as DNA damage and premature skin ageing.

The formula is also enriched with anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and sebum controlling technology, which makes it ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin. The oil-free and dry touch formulation reduces shine caused by humid climates, which means that it’s also ideal for normal, combination and oily skin types.

Those looking for a more hydrating SPF can opt for Heliocare 360 Water Gel SPF 50+. This high factor sunscreen in an intensely hydrating, water-based gel offers a completely clear finish, making it a great choice for people of colour.

Similar to the Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF 50, it also protects against UVA, UVB, visible light and infrared-A, as well as containing Fernblock FC to deliver powerful antioxidant activity.

Evening Routine

That’s your morning routine all sorted! Let’s move onto the evening routine...

Double cleanse

Double cleansing is simply using two cleansing products to remove all traces of makeup, dirt and impurities to get your face as clean as possible, in preparation for the rest of your skincare routine.

An oil-based cleanser removes makeup and impurities effectively. Try the Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil to remove all traces of makeup whilst reinforcing and replenishing skin’s natural defence barrier with essential lipids. The ultra-gentle oil cleanser is applied to dry skin and the silky, cashmere textured oil melts into skin to dissolve impurities and waterproof make-up.

When water is applied, the oil transforms into a milky emulsion and rinses away, leaving skin purified, supple, soft and radiant. You can then follow on with cleansing as normal with the SkinCeuticals Simply Clean as per the morning routine.

Eye cream

Use the same eye cream as your morning routine!

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a proven active ingredient that actually delivers visible anti-ageing benefits and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone and refines the surface of skin.

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3% is recommended for first-time retinol users thanks to the encapsulated pure retinol, which ensures maximum stability and improved skin tolerability. The 0.3% retinol cream accelerates cellular turnover to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, discolouration, blemishes and pores.

The potent night cream is exceptionally stable, delivering the 0.3% retinol at a steady, even release. Irritation is minimised thanks to soothing ingredients Bisabolol and Boswellia Serrata Extract.

Hailed as the most effective ingredient in anti-ageing, Vitamin A also helps to decongest pores and regulate sebum production.

Moisturiser

Lastly, before hitting the hay – and at least 15 minutes after you’ve applied your Vitamin A, a good moisturiser to lock in all the benefits and keep skin hydrated this winter!

CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion is a lightweight moisturiser formulated with three essential ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. These hydrating ingredients help to calm skin, providing it with much needed moisture and repairing skin’s protective barrier.

The formula is fragrance free, non-comedogenic (non-pore blocking) and is suitable for sensitive skin. CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion is also suitable for normal to dry skin as the ceramides and hyaluronic acid restore skin’s protective barrier.

Top Tips!

So now you’ve learnt to layer like a pro, here are a few tips to ensure you are on your way to your best skin.

Tip #1

As mentioned at the beginning of this blog, you must identify your skin needs first in order to ensure you’re applying the right ingredients for your skin. After cleansing and before applying your moisturiser, you can apply your active ingredients at this stage. This could be niacinamide to treat blemishes and breakouts or an exfoliating acid to increase cell turnover and brighten skin tone.

Tip #2

Listen to your skin and adapt your routine accordingly. If you’re noticing a little dryness, try skipping the Vitamin A on an evening and apply a hydrating serum such as Mesoestetic HA Densimatrix followed by your moisturiser.

Tip #3

An additional step may include a weekly face mask to draw out impurities, clear imperfections or to deliver much needed hydration.

For all the incredible products mentioned and more, shop online now! If you are looking for skincare advice, take our online skin test now and receive personalised product recommendations direct to your inbox!

Written for you by: Sanah, Face the Future

Image source: freepik.com