{"id":111064,"date":"2022-04-12T14:26:34","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T14:26:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dermatica.co.uk\/skinlab\/how-to-layer-my-products\/"},"modified":"2022-09-22T08:37:40","modified_gmt":"2022-09-22T08:37:40","slug":"how-to-layer-your-skincare-products","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dermatica.co.uk\/skinlab\/how-to-layer-your-skincare-products\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Layer Your Skincare Products"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

You\u2019ve invested in some great skincare. Now what?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For skincare to be effective, several factors need to be in place. In this post, we\u2019ll look at one of the most important aspects of any skincare routine: how to layer your products, or what order to apply them in. There are lots of different opinions out there on what order, when and how to apply products. We\u2019ll be breaking down the science behind our suggestions so you can make an informed decision on how to layer your own routine.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Before we look at layering\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

We mentioned that you need to get a few things in order before your skincare products start working for you. Firstly, you need the right products for your skin. Sure, everyone you know may be excited about a new moisturiser or a cool cleansing hack, but that doesn\u2019t mean it will work for you. Pick your products according to your skin\u2019s needs \u2013 ideally, get a dermatology specialist\u2019s input, so you know you\u2019re going in the right direction.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For sensitive skin<\/strong>, we recommend looking for products without any essential oil or perfumes, as these are known irritants.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For dry skin<\/strong>, we recommend choosing a light cleanser, and moisturisers that are especially developed to provide extra hydration \u2014 look out for ingredients like ceramides and pro vitamin B5. Hyaluronic acid serums are also helpful for hydrating the skin, and can be used with your Dermatica treatment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For oily skin<\/strong>, it\u2019s best to seek out lightweight, non comedogenic moisturisers and sunscreens, and avoid products that feature lanolin, shea butter or coconut oil, all of which can clog up oily skin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Next, you should try to limit the number of products you use; this will vary depending on your skin type, but it\u2019s important to remember that when it comes to skincare, less <\/em>is normally more. Using too many products can strip the skin and damage its moisture barrier; plus, the use of multiple actives at once can cause harmful reactions (Vitamin C with acids is a no-no, for example, as is mixing retinoids with targeted acne treatments like salicylic acid). Basically, if you think you\u2019re <\/em>overwhelmed by a 30-step regimen, imagine how your poor skin feels! Taking it back to basics sometimes gives your skin a chance to rest and regenerate. Once your skin evens out and gets used to your treatment, you can slowly add other products back into your routine if you want to, but be patient and don\u2019t add everything back in at once. Slow and steady wins the race!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

That being said, it is important to stick<\/em> to a simple routine, morning and night, to make sure your products get the chance to work for you. By sticking to it, you\u2019re improving your skin\u2019s health; and once you\u2019ve got your perfect products, (whether you\u2019ve found two or three, or you\u2019re sticking to a ten-step programme) layering them properly is absolutely essential.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Let\u2019s talk layering<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The number one rule of any skincare routine is to start with a cleanse. In the morning, you cleanse to rid your skin of the sweat and bacteria that builds up overnight, whereas in the evening, you\u2019re getting rid of everything from your makeup to the dirt and oil we pick up from pollution. If you don\u2019t start by cleansing the skin, the rest of your routine will be unable to penetrate these layers of particles, and the subsequent products you apply won\u2019t benefit you; instead, you might even find they cause skin issues like acne and irritation to arise.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Active ingredients should be applied after you cleanse so that they can effectively reach your skin; so, if you have any blemishes, a spot treatment containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide<\/a> can be used prior to the rest of your products. After that, a great rule of thumb is to go by how thick your treatments are \u2013 thinnest first, building up \u2013 so light, silky serums go before thicker night creams, for example.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

When it comes to applying retinoids, there are benefits to applying them at various points in your routine. Some dermatologists recommend applying them straight after you cleanse; others say you can wait until after you moisturise. A couple of things are certain, however: you should apply them to dry skin<\/strong>, as moisture enables the retinoid to penetrate deeper which can cause irritation; and you should incorporate them at night<\/strong>, as retinoids like tretinoin are broken down and become less effective when exposed to sunlight.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

So, what does a good routine look like?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Once you\u2019ve established a routine, what you do in the morning and evening will probably look a little different. Here\u2019s what we recommend.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Good morning! <\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n