How to Layer Your Skincare Products
It’s time to layer up
A good skincare routine is not always about finding the best, most expensive serum that promises to turn back the clock. More often than not, a good skincare routine is about consistency. It’s about finding the products that you need, that fit into your budget, and using them in a way that brings out their best.
Now, if you’re new to the whole Korean 10-step skincare routine, the idea of a multi-step process just for your face might seem a little out there. What’s everything for? Why are there so many different products? Surely there’s a way to roll everything into one serum that you can slap on and be done with it.
For those who just want to cover the basics, all you really need is a good cleanser, moisturizer, and suncare in the day and a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer at night. These products will take care of the most basic needs of your skin, keeping it clean, moisturized, and protected from UV radiation which causes most of the effects of skin aging.
While there are skincare products that are made to cover the basics and do them well, there are also products formulated to address specific skin concerns. These concerns range from dull skin and hyperpigmentation to skin sagginess and acne scars. So then the question becomes how to integrate these products into your routine to get the most out of them.
Start with a clean slate
The first component of a good skincare routine is a clean base. Your cleansing ritual sets the tone for the rest of your skincare routine. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but it does need to be thorough. If you wear makeup, I’d recommend double cleansing to ensure that you get all the gunk off. I’m also going to be the bad guy and tell you that you should always wash your makeup off before going to bed - yes, even after a long night out. Always wash your makeup off - bacteria don’t take nights off.
My recommendation for a solid cleanser is the Green Tea Amino Hydrating Cleansing Foam which not only cleans the surface of your skin but does it without that drying “squeaky clean” feeling.
Layer by weight
A general rule of thumb when you’ve got multiple products in your skincare routine is to use them from the most watery consistency to the thickest. Watery products are formulated that way to be easy to absorb and thicker products usually have the job of sealing in all that goodness. If you start with a thicker product, you may lessen or even negate the effectiveness of your lightweight essence or serum.
A good example of a lightweight serum is the famous Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum which is formulated to be used immediately after cleansing. It contains triple layered encapsulated hyaluronic acid which is there to travel deep into your skin. If you use the moisture barrier strengthening Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Cream first, for example, you’ve stopped that hydrating HA from getting where it needs to go!
Target concerns
If you’ve got specific skincare concerns or “problem areas”, it’s a good idea to seek out products that can help to target those issues. My skin is generally okay for the most part, but the skin on my chin and my nasolabial area will sometimes flare up and take a long time to calm down. The way I address this is with a drop of the Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Serum applied just to those areas every morning after my toner. Over time, I’ve watched it help even out the appearance of my acne scars and the redness that I had kinda resigned myself to.
Suncare if you care
And I wouldn’t be doing my job here if I didn’t remind you that an absolutely essential, non-negotiable part of a proper skincare routine is suncare - especially if you’re using a vitamin C product in the morning! The sun is basically a skin-aging ray gun with mad-accurate sniping skills that hangs out in the sky. It’s not a matter of if it will damage your skin but when. If you care at all about your skin’s health, you’ve got to find a sunscreen you like and use it.
Your skincare routine doesn’t have to be super complicated for it to be effective. Be consistent in caring for it, be thoughtful in the products you choose and use, and be observant about any changes in your skin that may require changes in your lineup.
You got this!
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Gi