How To Correctly Order Your Skincare Products (AM + PM)

How To:

CORRECTLY ORDER YOUR SKINCARE PRODUCTS (AM + PM)

Get the most out of your skincare products by applying them in the correct order. Use this guide to ensure your products are in the correct order in your skincare routine, and make sure you know exactly which ingredients you can mix and which should NEVER be mixed.

Why Does The Order Of My Skincare Routine Matter?

Basically, when it comes to slathering stuff on your skin, how quickly it gets absorbed depends on how thick it is. The size of the molecule makes the product absorb quicker or slower. Think about sand and stones at the beach. The sand will fall through the gaps between your fingers quicker because they’re smaller. The thinner the product, the quicker it sinks in. So, always remember to start with the thinnest products and work your way up to the thickest. Keep this graphic handy to save yourself from any skincare mishaps!

the correct order for applying your skincare products. Mist/sprays, water-like products, gels and thicker serums, oil-based products, cream products, SPF.

PS: You don’t need to wait for these products to dry in-between application (unless it’s retinol or vitamin C).

KEEP READING TO LEARN HOW TO CORRECTLY LAYER YOUR A.M. AND P.M. SKINCARE PRODUCTS.

Layering and Mixing Ingredients In Your Routine

When applying your skincare products, it’s important to avoid combining certain ingredients together in the same routine. Some of these warnings are not always made clear on the packaging, which means you might accidentally mix ingredients that could irritate your skin. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of accidental pairings. Usually, I try to keep it simple, and only use 1 ‘working’ product per AM and PM routine. For instance, I’m currently implementing retinol back into my night-time routine. Currently, I don’t use any other ingredients in the evening that could over exfoliate my skin. It goes like this:

oil-cleanse > GENTLE, foaming cleanser > DRY SKIN > RETINOL > MOISTURISE TWICE

It’s important to remember that cell turnover products like retinol can become more potent when applied to damp skin. It’s always recommended to apply retinol and HA’s to DRY SKIN. However, if you find that retinol is too harsh for your skin, you could try applying eye cream and moisturiser to your skin first, and then applying a pea-sized amount of retinol. This should lessen the irritation from the retinol. Gradually, you should be able to apply before moisturiser. Always apply a pea-sized amount of retinol to your skin.

I could easily layer all my products in my skincare routine according to the diagram above, but since retinol is a ‘working’ product (meaning that it’s actively changing or penetrating my skin when it’s applied) I tend to not mix it with other ingredient that do the same. ALWAYS err on the side of caution. If you aren’t sure whether you can layer product X and product Y, it’s probably best not to. And remember, never introduce two or more new products to your skin at one time. If one of these products causes a reaction, you’ll have a hard time trying to figure out exactly which one is causing the irritation. Not only that, but you will have to now take care of an issue that wasn’t there before. Not worth the risk!

Don’t double up on the same ingredients.

Doubling up on the same active ingredient could potentially cause EXTREME irritation due to the increased strength. Don’t double up on AHA’s, BHA’s or PHA’s, however some people might be able to layer a combination of the two, such as an AHA and PHA for instance. I would only recommend to double up if you’ve been using one of these for over 6 months and you can use it regularly without irritation. ONLY THEN is it possible for you to introduce the layering of 2 different ingredients. However, it really is best to keep it simple by learning which acid your skin prefers. And don’t forget, there are some ingredients you SHOULD NEVER MIX. More on that further down.

Wanna learn which is best for you?

‘HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ACID FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE’

coming on the 8th of October!

My oily, acne prone skin LOVES BHA’s the best. Salicylic Acid is a type of BHA, which can be found in my holy grail: ‘Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant’. I usually apply this by pouring the product directly into my hands and patting it onto my skin before going to bed. I sometimes use a cleanser containing salicylic acid, but never before using my BHA liquid exfoliator. Same rule applies for SA found in moisturisers. I personally wouldn’t use a moisturiser containing BHA whilst knowingly using liquid BHA in the same routine. I prefer opting for a non-occlusive (non-clogging), lightweight, gentle moisturiser, instead.

The *Correct* Order For Your AM Skincare Routine Goes Like This:

for oily skin

  • Dampen face with water
  • Use a gentle cleanser and cleanse only ONCE.
  • Dampen face with water or mist
  • Apply liquid products (toners and watery serums – if you use vit C in liquid form, apply it here)
  • Apply thicker serums or gel like products (you can layer multiple here but apply thinnest to thickest!)
  • I would not recommend oil-based products for oily skin.
  • If you use eye cream, apply it now or after…
  • Moisturiser (double up, make it a lightweight one!)
  • SPF 30+ or 50+

for dry skin

  • Dampen face with water
  • Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser and cleanse only ONCE.
  • Dampen face with water or mist
  • Apply liquid products (toners and watery serums)
  • Apply thicker serums or gel like products (you can layer multiple here but apply thinnest to thickest!)
  • Apply your oil-based products, such as a vitamin C here, after gels and creams.
  • If you use eye cream, apply it now, or after…
  • Moisturiser (double up!)

The *Correct* Order For Your PM Skincare Routine Goes Like This:

FOR OILY SKIN

  • Apply oil-based cleanser to DRY skin to remove makeup, oil and dirt build-up from the day.
  • Use a gentle, foaming cleanser as your second cleanse.
  • DRY YOUR FACE.
  • Apply (water-based) retinol here.
  • AVOID vitamin C (it’s a day-time ingredient)
  • AVOID AHA’s, BHA’s, and PHA’s when using Retinol
  • AVOID products containing Benzoyl Peroxide when using Retinol
  • AVOID any exfoliating products when using Retinol
  • Dampen skin with water spray or mist
  • Apply thicker serums or gel-like products (you can layer multiple here but apply thinnest to thickest! You can also mix Hyaluronic Acid with Retinol)
  • Moisturiser (double up – thinnest to thickest!)

Avoid using oil-based products after cleansing. An oil or balm cleanser is perfectly fine to use.

FOR DRY SKIN

  • Apply cleanser to DRY skin to remove makeup, oil and dirt build-up from the day. You can mix cream and oil, balm and cream, whatever you want. Even dry skin has to cleanse.
  • Avoid using a foaming cleanser entirely.
  • Dampen face with water spray or mist.
  • AVOID vitamin C (it’s a day-time ingredient)
  • Apply watery serums or essences.
  • Apply gels and thicker serums.
  • LET SKIN DRY.
  • Apply (oil-based) retinol here or other oil-based products here.
  • AVOID AHA’s, BHA’s, and PHA’s if using Retinol
  • AVOID products containing Benzoyl Peroxide when using Retinol
  • AVOID any exfoliating products when using Retinol
  • Moisturiser (double up – thinnest to thickest!)

Now, here comes the tricky bit. There are many ingredients you shouldn’t mix. You can read more about that here. However if you do want to use an AHA, BHA or PHA, I recommend alternating between your chosen acid and Retinol in the evenings. You should build up your tolerance to combining these acids and Retinol, but I wouldn’t recommend mixing any of the following with each other within the same routine: AHA, BHA, or PHA WITH Retinol or Vitamin C AND definitely don’t mix Vitamin C and Retinol (they can be used separately in the AM vs. PM).

Alternating between acids and Retinol each night is the safest option for minimal irritation, however if you are new to either, consider taking a break every other night. For instance, on Monday you can use Retinol if you didn’t use either the previous night, then on Tuesday take a break, on Wednesday you could use either AHA, BHA or PHA (not all three!), on Thursday you can take a break and on Friday you can use Retinol again. If you are completely new to these ingredients, you do not need BOTH an HA (hydroxy acid) or a Retinol in your skincare. Pick one – most people recommend retinol – and keep it simple.

Screenshot + save these so you never miss a step!

the correct way to layer your skincare products (AM routine for oily and dry skin.)
the correct way to layer your skincare products (PM routine for oily and dry skin.)

Now That You Know The Correct Order For Your Skincare Routine…

You should find that you skin isn’t as irritated, something that is usually caused by a mix of chemicals that don’t go together. Likewise, implementing this routine gives your skin a chance to absorb the ingredients properly and maximise the results of the skincare you spend your precious coins on. If you knew you were applying your skincare incorrectly, and wasting your money, you’d want to know, right?

As a rule of thumb, if you aren’t sure whether to mix certain ingredients, DON’T MIX THEM. It’s just not worth the risk, babe.

And don’t forget, you can ALWAYS google your products and see what other’s have said. If you have any questions about products, leave a comment or send me a dm on Instagram (i’ll reply much faster there!) because I’m always here to help you out.

Lot’s of love, as always,

Kate, xo

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