6 Rules For Layering Your Skin-Care Products

Instead of just slapping on a bunch of products ? and then immediately wanting to wash your face because your face feels all gooey ? follow this application advice.

 

1. Start light. Serums?the thinnest products?go first, because (it just makes sense and) they deliver active ingredients into the skin most efficiently.

2. Add an antioxidant. Vitamin C is one product that every skin-type can benefit from. “It brightens, protects against sun damage, and promotes collagen production,” says treatment provider Briana Potito, who recommends using a serum such as SkinCeuticals’ award-winning C E Ferulic serum to help prevent sun-damage.

3. Take a break. Give each product a minute to dry, so it won’t pill when you apply the next. (You can work all kinds of extraneous morning activities into this; for example I brush my teeth and apply Latisse in between skincare product application.)

4. Lock it down. Moisturizer is key to any layering routine because it helps seal moisture into your skin, which will make all of your other skincare products (and cosmetic products) go on smoother. Feel free to keep it basic: Try Porification Moisturizer for normal and oily skin and Enriched Moisturizer for dry skin.

5. Know when to go in reverse. If your sensitive skin reddens at the thought of using even one harsh treatment product, try putting on a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer first and then serums on top. By applying a soothing product first, the potency of the aggressive product will be cut-down and less likely to cause irritation.

6. Don’t forget protection. Sunscreen should be your last skincare step in the morning. Once your sunscreen has had time to dry, you are welcome to move onto your regular makeup application.