When it comes to achieving healthy, glowing skin, how you apply your skincare can be just as important as what you apply. With so many serums, creams, oils, and treatments on the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But don’t worry…layering your skincare products doesn’t have to be complicated. In this post, I’ll walk you through the best order to apply your skincare, why it matters, and how to get the most out of every step in your routine…whether you’re using Oliveda waterless skincare or your own trusted favorites.
FAQs
- Do I need to wait between applying skincare products? In general, no need to wait long…but letting each layer absorb for 30 seconds to a minute can help prevent pilling, especially when using serums and moisturizers.
- Where do face oils go in my routine? Oils should always go after products like serums and before (or in place of) your moisturizer to lock in hydration.
- What if I use prescription products like tretinoin? Apply prescription treatments after cleansing and before any hydrating serums or moisturizers. You want them close to your skin for maximum effectiveness.
- What’s the most important step I should never skip? Cleansing and moisturizing are the bare minimum. But if you want glowier, healthier skin, adding a targeted serum is a game-changer…especially one packed with active ingredients that suit your skin’s needs.
- Should I layer more or less as I age? With age, our skin often needs more hydration and nourishment. Layering with intention…using concentrated, effective products…can help replenish and protect your skin without overdoing it.
What Type of Skincare Products to Use
This is where a lot of experts differ in opinions. As an aesthetician and as someone that appreciates simplicity, here are the top 3 things you should be doing daily:
- Cleanse
- Tone
- Moisturize
Does that mean that those steps are the only steps you should do? No. But it’s a great place to start. When starting a new skincare routine, starting simple will help you master the habit. And then you can add in other products and steps as you feel comfortable and confident.
Over time, here are other products and steps you can add to your routine:
- Serum
- Retinol
- Exfoliator
- Mask
- Eye cream
So, how do you layer all these products for the best results?? Look at the images below for guidance:
What Products Not to Layer
Skincare products can be very soothing and nourishing for your skin. But sometimes too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. For instance, using retinol every night can be too harsh for your skin. Here are other tips on what products not to layer or skincare don’ts to be aware of:
- Don’t layer retinol and a chemical exfoliator.
- Let vitamin C absorb really well into your skin before layering a serum.
- Don’t use vitamin C with a retinol or chemical exfoliator.
- Don’t use retinol every day and use only at night. (read more about retinol tips)
- Don’t exfoliate every day. (read more about exfoliating tips)
The Importance of Skin Cycling
Skin cycling is alternating the days you use active ingredients in your skincare routine. Examples of active ingredients are retinols, exfoliators, masks, and vitamin c. These are all great products for your skin but, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing!
The reason why alternating products is important is because using too many active ingredients can damage your skin barrier. For instance, a chemical exfoliator is great for sloughing off dead skin cells. If used too often, it can irritate your skin and harm your skin’s barrier. The same goes with retinol. Retinol helps promote cell turnover, unclogs your pores, and exfoliates the skin. But used too often, it can damage the skin.
Read more about skin cycling tips.
How to Layer Skincare Products for Morning
Your morning skincare routine should be really simple. Unless you have extremely oily skin or you got hot and sweaty from a workout, you really don’t need to wash your face with a cleanser. Simply rinse your face with warm water and a clean washcloth. Then you can do a few other steps. Here’s an idea:
- Rinse face with water
- Toner
- Serum (for example: vitamin C serum)
- Eye elixir or eye cream
- Moisturizer/sunscreen (you don’t need both)
You don’t want layers and layers of heavy products on your face in the morning. This will make you look greasy and will also affect the way your makeup applies and stays all day. Choose light products and only the essentials.
How to Layer Skincare Products for Nighttime
Now, your nighttime routine is a different story! It is totally acceptable to go to bed looking like a glazed donut! Haha! Layer on all the goodness at night so your skin can renew itself and work its magic while you sleep. Here’s an example of what to use and how to layer:
- Cleanser (twice! First time gets rid of the makeup and grim, second time truly cleans your face)
- Toner
- Serum
- Retinol (I LOVE natural retinols that come in an elixir form over the ones prescribed by dermatologists. They’re safer and gentler. See my faves HERE!)
- Eye cream
- Moisturizer
- And don’t forget your lips! This is my very favorite lip balm!
As your virtual beauty coach, I’m happy to help guide you to know the best products and techniques to give you happy, healthy, glowy skin! Click the button below to get my help!
Taking the time to apply your products in the correct order helps each one work more effectively and ensures your skin gets the maximum benefit. Whether your goal is hydration, glow, firmness, or all of the above, layering like a pro can make a noticeable difference. Start with what you have, keep it simple, and trust that consistency is the real secret to skin that looks and feels amazing…at any age.
Here are other blog posts you might enjoy:
- All About Seint Makeup
- Unlock Radiant Skin with Oliveda’s Skincare
- Feeling Stuck? Discover How “Meant for More” Inspires Confidence to Create Lasting Change
- Finished the Oliveda Skincare Quiz? Here’s Your Roadmap to Glowing, Healthy Skin
- Eyes of Youth: How the Right Eye Cream Can Turn Back Time
- Why Hydroxytyrosol is the Olive-Based Antioxidant Your Skin Needs
About the Author
JoEllen is a licensed aesthetician, certified makeup artist, and certified John Maxwell coach, speaker, and trainer. She works with women helping them look and feel confident. She loves teaching women simple beauty techniques so they can feel empowered to try it at home. Her motto is that when you look and feel good, you do good!
*This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase an item featured in this post, I get a small portion from the sale. Thank you! It does not affect you at all.
