Most of us use more than one — if not many — skin care products including serums, eye gels, under-eye serums, moisturizers, skin treatments, and sunscreens.
The question is how do we know which products to use first and then, which products next?
The short answer for how to layer skin care products is:
Thinnest to Thickest
Thinnest to thickest is the most effective and easiest way to remember how to layer your skincare products.
Eye Gel or Eye Cream
Start with your Eye Gel or Eye Cream
In most cases, you won’t be applying anyother products around the eye area, so start here.
Next move on to serums.
Serums or Specialty Oils
Start with your serums or specialty oils.
If using more than one, choose the thinnest first.
Observe how the serum drops out of the dropper, how it looks and feels in the palm of your hand.
Use the thinnest one first which may be Vitamin C as an example.
There is no need to let serums dry completely, next apply your Moisturizer.
Thicker serums are more viscous (thick) and may be slightly sticky.
Allow each serum to sink in (just a minute or so) before applying the next serum or product.
Moisturizer
Apply your moisturizer over serums you are using to lock in the moisture.
Good moisturizers are designed to seal in the serum ingredients.
SPF
If using a separate SPF product, this would go over the other products.
Keep in mind that some serums are sun sensitive and if you are planning to spend the day in the sun be aware of your sun sensitive products.
Overall Product Routine:
- Cleanse/Exfoliate
- Toner to remove cleanser residue and makeup
- Hydrate/Repair (serums)
- Moisturize
- Protect with Sunscreen or SPF
Summary for How to Layer Skin Care Products
- Rule of Fun for Skin Care Products: Thinnest to Thickest
- Start with cleansing, exfoliating.
- Apply that eye gel or eye cream.
- Follow with a toner to remove any cleansing residue.
- Work with repairing with serums.
- Seal in the serums with a moisturizer.
- Protect with Sunscreen.