Correct Order & Timings of Applying Skincare Products

1. Correct Order & Timings of Applying Skincare Products There is a right order using skincare products that you probably have been ignoring. As SkincarebyAlana notes, up to 37 % of ladies do not follow the correct sequence when applying skincare products. If you use several skincare products, you must follow the right process and use an elaborate plan. While the products may appear to do a related function, share some ingredients, and all go to the face, the wrong application sequence can pose several risks. First, it can irritate your face and secondly, you will be interfering with the effectiveness of most products resulting wastage.

2. There are two programs to follow, the morning program and the afternoon program. Here is a look at what is the recommended plan for each time of the day. The Morning Routine The morning routine involves more items since it is when you are dressing up for the day. You have more products for protective and aesthetic purposes. Much emphasis should be in preventing dehydration as well as shielding yourself from the sun. A basic morning routine will consist of; •A cleanser to remove all grime, dirt, and residue that had built overnight. •A moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated the whole day •A sunscreen product to block the UV and UAV rays. Detailed Morning Routine A comprehensive morning routine will have you start with a splash of clean water on your face. After that, you get to bring the cleansers. The purpose here as Cosmopolitan explains is to get a grease-free surface which allows the various helpful ingredients to be absorbed in the skin.

3. Cleansers The first skincare product is an oil-based cleanser. It is the first type of two solvents available with the other being a water-based cleanser. The oil-based cleanser helps you breakdown the body's oils to clean the surface. Find out if the product requires a wet or dry skin before applying it. Massage the oil in the skin thoroughly before rinsing your face with clean water and drying it up. Should you want to double cleanse or if your oil cleanser was primarily oil, you can apply the water cleanser whose surfactants will help remove any dirt or oils brought up by the first cleansing. You massage on wet skin and rinse thoroughly before drying off. Toner and Astringent

4. Toners had come a long way from a time when they were regarded as irritating, to the present moment where they are one of the essential hydrating agents. Besides helping with hydration, they help clear up clogged pores and remove any dead cells left on the skin. For those with acne, using a toner containing either an alpha hydroxyl acid or beta hydroxyl acid will help dissolve blackheads and clear pores and prevent further breakouts. You can also use an astringent though people with dry skin should avoid it. You apply them over dry skin by tapping or using a cotton pad and wiping on the face outwardly. Serums Serums are some of the most confused and misunderstood skincare products. Chances are high; you hardly use them if you have them. According to Dermstore.com, they are one of the vital protective agents. Serums are made of highly concentrated ingredients, including Vitamins E and C, which are powerful natural antioxidants. You should also find the ones containing ingredients like caffeine and green tea. Antioxidant serums are great for use during the day as they protect the skin against damage from free radicals, and also help in improving the skin texture and firmness. Apply a few drops of the serum on the face and neck. Spot Treatment This next step is only necessary if you have a blemish with a head that you want to treat. After using the antioxidant in the earlier stage to remove it, swab the area with cotton and apply the spot treatment product. Please leave it to dry before moving to the next item. Eye Cream

5. Eye cream products, while not being permanent solutions can help brighten and firm up the area around the eyes. Due to their thinness and sensitivity, these areas tend to be prone to aging symptoms like darkening and puffiness and fine lines. The eye creams also smoothen the areas. Some moisturizers and serums are good enough for this so you may skip this step if you feel so. However, if you have a specific product, apply a small amount in the area using the ring finger. Light Face Oil Lighter products are applied earlier as they are easily absorbed. Lighter face oils help for skin that is dry, readily dehydrated, and shows signs of flakiness. It is an optional step but adequate for the above issues, especially with the right oil for your skin. Rub a small amount of the oil on your hand before lightly applying it on your face. Moisturizer The moisturizer serves to soften and sooth the skin. The kind of moisturizer depends on your skin. Drier skins are better served with creams and balms while the oily skins need gels and liquids. Normal and combination skins can go for thicker creams. Find moisturizers that contain glycerin, peptides, and antioxidants. Apply the moisturizer on the cheeks first before the rest of the face. Heavier Face Oil You may not need this step unless your skin still feels dry, or is prone to getting dehydration as the day goes by. Oils applied at this pint generally take much time to absorb and feel thick. People with oily skin are better off without this step unless you did no use the lighter face oils. They come last to seal all the nutrients and moisture set in the earlier stages. Sunscreen Applying sunscreen is the final step for skincare in the morning just before you start with your makeup or choose to go without any. The sunscreen keeps your face and skin safe from harmful

6. sunrays reducing your risk of cancer. It also helps prevent aging effects that come with constant exposure to the sun. The American Cancer Society advises that you use a sunscreen that has a rating of SPF 30 or higher. You need to apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you step out. You should also never use any other skincare product on top of the sunscreen to prevent it from being diluted and losing effectiveness. The Evening Routine Healthline advises that the night skincare routine should be aimed at restoring the skin from any damage caused by the thicker products or the sun during the day. They also recommend nighttime for the use of products that increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. At night, there is no risk of the sun harming the exposed surface. A basic evening routine can be used if you did not have so many products on your face, and you do not plan on plenty of treatments. Such a process would have •A makeup remover •A cleanser •Spot treatment •A sleep mask A detailed routine has more steps from cleansing to treatments. Here is the right order of skincare treatment at night.

7. A Makeup Remover As with the morning routine, you have two options of cleansers, an oil-based one, or water- based one. If you are going to do double cleansing, start with the oil-based one and finish with the water-based one. If you do not wear makeup or have oily skin, then the water-based cleanser is enough. The advantage of oil-based cleansers is their ability to breakdown the oily ingredients of most makeup products along with the oil produced by the skin. Exfoliator An exfoliator helps you to remove dead skin cells on the face while leaving the pores clear. The only risk is that they can absorb excess oil leaving the skin vulnerable. For this reason, exfoliation should not be done daily but once or twice a week. Apply the mask on affected areas and leave for the duration recommended in the instructions. After that, rinse with warm water and dry with a towel. You can skip the process if your face is irritated.

8. Hydrating Mist or Toner The idea is to cleanse your skin further while at the same time moisturizing it. It is the last cleaning step in the nighttime routine. Find mists or toner products that have ingredients like lactic acid and glycerin for higher moisture content. Acid Treatment If you do not have reactive skin, especially towards a specific acid, then you can make acid treatment part of your routine. It has the benefit of boosting cell regeneration. Depending on the acid you use, the treatment can also help you combat acne. Some of the acids you want to look for include hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid You can start with it on a couple of times a week before making it a daily routine if you want. Test the reaction of your skin to the acid on a patch before applying to the face. Even then, please do not use it on the eye area. As already described in the daytime routine, serums provide a high concentration of nutrients directly to the skin. The different nutrients serve various functions. For example, Vitamin E helps with dry skin, Vitamin C, and retinol help deals with skin breakouts while antioxidants besides fighting inflammation help brighten up a dull complexion. Apply the products by pressing them in the skin with your hands. If you are layering several serums, start with the water-based ones first then oil-based ones.

9. Spot Treatment If you have blemishes or spots which have heads, you can redo the spot treatment process at night. Place a small amount of the product on top of the spot and leave to dry. Hydrating Mask Hydrating masks add further moisture to the skin and are an essential part of the routine. They add moisture without clogging the pores. If they are designed to be left overnight, they should come at the end of everything. Eye Cream Eye creams help clear the fine lines and rejuvenate the skin tissue around the eyes from tiredness. As mentioned, find products with a high concentration of antioxidants and peptides for effectiveness. Amount a small amount of the cream around the eye area and dab it in gently. You can skip the step if your moisturizer or serum is safe to use around the eyes. Face Oil For dry skin or one prone to dehydration after a couple of hours, a nighttime oil can do plenty of wonders. If you use face oil during the night, it should be the last thing you apply for better results. Thicker oils can be saved for nighttime since there is no worry over a shiny face. Apply a few drops lightly on the face and leave overnight. Sleeping Mask

10. The final step is optional and depends whether you have used a face oil or not. A sleeping mask seals all other products in and contains moisturizing agents, and it is kept overnight. You also have the option of applying on a night cream instead. Most night creams help in cell repair and still contain enough moisturizing agents. The choice is yours to pick what works best for you. Timing of skincare products You must space your products to allow each sufficient time to be absorbed and act on the skin. The recommended time is five to thirty minutes, and most products have instructions on how long they should be left on the face before adding another. This sequence guide seeks to cover most skincare products. Thus it may be too long for you. You do not have to apply every single item here as most may be serving the same purpose. Just ensure the products come before each other as outlined here. Conclusion Skincare products help you keep your face in good condition and protect it against dehydration and the harmful effects of the sun rays. They come in many types for various purposes from cleaning, removing spots, providing sunscreen to adding glitter to your face. To ensure they do their function and give you the desired results, following the right application order is imperative. It will also help you prevent any cases of skin irritation as a result of mixing up the layering. _________________________________________________________________

11. About The Author Dr. Bibhudatta Mishra is a Vision Neuroscientist and has worked in world’s premier eye institutes: National Institute of Health, USA, and Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, USA. He is the founder and scientific consultant of showGlamour and its sister company Le Mirch. Connect to Dr.Mishra @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bibhudattamishra/