You’ve got all your beauty potions at the ready– anti-oxidants, hydrating toners, exfoliating acids, renewing retinol, and more– but now you’ve to find out how to layer your skin care items the right way. There’s a correct order of operations you need to follow, and you must likewise know all the key rules about which ingredients play well together and which don’t mix well at all. We’re simplifying everything for you right here, right now.
Tips for Layering Skin Care
No doubt you’ve got more than a couple of items on hand, so what’s the right order to apply your skin care? Follow this specialist guidance to nail your regular each time.

Apply From Thinnest to Thickest
When using skin care, the principle is to apply each product in order from thinnest consistency to thickest.

” Each item has a molecular weight to it, so you want to start with the smallest and end with the biggest,” states Dhivya Srinivasa, MD FACS, a double board-certified cosmetic surgeon. “This is how you make sure that the active ingredients are in fact penetrating your skin and you are getting the benefits of each product you are utilizing.”

Follow this order (if you don’t utilize some of these products, skip them):.

Cleanser.
Toner.
Serum.
Eye cream.
Emulsion.
Light-weight moisturizer.
Heavier moisturizer.
Sun block.
Wait Between Each Layer.
Ensure to offer each product sufficient time to take in before moving onto the next. Typically speaking, this varies from as little as 15 seconds to a minute or 2. Lightweight products– like toners and serums– tend to soak up more quickly, Dr. Srinivasa states. Heavier moisturizers tend to sit on top of the skin, which is why we apply them last.

Stay With One Active.
You must preferably just use one active component per skin care session and layer it with relaxing, nourishing active ingredients. Dr. Srinivasa states that this is definitely one of the biggest errors she sees individuals make when layering skin care items.

” If you are worried about acne, for instance, it makes a lot of sense to utilize a salicylic acid serum. If you continue to layer drying ingredients without following with a humectant, you will irritate your skin even more and likely delay the recovery of your acne.”.

If you want to target numerous skin issues– say, acne and anti-aging– you ‘d utilize one active in your morning routine (like salicylic acid) and one in your evening routine (like retinol). Alternatively, you can alternate active components every day or two.

Sun Block Always Goes Last.
In the daytime, sun block is always the end product you ought to use before makeup. This ensures it works as needed to shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays. You can reapply later in the day with a spray or powder item that doesn’t disrupt your makeup.

Keep it Simple.
It’s appealing to use the whole alphabet of skin care ingredients, but really consider what your concerns are and focus on those. You can always alter it up later on, however it’s finest to keep things basic and not overwhelm your skin. When in doubt, prioritize nourishing, moisturizing active ingredients that reinforce your skin barrier and use active ingredients moderately, Dr. Srinivasa recommends. This also helps your actives carry out much better!

Skin Care Ingredients You Shouldn’t Mix Together.
The general rule when layering skin care products is to adhere to one active component per application session to ensure you do not aggravate your skin. That said, ensure to prevent combining these skin care ingredients (unless they’re expertly developed that method).

AHAs and other AHAs or BHAs.
AHAs/BHAs and enzymes.
Retinol and AHAs or BHAs.
Retinol and vitamin C.
Benzoyl peroxide and AHAs/BHAs/Enzymes.
Benzoyl peroxide and retinol.
Hydroquinone and AHAs/BHAs/Enzymes.
Hydroquinone and retinol.
Oil-based items with water-based items (these don’t blend well).
Numerous silicone-heavy items (this produces pilling).
Skin Care Ingredients That Pair Well Together.
This isn’t an extensive list, but here are some skin care components that typically pair magnificently together. Generally speaking, moisturizing/soothing active ingredients paired with actives is the ideal way to layer skin care items.

Hyaluronic acid and AHAs/BHAs/enzymes.
Hyaluronic acid and retinol.
Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Ceramides and AHAs/BHAs/enzymes.
Ceramides and retinol.
Ceramides and niacinamide.
Vitamin C and sunscreen.
Vitamin C and ferulic acid.
Vitamin C and niacinamide.