Cosmetic procedures like skin needling from our Philadelphia-area practice can enhance your appearance, but you still need to be properly caring for your skin throughout the year with a good everyday routine. Establishing an effective skincare regimen can prevent the formation of wrinkles and protect against other forms of damage, such as the breakdown of collagen due to ultraviolet radiation exposure.
Even if you use all of the right products (chances are good that you already have a full set of moisturizers, cleansers, and similar items in your cabinet), the way you apply them matters. There’s no point in applying certain products if they can’t penetrate your skin.
Even though it might seem like it doesn’t matter, taking the extra time to ensure that you use your products in the correct way does make a difference. We need to allow active ingredients from our products to work directly on skin cells.
With this in mind, skincare layering refers to the application of layers of multiple skincare products in a specific order. See below for some tips on how to layer your skin products in the correct way to maximize their benefits.
Follow a Routine
Your morning and night routine should be somewhat different, but most steps are the same. Most specialists recommend always cleansing the skin first, then applying toner, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, facial oil, and lastly a high-SPF sunscreen in the morning and retinol at night.
Apply the Thinnest Serums First
Try to put your serums on in order of thinnest to thickest, so that the lighter, watery serums can reach your skin first without having to get through heavier creams. In fact, the same rule goes for other products as well: Lighter products should always be applied before heavier ones. The richer formulas help to keep all the nourishing ingredients sealed in. However, acid-based serums are the exception, as they should be applied before any of the others.
Avoid Certain Combinations
Always be cautious when applying strong active ingredients and ask a professional if you’re unsure whether it’s safe to combine them. For instance, using Vitamin C and alpha-hydroxy acids at the same time may cause irritation.
To learn more about strategies for maintaining youthful-looking skin, contact the team at Dr. Timothy Greco’s office. Call us at (610) 664-8830 or fill out a contact form to set up an appointment and find out which cosmetic treatments will help you achieve your cosmetic goals.
