Believe it or not, the order you apply your skin care products does make a difference in the long run. It is recommended that serums are applied before moisturizers for a variety of reasons. Applying serums first allows the skin to absorb the rest of the products that follow, such as moisturizers that are typically applied at the very end. Serums tend to have thin gel like formulas while moisturizers are much thicker and usually contain oil. Since oil repels water, the active ingredients in the serum will not absorb into the skin if applied after moisturizer. Additionally, serums target in parts of the skin that need repair such as reducing sun damage, soothing dry or flaky skin, reducing hyperpigmentation, and treating acne. If moisturizer is applied before serum it will essentially reduce the overall effectiveness of the serum.
Despite your skin type, the order of your skin care is relatively the same. When you wake up, you want to start off with a cleanser, then moisturizer, and lastly but most importantly sunscreen. Your nighttime routine at the minimum should include a cleanser followed by moisturizer. There are people who like to incorporate facial oils to help seal in moisture. It is best to apply facial oils at night since they leave your face looking shiny. When choosing a serum, you want to cater it to your skin type. There are serums for all skin types whether you have normal, dry, oily, or combination skin. Look at the ingredients on the label and do some research on which is suitable for your skin. Serums can contain an array of active ingredients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, niacinamide, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), beta hydroxyl acid (BHA), hyaluronic acid, and peptides. When choosing a serum to incorporate into your skin care routine make sure that it doesn’t incorporate too many active ingredients at once especially if you have sensitive skin.
Like mentioned previously, it is essential to know what each active ingredient’s purpose is. For example, Vitamin A promotes collagen production, minimizes fine lines, reduces pore size treats acne, reduces scarring and evens skin tone and texture. Vitamin C helps brighten skin and reduces hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide helps reduces inflammation, minimizes pores, reduces oil production and water loss from the skin. AHA helps remove dead skin cells increases cell turnover can hyperpigmentation. BHA removes dead skin cells, unblocks pores treats acne and reduces oil production. Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture, plumps the skin, and helps reduce fine lines. Peptides encourage the production of collagen and help reduce the signs of aging. Although these active ingredients can benefit your skin, there’s also a possibility for side effects to occur. Some side effects may include itching, tingling, irritation, increased sensitivity to UV light, or peeling. The best way to choose the right product for you is by learning more about how ingredients work together to produce a desired result.
