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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAccording to Hope Mitchell, MD, FAAD<\/a>, the founder and CEO of Mitchell Dermatology in Perrysburg, Ohio, skincare order is really all about making sure the products reach your skin and work to their fullest potential. \u201cIf you\u2019re using products out of order, you might run the risk of improper absorption, and then you won\u2019t have the efficacy that you\u2019re looking for,\u201d she explains. For instance, if you were to apply a heavy cream and then a serum<\/a> on top, the dermatologist says it\u2019s very unlikely that the serum is going to be able to penetrate through the cream and reach the skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n And if these products aren\u2019t able to absorb into the skin, Dr. Mitchell says they end up losing their efficiency. \u201cIf you\u2019re putting on products and they can\u2019t penetrate into the pores and skin, then they\u2019re not going to be effective.\u201d (If you just blew your last paycheck at Sephora, your ears probably just perked up!) Dr. Mitchell also notes that skincare products are made to be layered and applied with the proper application times. \u201cIt\u2019s always best to wait up to a minute before applying the next product.\u201d Essentially, this is because you want them to fully absorb into the skin and avoid pilling off.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n Another factor to take into consideration is the texture of your products. Christina Weng, MD<\/a>, a Harvard-trained board-certified dermatologist, says a good rule of thumb is to apply products from the lightest texture to the heaviest. Like Dr. Mitchell notes above, this philosophy really helps with ingredient absorption and penetration as well as locking products in. \u201cTypically, you\u2019ll start first with a serum or toner after cleansing \u2014 [these are] your liquid products,\u201d she notes. \u201cNext, you\u2019ll move on to your thicker serums or lotions, and then creams.\u201d Finally, you\u2019ll put on your thickest product, like vaseline or ointment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n On top of products not accurately absorbing, messing up the proper skincare order can also come with irritation<\/a>, says Dr. Mitchell. \u201cThere could be people who experience skin irritation, or you might even get those products to clump on top of the skin,\u201d the expert explains. \u201cI\u2019ve noticed it myself where I\u2019ve applied products I shouldn\u2019t have together\u2014I\u2019ll put one on and then the second one on and notice that little fine clumping.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n Adding to that, Dr. Weng says there are some ingredients that when combined, might not be as effective or can be bothersome to the skin. \u201cFor example, combining a lot of different acids with a strong retinol<\/a> carries a higher risk of irritation,\u201d she says. \u201cOr if you layer a benzoyl peroxide with vitamin C, that can inactive it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n As new formulas are hitting the shelves daily, putting together a skincare routine can feel overwhelming. But, there is a core collection of products that should be used, no matter your skin type. Keep reading to see what these experts recommend implementing into your regimen.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter what, washing your face<\/a> should always<\/em> be the first step in your routine. You\u2019ll want to remove any makeup, excess oil, dirt, and pollutants (even if you can\u2019t see them.) When it comes to cleanser ingredients, Dr. Mitchell says to look out for alpha-hydroxy acids<\/a> (AKA, AHAs) that promote cellular turnover<\/a>, especially glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and mandelic acid. \u201cNow, products are able to do multiple things,\u201d she notes. \u201cIf you can have a cleanser that can be gentle enough and incorporate glycolic acid, you have stepped up that cleanser into not needing to use a traditional exfoliator as often.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Toner is an optional step you can add in if you\u2019re stepping up your skincare game. They\u2019re best used after cleansing the skin and work to remove any leftover dirt, oil, or impurities that your cleanser missed. Plus, newer toner formulas on the market are also intended to nourish the skin. If you have particularly oily skin or get greasy skin during the luteal phase<\/a> of your menstrual cycle, toner can be a helpful addition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next product to be added into the mix is a form of exfoliation<\/a>, whether that be chemical (like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid) or physical (such as a brush). \u201cThat can be done up to twice a week\u2014some people can do it more while others can maybe only do it once a week,\u201d Dr. Mitchell notes. \u201cExfoliation is going to allow for better penetration of your products.\u201d In other words, you don\u2019t want to be investing in all of these products and putting them on top of dead skin<\/a>, because doing so would block their ability to penetrate into the skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Face mists are another optional step in your skincare routine. They add some extra hydration to your skin, thanks to hero ingredients like hyaluronic acid<\/a>, aloe, and glycerin so can be great if your skin tends to be dry. \u201cFace mists are very versatile…they are typically water-based, and you can treat them like an essence or toner to be used as one of the first steps in the skincare routine,\u201d Dr. Weng says. If you are using a toner with a mist, it\u2019s best to use the mist after your toner and before a serum. They can help the skin to better absorb and lock in the moisture from your serum and moisturizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After an exfoliator, Dr. Mitchell recommends implementing a serum\u2014such as a vitamin C<\/a> and retinol<\/a>\u2014into your skincare regimen. For the former, Dr. Weng adds that the ingredient should be a key component in everyone\u2019s<\/em> routine. \u201cIt\u2019s a strong antioxidant that really helps with supporting skin health and protecting against environmental damage,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n It\u2019s important to note that you\u2019ll always want to use a vitamin C serum in the morning and a retinol serum at night. This is because topical vitamin C protects the skin from the sun and free radicals. Alternatively, retinol can actually make the skin more sensitive to UV rays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re shopping for a moisturizer, Dr. Mitchell recommends searching for ingredients like ceramides<\/a>. \u201cThese help to protect and heal the skin barrier\u2014we want that barrier to be as healthy as possible and to keep out irritants.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n Additionally, niacinamide<\/a> is another favorite ingredient of Dr. Mitchell\u2019s in moisturizers. \u201cIt helps to even out the skin tone, protects the moisture barrier, and comes with soothing properties.\u201d As for locking the moisture in and healing the skin, ingredients like glycerin and dimethicone will do the trick.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have oily skin, you may be turned off by the idea of adding more oil but rest<\/a> assured\u2014every skin type can benefit from the product. \u201cFace oils have also evolved a lot over recent years, and with improvements in formulation they really can impart a glowy, rather than greasy, complexion,\u201d says Dr. Weng.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n While they\u2019re not essential to a skincare routine, they\u2019re a good next baby step up from just the basics. \u201cFace oils are a great addition to your skincare routine, and those with drier skin may find them particularly helpful in the winter to protect the skin barrier and minimize moisture loss,\u201d Dr. Weng explains. She suggests using face oil as the last step in your routine as they tend to be the heaviest. \u201cBy nature of the formulation, face oils tend to be more occlusive than other skincare products such as toners and gels,\u201d she says. That means they\u2019re designed to form a protective layer on your skin, not letting anything in or out. As such, Dr. Weng recommends them for nighttime use only, especially as an oil base can affect the staying power of makeup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The last step in your regimen should always be sunscreen<\/a> (yes, even<\/em> in the winter). \u201cSunscreens are broken down into mineral and chemical [formulas],\u201d Dr. Weng says. The main difference between the two is mineral (aka, physical) sunscreens physically form a barrier that blocks the sun away from the skin, while chemical formulas use active ingredients to absorb the UV rays, turn them into heat, and release them from the body.<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cIn general, mineral sunscreens with titanium or zinc<\/a> tend to leave a cast on the skin, in which case a chemical product might be a better option,\u201d Dr. Weng says. Whichever kind you choose, she recommends opting for one that\u2019s SPF<\/a> 50 or higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caring for your skin from within is just as important as what you put on your skin. Adding supplements as part of your morning and\/or evening skincare routine can also make you more likely to stick to a vitamin regimen. Take the HUM Quiz<\/a> to find the perfect supplements for your skin goals. You can also check out a few of our favorites below:<\/p>\n\n\nWhat Happens if You Mess Up The Order of Skincare Products?<\/h2>\n\n\n
How to Layer Skincare<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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