Did you spend half your salary on skincare, hoping you’ll walk out with glass skin in just one week? It probably didn’t work for you because your skincare routine was all wrong. As simple as slapping on a moisturiser and sunscreen sounds, doing skincare is a bit more than that. And if you want to make the best of all the products you’ve stocked up on, you need to learn how to layer your skincare products.

Why is layering important?

You might think all the products are going into your skin, so why bother layering them? You don’t wear your overcoat under your sweater in winter, do you? It makes no sense. Skincare works similarly. There is an order in which you need to use products on your face for the best efficacy.

The easiest way to follow your skincare routine in order is to go from lighter to heavier products. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown for you on how to layer your skincare.

1. Cleanser

The first step in your skincare routine should be cleansing. Throughout the day, your face accumulates dirt, pollutants, oil and unwanted debris. So, before you start your skincare, you need to cleanse your face of all impurities so that any products you apply can be absorbed well.

2. Toner

A toner is the first thing you apply to a well-cleansed face, and the first layer of skincare. It gently removes any dirt or grime that remains on the face after cleansing and also provides hydration. Toners also help prepare your skin to absorb the serum and moisturisers better. Apply the toner to slightly damp skin and choose them based on your skin type.

3. Essence

Essence isn’t a compulsory step in your skincare routine, but if you have it, use it after your toner. It provides an additional layer of hydration to your skin. Gently pat four to five drops of essence on your face for a dewy finish.

4. Serums

Serums are the best way to amp up your skincare regime. There are different serums to address various skin conditions — salicylic acid serum for acne, hyaluronic serum for hydration, Vitamin C for brightening, retinol for anti-ageing and more. Like all skincare products, serums also go from lightest to heaviest, but certain serums should not be paired together.

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5. Eye creams

Eye creams may seem bougie, but they are not a gimmick. The skin around your eyes is the thinnest and shows signs of ageing first. So, a good eye cream can help mitigate the first signs of ageing.

Tap the eye cream gently around the eyes using the ring finger. It’s the weakest finger, meaning less pressure on your delicate skin.

6. Moisturisers

Once you have applied all the essentials onto your skin, it is time to lock them in with a moisturiser. A moisturiser acts as a sealant that keeps all these lighter products from evaporating from your skin.

If you have oily skin, go for gel-based, lighter moisturisers, and if your skin is dry, go for heavier moisturisers.

7. Facial oils

If you are willing to go that extra mile for that soft and supple skin, facial oils should be a part of your skincare routine. If you choose to apply them in the morning, add them after the moisturiser and before the sunscreen. For nighttime, they should be the last step of your skincare routine.

8. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is the last and the most important step in your AM skincare routine. Ideally, you should use sunscreen with an SPF50 and reapply it every few hours. And don’t skip your sunscreen because the sun isn’t out, or you are staying indoors. The UV rays will hit you anyway.

Good skin isn’t very difficult. It is all a matter of finding the right fit for your skin. And once you find the right products, nothing is stopping you from glowing like the goddess you are meant to be. If an eight-step routine sounds like a huge task, just stick to a CTM, aka Cleanser-Toner-Moisturiser routine, and sunscreen in the AM and you are good to go.

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