How to Layer Skincare

Yep, that’s me making the face that so many of us do when we are little kids and concentrating realllllly hard: Sticking my tongue out as I try to arrange all of my bottles of skincare.

It’s Complicated

I know it can be confusing when it comes to layering, alternating days and nights, and adding in weekly treatments. Plus, there are products that just should not be mixed. Here, I am going to show you what I do based on my needs.

What I Want

I want anti-aging and corrective products that will also help with occasional breakouts. I want smooth and even skin, and want to address loss of firmness. I want a weekly treatment to help with texture and brightening. Long list, right? It can be done with the right combination of products in the right order!

About these Regimens

These regimens (you can save them to your camera roll by holding down on the images) are here to help you figure out the right order of layering skincare and how to alternate data based on the number of products you use. Omit what you want (especially the ones named optional).

Specific Products

I am not naming specific products in the regimen images- Just save them and plug in your favorite product like a formula. I did add specific products to this post as requested to help you narrow things down IF you need it. Experiment with your favorite products, and if it’s working, stick with it. Don’t switch based on what an influencer (including me!) is showing you. If they change brands, it doesn’t mean you should too, especially if what you are using is working.

“OPTIONAL”

In these regimens, you will see an asterisk. That means that the product is not a necessity, but that you can add as needed. For instance, not everyone wants an oil, but I use one depending on the time of year and how my skin feels. And sometimes if I use an oil and HA, I skip moisturizer. Do what works for you based on how your skin feels, and use these lists to help you order them.

WHAT YOU ACTUALLY NEED

Three things I think every person must have: Retinol/retinoid, Sunscreen and vitamin C. Let me say it again: Retinol/retinoid, Sunscreen, and vitamin C!

Sunscreen

If you have to choose one product for day, choose sunscreen. EVERY day, regardless of weather or if you’re staying inside or not! The number one cause of premature aging, wrinkles, discoloration and sun damage is the sun. Many sunscreens have hydrating properties, which is why you could use it alone if you’re a minimalist.

I like Supergoop, Black Girl Sunscreen, and Elta MD. Please, just wear a sunscreen! Rain, shine, indoors or out… if you don’t wear sunscreen, then don’t even bother doing anything for your skin. OK, I know that was harsh, but I am serious! UV light is the number one cause of aging behind stress and sugar!

Retinol

And if you have to choose ONE product for night, choose retinol/retinoid. They are good for everyone at any age for any reason (pore size, fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, texture, acne, smoothing, alll of it!) If you’re not used to retinol you may need to use a moisturizer on top but retinol is a must have for all.

I don’t care what brand- any retinol/retinoid is better than NO retinol/retinoid 🙂 I like ROC night time, The Ordinary, prescription Tretinoin and Shani Darden Retinol Reform (check out my before and after here!)

Start slowly- 1-2 times a week- then work up to nightly if you’d like. You can use oil and hyaluronic acid to buffer the retinol at first if you’re super dry and sensitive. On these regimens it’s listed after, since I’m used to retinol and I’m oily in the t zone.

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C is such a power house. It helps with uneven skin tone, brightening, is anti aging, helps correct and prevent free radical damage, and protects the skin. I believe it’s a must have! I like to use it during the day to protect from pollution and other damaging factors. Paula’s Choice Vitamin C 15 boost is awesome because it’s a watery texture that you can layer or mix.

Without further ado, here is my list of products by type, in order of use.

DAYTIME

You can see that toner is optional (I don’t use one) and so is eye cream. I think we can use the products we put on our face on our eyes, but do you 🙂 I suffer from eczema on my eyes periodically, so for years, I’ve used La Mer Original Moisturizing Cream as an eye cream. It healed the irritation for me. Recently I’ve used The Ordinary caffeine and Shani Darden eye and they don’t irritate my eyes.

Vitamin C and Niacinamide should not be mixed, so just choose one. Both even skin tone, and niacinamide (a B vitamin) will help with acne. I switch between the two. A lot of people can’t use vitamin c so niacinamide is a great alternative!

Hyaluronic acid – optional, but if you like a more hydrated, plumped skin, use one! It holds 1000 times its weight in water. If you’re using an oil and/or a hyaluronic acid you may skip moisturizer, especially if your sunscreen has it built in.

NIGHT (M/W/F)

For evening, I alternate products since I want all of the benefits, and some products don’t combine well. This allows for me to do some shallow microneedling (.25-.30 depth- Gin Amber micro needling rollers are amazing) while being able to use retinol at night on opposite nights. There are two night routines: Monday/Wednesday/Friday, and Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday. Feel free to use one, or both!

NIGHT (T/TH/SAT)

SELF CARE SUNDAY

This is what I do weekly, and Sunday is a great day to do it! It is where I incorporate my deeper chemical exfoliation at night. I like to use only soothing and non treatment types of products after my peel, to aid in recovery.

And that is my routine you guys! Feel free to pin, and make sure you get over to my other post, where I break down some of the ordinary products I have tried. You can incorporate them all into this routine.

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