Are You Using Your Skincare Properly?

Correct application of skincare can be very confusing. Cleansers, serums, double cleansing, peels, exfoliators, facial oils, moisturizers, manual masks, sheet masks – seriously? It can make anyone go insane! Or give up altogether.

I know not everyone has an in-depth skincare routine. You guys use what works for you, and that’s how it should be. However, maybe you do use or incorporate different types of products and get confused about the proper order and the benefits you can reap. I’ve relayed in a post before that I wrote a guide for skincare – The Definitive Guide to Flawless Skin. This post will be an overview mainly discussing the benefits of different skincare products and how to use them.

I will list each product in the order it should be and talk briefly about them:

1. Cleanser
2. Exfoliators (masks)
3. Toners
4. Essence
5. Serums
6. Sheet Masks
7. Eye Creams
8. Moisturizers
9. Facial Oils
10. Sunscreen (if during the day)

In essence, this is the 10-step k-beauty routine. Mine are many more steps because I use several serums and eye creams, but we won’t count that! I will definitely admit that there are times I’m too tired to do all of these steps. If I am tired, I just make sure my skin is cleansed and moisturized.

I won’t offend you and tell you what a cleanser is for or when it’s to be used. However, the type of cleanser is important depending on what type of skin issues you have. Many may think oil cleansers are not for those with oily/combination skin. This couldn’t be furthest from the truth. Like dissolves like – what? Oil cleansers are made of oil obviously so it will dissolve the oil. Oily skin is, in essence, dehydrated which makes your skin produce sebum (bad oil that causes breakouts). Oil cleansers will actually balance your skin and hydrate it. I had oily/combination skin, so I did a lot of research on this. Plus, my skin has benefited from this immensely. I now have normal skin and no more breakouts!! YES!

I like to double cleanse just to ensure my pores are cleaned out and that all traces of makeup has been removed. This has just been my experience, and I am no way suggesting you double cleanse. I just want to let you know what has worked for me.

After you cleanse, this is when you should exfoliate to remove all of the dead skin cells. Our skin sheds 40,000 dead skin cells every hour. Seriously??? You should choose whether you prefer manual exfoliation or chemical. I switch off between manual and chemical. You do not have to exfoliate every day either. A few times a week is sufficient.

Because your pH will be off because of the exfoliation process, you should use a toner. I like to use alcohol-free toners with extra benefits such as anti-aging properties. After that, I use an essence. Again, I’m not saying you have to if you want good skin. Do what works for you! Essences prep your skin for the rest of your products so they absorb better.

Serums are next. I’m a serum fanatic! I use several at a time. The ingredients in serums are smaller and able to sink into your skin deeper than just a moisturizer. Plus, I use different serums to get different benefits. Not all serums are created equal – some are anti-aging while others are brightening and etc. I switch serums every day. I don’t use the same all of the time. The two I will always use is retinol and Argan Milk. One thing to always remember is to use the thinnest serum first and work up to your thickest.

If you decide to apply a sheet mask, now is the time. Sheet masks contain serum, so it makes sense to use it at that time.

Eye creams are next. Again, thinnest to thickest and serums first – that’s if you use several eye creams.

Moisturizers go on next, and if you use facial oils, they should be applied last to lock in all of that moisture and goodness from the rest of your products.

If it’s during the day, the last product should always be sunscreen. Always. Otherwise, your last step would be the facial oil – at night. Facial oils are great for balancing your skin.

These are the steps I take every night because I’ve has such awesome results. Please, please do not think it’s necessary to do all of them. Some can only be once a week.

I apologize in advance for the lengthy post. I just hope some of you have been able to learn something in case you weren’t sure. Remember, you do what works for you!! Thanks for indulging me!

What is your skincare routine?

As always, stay beautiful!