Layering Skincare

Layering skincare products is almost like layering white paint- applying until it’s fully coated and perfect. The concept is that active ingredients (which are often found in serums, the workhorses of any routine) should be applied early in the regimen for goods to absorb the most effectively, and then you lock it all in with richer formulas. It’s always about washing the skin, then treating it, and then protecting it.

A complete skincare routine with layering usually follows with an oil-based cleanser (to remove makeup), water-based cleanser (to remove impurities), an exfoliator (to remove dead skin cells), a toner (to normalise skin’s pH balance), an essence (to restore hydration levels), a serum (to feed skin essential vitamins), a sheet mask (to supply the skin with active ingredients, an eye cream (to nourish), a moisturiser (to restore moisture) and finally an SPF (to protect the skin).

Do Not Mix These Ingredients

Sometimes we get excited and randomly apply all the great skincare products to our faces. However, certain ingredients must not be mixed on the skin.

Vitamin C and Alpha Hydroxy Acids- This combination may irritate the skin. So, in the morning, apply vitamin C, and in the evening, apply your AHAs.

Vitamin C and Benzoyl Peroxide- this combination just does not work together at all. Vitamin C degrades or oxidises when it comes into contact with benzoyl peroxide, a common acne treatment.

Retinol and Benzoyl Peroxide- another combination that does not work. It’s best not to combine the peroxide with retinol because they both cancel each other out.

Retinol and Vitamin C- you could use them at the same time but it’s best not to. Before using retinol on top of vitamin C, you should wait at least 30 minutes. Because the two components function best at different pH levels (a measure of acidity), mixing them may result in less effective results.

Combat Wrinkles With This

Retinol. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that aids in collagen formation and cell turnover. This helps to reduce the appearance of sunspots, fine lines, and wrinkles by resulting in more even, smoother skin. Retinols should be applied at night, whether they’re in a serum, cream, or from your doctor.

Retinol can cause dryness, burning, stinging, or peeling of the skin, especially in the initial two to four weeks of treatment. To lower the rate of absorption of your retinol, use your moisturiser first, then your retinol. Switch back to layering the retinol first once you’ve established that you can tolerate it. Retinol is treatment but also a journey to youthful skin. An absolute skin saviour!

Vitamin C

A legendary ingredient. This gem is a powerhouse antioxidant. Vitamin C aids in your skin’s natural regeneration process, which helps your body heal damaged skin cells, thanks to its antioxidant characteristics. This anti-free-radical capability is crucial for more than merely preventing indications of premature ageing. Vitamin C may help protect skin from precancerous alterations caused by UV exposure by neutralising free radicals.

Collagen and elastin are natural protein fibres that make skin lush and firm. Topical vitamin C can thus assist to prevent premature skin ageing by promoting collagen formation. It has a feature that prevents the development of melanin in your skin, which causes skin discolouration such as dark patches and hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C, when used topically, can help to prevent dark spots from appearing in the first place.

Never Touch Your Face

It can be difficult to break the habit of touching your face. Without thinking twice, you might lean your face on your hand during work or try to get rid of an annoying pimple. Touching your face can transfer dirt, oil, and bacteria from your hands to your skin, clogging pores and causing breakouts.

It’s especially important for folks with oily skin to avoid touching their faces throughout the day. Only touch your face while cleansing, moisturising, applying sunscreen, or applying makeup—and only if your hands are clean! Simple tips like tying your hair back, keeping a tissue close, keeping your hands occupied, sanitising your hands and being aware of your behaviour with your hands can help reduce unintentional facial contact.

Consistency Is Key

Trust the process. Consistency is crucial when it comes to getting the most out of an oil, cream, or supplement. It’s the same as when you start a new workout or decide to take care of a house plant: they both require consistent attention to produce benefits.

Consistency helps your skin last longer. While it may take a few weeks to see the results of your skincare routine, getting there and maintaining it just takes a few minutes of your day. With a consistent routine, you will be able to see effective and quicker results for your skin.

Do Not Grab That Makeup Wipe

Guilty? Me too. But we can change that! Yes it’s incredibly convenient, quick and easy. But they have negative impacts on our skin. Face wipes don’t clean as well as a dedicated facial cleanser and water, leaving impurities and oil behind, which can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and even irritation from the substance left on the skin over time.

Have you ever noticed your skin goes red after using face wipes? Face wipes are harsh on the skin due to the harsh, drying chemicals that strip the skin of its natural oils, causing inflammation and irritation by altering the delicate pH of your skin.

Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Get your 8 hours and you’re good to glow. Your skin is in desperate need of some downtime after a long day of combating UV radiation, pollution, sweat, and impurities.

Our skin goes into recovery mode as we sleep, which is a critical period for repair and regeneration. In fact, nighttime regeneration is up to three times faster than daytime regeneration.

Interestingly, the nighttime renewal process is when you’ll get the most advantages from your anti-ageing chemicals, and utilising the appropriate products will help you speed up that process.