How to apply your skincare products correctly?

no affiliate links used with any of the product recommendations mentioned if this changes I will let you know.

We’ve made it quick and convenient for you to assess if you are actually applying your skincare products in the correct way, so you can maximise the results you get.

Let's be real who really has time to read everything that is scribbled on the packaging and leaflets that come with the product?

Who doesn't wish the products came with a voice command that said the instructions out loud, this would save me a lot of time and wasted product grrrrrrh.

Anyway I am glad to let you know this relationship with not reading instructions is a thing of the past after a few fatal mistakes; by that I mean extremely sensitised skin.

Now I can recite skincare steps in my sleep like I did bible verses in sunday school, don't judge it's not a pretty look.

A woman applying face cream

For my friends that are where I used to be here is a cheat sheet

How to apply your skincare products accurately cheat sheet

Step 1 Cleansing

This is the foundation of the entire routine do it properly and half the battle is won.

Now the two key statements for this part of the routine that you need to remember are double cleansing for 60 seconds.

if you have dry skin or slightly mature skin use a cleansing balm we love the sunday riley blue moon tranquility or us an oil cleanser we love the DHC deep cleansing oil use one of these cleanser to remove makeup oil pollution spf and dirt that might have accumulated on your skin.

Then follow on with a cream cleanser like Medik8 cream cleanser

If youth is on your side and you have oily acne prone skin use an oil or balm then wash it of thoroughly with a gentle gel or foaming cleanser like the REN clean skin cleansing gel.

these are just the basics remember cleansers come in many forms find the type of cleanser you like the one that works best for your skin and within your budget following the principals above.

Now we are in the age of sheet masks, bells and whistles in skincare and you are wondering where you would fit this step in, to your routine.

its right be here just after the cleanse on damp slightly dry skin before the mists and toners.

You can pat the remaining excess serum into your skin or wipe it off after you are done.

Step 2 Mist Toner or Essence

You don't have to use every single product here feel your skin and give it what it needs. You can choose to use a face mist/toner or just an essence.

You are free to also apply both starting with the toner first then the essence next. examples of a toner would be the Beauty elixir by Caudalie

and an example of an essence would be Versed baby cheeks all in one hydrating milk

Step 3 Serum

Here is where you slot in the water based serum, the morning is the best time to use anti pollution type products and treatments these could include Vitamin C like the Treat tincture by Decree or the Symmetry fluid by KLUR

anti pollution serum.

At night you would introduce a chemical peel like the alpha h liquid gold or retinol like Paula's choice resist anti-aging retinol serum .

Hydration is also key because at night while you sleep is the time when your body works over time allowing repair of damaged cells, new cell growth and skin recovery.

If your skin is well nourished and hydrated that will be one less job for your body to do.

Try these hydrating products at night Netsai beauty Hydrating & Brightening Essence or Epara hydrating serum

Step 4 Eye cream

I personally don't use an eye cream i think most of the products i use do a great job at this however for those that like their eye creams why not try this one the Epilogic skincare eye contact .

Step 5 Spot treatment

It's pretty hard to resist the urge to pop that pimple when it's staring you in the mirror and calling your name.

But who hasn't lived to regret it? So instead of fighting against the pimple why don't you treat it gently, belieb it or not oils work just as well if not better than some spot treatments out there

avoid an unconcealable zist by dabbing the Votary blemish rescue oil .

Step 6 Face cream/oil or spf

A moisturiser in non negotiable unfortunately find one that you love and stick to it, my advice is get a face oil and a moisturiser that can be alternated morning and night time depending on your skin needs.

Netsai beauty do a great moisturiser for the night time fortify that barrier fitting with the purpose of a moisturiser as its the one skincare product that maintains your skin barrier integrity.

Not all face oils are made equally first and foremost, plus “Oils can easily penetrate moisturizers, serums, and treatments, but no products can penetrate an oil, which means they need to be applied last,” according to Dr. Gohara.

I myself swear by the Odacité Ac+R Youthful Glow Serum Concentrate (Acai + Rose) by Odacité comes across as a rip off it's 5ml for £52 so very expensive but also so very worth it.

Now maybe I should have mentioned this as a step on its own, please don't undo all you hard work you have done looking after your skin by not wearing SPF.

AN SPF of 30 and above must be worn daily reapplied if necessary throughout the day.

We are ageing anyway there is absolutely no need to accelerate it.