Skincare on the clock: Why timing is everything
It may appear that having an effective skincare routine means just finding the right products for you. The truth is, a huge part of having a skincare routine is figuring out the right order to use your products and most important; the right time to use them too.
Your skin has different needs in the daytime compared to at night, which is why it’s essential to tailor your routine to meet your skin’s various needs.
The importance of ordering your skincare product application accurately
As previously mentioned, it’s not enough to apply the right products to your skin. You have to ensure that you’re applying them in the correct order too.
Applying your skincare products in the incorrect order can potentially cancel out the benefits of the product you previously applied, rendering your efforts useless.
Estheticians recommend that you layer your products based on their thickness. The rule of thumb is to apply thinner products first and thicker products last. This allows thinner products to be absorbed by the skin before the application of thicker products.
What your daytime skincare routine should include
Certain skincare products are more suited for daytime use than nighttime use. For daytime use, it’s recommended that the focus be placed on cleansing and hydrating the skin, as well as protecting the skin from harsh elements it may come into contact with during the day, such as the sun’s rays.
Even though many people are spending much more time indoors, indoor pollutants can also pose a huge risk to healthy skin, with the World Health Organisation stating that indoor air pollution has more adverse health effects than outdoor air pollution.
This means your daytime skincare routine should include a gentle cleanser, especially considering that germs, saliva, and oil from your pillowcase can affect your skin’s health. It should also include an essence, a concentrated lotion that hydrates and restores the skin after cleansing, an antioxidant serum, eye cream, and a moisturiser with SPF. You should also be exfoliating your skin once a week in between cleansing and applying an essence.
The products mentioned above should be applied in the order they are mentioned in.
What your nighttime skincare routine should include
Your nighttime skincare routine should focus on removing makeup and impurities from the skin as well as moisturising.
If you wear makeup, extra care should be taken to ensure that you remove it from your skin properly to prevent any blocked pores. Makeup remover and cleansing wipes should work well for this purpose.
Your cleanser should be used to remove the residue left by the makeup products as well as dirt and sweat that are left on your skin at the end of the day. This will help products absorb into your skin properly.
After cleansing, you can opt to exfoliate at least once a week, after which you should apply your essence, eye cream, serum, and then moisturiser. It’s worth noting that nighttime moisturisers don’t contain SPF and they are usually thicker to prevent moisture loss, which is more prevalent at night.
Lastly, a leave-on mask can work perfectly to revitalise the skin as you sleep, leaving you with a clear and radiant face in the morning.
Certain skincare products are best suited for use during specific times of the day. Knowing this will help you make the best use of your products, allowing your skin to look and feel its best. For more information on skincare products, visit Skin Renewal to set up an appointment with an esthetician.
