Is Your Skincare Routine In The Correct Sequence?

With wearing masks being an essential in our wardrobe, it is important that we are diligent enough to make skincare a routine to prevent breakouts, specifically our biggest enemy now - mask acne (also dubbed as “maskne”). But being diligent isn’t all. The order of application does matter and the right layering of products will ensure the best results.

Read on to check if you’re applying your skincare in the correct sequence.

Morning Routine

Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Unsplash

Step 1: Cleanser

For the ingredients in your product to properly penetrate through your skin, you first need to have clean skin both oil-free and dirt-free. Use a cleanser to remove the oil and residue that is built up overnight. You can just wash your face with water - but you do want to use a cleanser if your skin type or skin product produces a lot of oil. 

Step 2: Toner

Toners are meant to help remove dirt left behind after cleansing and return your skin to its original pH so your skin can better absorb the rest of the products. Skip this step if you have dry skin!

Step 3: Serum

This product will improve your skin health as they are extremely concentrated and filled up nutrients. Remember to pat instead of smearing serum onto skin so that it penetrates through your skin well.

Step 4: Moisturiser

Everyone needs a moisturiser. Even if your skin is oily. You need this because a moisturiser has the ability to make your skin healthy, providing the extra hydration you need after being under the sun, weather. Not only that, it also traps the products applied before, making the ingredients more effective in doing their job. Apply your moisturiser when your skin is still damp, right after applying your serum so that your skin can lock in more hydration.

Step 5: Sunscreen

This last step is absolutely critical. To prevent anti-aging and reduce the risk of skin cancer, it is recommended to apply sunscreen at least 30 SPF or higher to effectively tackle UV rays - especially the sun! Did you know that daily usage of sunscreen can reduce skin aging by 24%? Start using sunscreen if you aren’t already!

Night Routine

Photo by Anastasiia Ostapovych on Unsplash

Step 1: Cleanser

It is necessary to clean off all the built-up dirt on your face after a long day, especially if you’re out and with makeup. Remove your makeup with or without cleansing oil (to better remove and dissolve makeup), then wash your face with a gentle cleanser. 

Step 2: Exfoliate (Only 1-2 Times Per Week)

Exfoliate to deeply cleanse stubborn dirt and oil in your poles, and to get rid of dead skin. Focus mainly on areas where your pores tend to clog more often - such as whiteheads and blackheads on nose and chin. However, do not exfoliate everyday or else you will strip your skin of its natural oil and in turn cause breakouts!

Step 3: Toner

Apply toner like you would in the morning.

Step 4: Eye Cream

Eye cream goes before serum to ensure your delicate eye area is protected against the ingredients that may cause irritation. 

Step 5: Serum / Treatment

As we sleep, our skin will repair, restore and regenerate, hence we should only use skin care treatments that are used to target certain areas of our skin at night for more effective results. If your skin does not need any treatment, apply serum just like in the morning.

Step 6: Moisturiser

As mentioned earlier, everyone needs a moisturiser - and yes, it is included in our night routine. Since our skin goes into repair mode at night, opt for a thicker moisturiser that can work on your skin over the course of several hours and find yourself waking up only with hydrated skin.

Photo by Anastasiia Ostapovych on Unsplash

Always remember and follow the rule of thumb: apply in order of consistency - thin-to-thick, lightest products followed by thicker ones.

Be sure to follow these steps properly, and you can say goodbye to maskne!

Did you know that your diet can also be a reason why you’re breaking out? Try changing up your diet if skincare isn’t the problem. Time to head over to FoodLine.sg, a platform with a wide range of selection to choose from, to get your well-balanced and nutritious meals!

Featured Image Credits To:

Christin Hume on Unsplash