The order in which you apply your skincare products dictates your skin’s ability to soak it up, so you want to apply them based on the weight of each product on your skin. The rule of thumb when applying skincare is to apply the lightest first and the heaviest last, and this is for a number of good reasons:
- Absorption: Thinner products have a lighter texture and are more easily absorbed by the skin. By applying them first, you ensure that they can penetrate the skin effectively and deliver their active ingredients where they are needed most.
- Layering: Thicker products can create a barrier on the skin's surface, which can hinder the absorption of thinner products applied afterward. By starting with the thinnest products, you allow them to fully penetrate the skin before layering on thicker products, ensuring each product can work optimally.
- Product Performance: Some skincare products are formulated to work in a specific order. For example, serums are often designed to deliver concentrated active ingredients, and applying them early in your routine allows them to have the greatest impact on your skin. Thicker products like moisturizers are typically intended to seal in hydration and provide a protective barrier, so applying them last ensures they can effectively lock in the benefits of the previous products.
- Preventing Pilling: Pilling refers to the undesirable clumping or rolling of product on the skin's surface. When thicker products are layered on top of thinner ones without proper absorption, they can mix and create pilling. Applying products in order of thickness reduces the likelihood of pilling and helps maintain a smooth application.
Waiting in between applying skincare products also provides many benefits, similar to the ones above, like allowing each product to fully absorb into the skin and effectively perform its intended function.
It is generally advised to wait around 1 to 2 minutes after applying a serum or treatment before moving on to the next step.
While these are general guidelines, it's essential to consider individual product instructions and any specific recommendations from skincare professionals or dermatologists. Some products may have unique instructions that require a different application order or wait time based on their formulation or desired effects.