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Feathers and Stripes

Boston mom blogger | motherhood, baby + kids, family travel, + home

beauty · August 3, 2022

The Correct Way to Apply Skincare Products

After my latest facial appointment, where I quizzed the esthetician, I realized I’ve been applying my skincare products all wrong. So today I want to share exactly how you’re supposed to apply skincare products for the best results.

Note that I don’t work in the skincare industry. I’m just a 30-something with sensitive skin who falls asleep far too often in my makeup!

products and how apply skincare products

Once a week I use a micro needling roller, which helps your skin absorb product. With any serum or other facial product, if it’s just going to sit on top of your skin, it’s not going to really do anything. The micro needling roller creates tiny pricks in the skin where the product can seep in. It sounds really dramatic, but you get used to the feel of it!

My skincare line up:

Beauty tools:

The correct order to apply skin care products

If there’s one thing you should remember from this entire post, it’s to go from lightest formula to heaviest. Start with the lightest formula product and move on to the heaviest formula.

Step One: Cleanser

Cleanser: Wash with your favorite cleanser to help you start with the cleanest base! My go-to is this purifying face wash, which I sometimes use with my Clarisonic but usually just use with my hands. If I’ve been running around with a lot of makeup on, I’ll do a makeup remover wipe before I go to my cleanser.

Purifying face cleanser

Makeup removing wipes

Step Two: Exfoliate

Exfoliate: Super important for removing dead skin cells from your face. Look for ingredients like alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids, lactic acid, and/or glycolic acid.

Micro-exfoliating face wash

Gel exfoliator

Step Three: Toner

Toner: Remove all of your exfoliation before following up with a toner, And never use a toner with alcohol in it, because it can dry out your skin.

Alcohol-free toner

Biologique Recherche P50 toner that has a total cult following

Step Four: Treatments & Serum

Treatments & Serum: I love the SkinCeuticals Complexion Corrector, which is formulated for sensitive skin. If it’s night time, I’ll add in my Retinol (every other night). You don’t want to use Retinol in the morning because it can break down from daylight/UV/oxygen exposure, which can do harm to your skin. This is also when you’d add in your spot treatments (like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide for breakouts).

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel (for hydrating and calming skin)

Retinol Remix

Spot treatment for breakouts

Skin brightening serum

10% Glycolic Resurfacing Gel

Step Five: Eye Cream

Cream: Next comes any eye cream (pat, don’t rub!). Eye creams are thinner than regular moisturizers, and you’ll want this to soak in before your general moisturizer.

Revitalizing eye cream

Step Six: Moisturizer

Moisturizer: Add your moisturizer on top, and don’t forget to spread it not just on your face but on your neck as well. Don’t neglect your neck!

Moisturizer for day or night

Step Seven: Oils

Oils: If you use a facial oil, this would go on after your moisturizer. Oils can penetrate moisturizer but not the other way around.

CEO Glow serum

Anti-aging serum

Step Eight: SPF

SPF: If this were a daytime routine, now is when you would add in your SPF! I always wear SPF during the day, even in the wintertime.

Favorite SPF moisturizer

Posted In: beauty · Tagged: skincare

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About Alyssa


Hi, I’m Alyssa. Mom of three, wife, dog mom, blogger. Here I share tips and tricks on motherhood, focusing on baby gear reviews and the best stuff for kids, family travel, and home organization.

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