Cleanse, Treat, Moisturize… Repeat!

Posted on Aug 27, 2020 By askderm

If you are like me, you have a bathroom full of skincare products that you apply to your skin every day. Are you sure that you are applying them in the order they are meant to be the most effective? That is a question all of us have asked at one point and I’m going to break down the proper order for you.

Cleanse.

The first, and the most important step in your routine should always be to cleanse your face. Layering products on a dirty face will only wreak havoc on your skin and prevent these other products from working to their full potential because your skin will not be able to absorb the benefits. There are thousands of cleansers on the market, from gentle foaming cleansers like La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream to those that combat acne and other skin ailments. It is important to choose a cleanser that works for your skin type to avoid irritation.

Treat.

Now that you have a clean canvas to work with, your next step is to treat your specific skincare concerns. These will be your toners, serums, acne treatments, glycolic acid or treatments that target anti-aging like eye creams. Face masks should also be applied only after cleansing. The reason for this? Those products contain really powerful skin-changing ingredients, that is why you bought them, remember? You want them to work to their best ability and in order to do so they have to be applied on a fresh face, before you moisturize. Which is a perfect segue to the next step.

Moisturize.

After you have allowed your treatments to settle in, and each one requires a different resting period so check your product directions, it is time to moisturize. Moisturizing your skin will additionally hydrate your skin and help lock in all of the ingredients found in your treatments. Moisturizers like Neostrata Ultra Moisturizing Face Cream also prevent early signs of aging and keep your skin looking supple. Choose a moisturizer based on your skin type, but also choose for the season. During the winter months when the temperatures drop and the air is really dry, you will want to choose a more emollient moisturizer that locks in moisture, and in summer months you should opt for a lighter option.

SPF.

This is your final step before makeup. I know what you are thinking, “my foundation has SPF in it”. Yes, you’re right, it does! Usually it is SPF 15 and that isn’t enough protection from harmful UV rays. Applying sunscreen last locks in all of the ingredients and protects your face at the same time. So before you apply makeup you should always apply a broad-spectrum facial sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Glowbiotics Tinted Sunscreen is a good choice that also serves as a primer for your makeup.

Repeat.

While is is very important to follow this routine in the morning, before makeup, it is even more important at night. Remove your makeup every night and repeat this process. Use your night treatments instead and leave the SPF for the morning. Following the Cleanse, Treat and Moisturize routine will keep your skin happy and there should no longer be any guesswork when it comes to the products in your bathroom. For more skincare tips, product review and features, follow us on Instagram.

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Cleanse, Treat, Moisturize… Repeat!