Skin Care Tips for the Wise (Morning Edition) - Why Order Matters

The skin is one of the most important, largest and most complex organs of the entire human body. Skin care is paramount and believe it or not, the sequence in which you apply your products is key to the fight against black heads. Dr. Heather Rogers, a board-certified dermatologist, says that “if you don’t apply products in the correct order, you will not see the best results from your skin care regimen.” So how do you properly care for your skin you ask? Let’s get into it.
 
You should have both a day-time routine and a night-time routine. Don’t confuse the two. In the morning, start by splashing your face with warm water. Wash your face with a light face cleanser tailored to your specific skin type. Consult your dermatologist if you don’t already have one prescribed or recommended for you. Some popular choices are Tgin Black Soap and Camille Rose Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse.  
 
Next, it’s toner time. Do not, I repeat, do not skip this step. Many choose to leave toner out of their skin care regimen because of the outdated notion that it’s too harsh. Although this was true in the past, present day toners are much more forgiving on the skin; often delivering healthy essentials such as antioxidants and vitamin B. Make sure you choose a toner that specifically targets your unique skin issue. Your dermatologist can help with this as well. Only skip the toner if you have perfectly healthy PH balanced skin. Anyone fit this criteria? *Crickets* Let’s move on.
 
Next, we have the quintessential antioxidant serum. These build your skin’s natural defense system by neutralizing damage and protecting it from UV rays and air pollutants.
 
Now for eye cream. Typically, it’s recommended that eye cream is applied twice a day, starting in your 20s. This early intervention ensures your eyelid skin doesn’t lose elasticity and that it maintains a smooth appearance. Sunglasses and eye cream with SPF can also further protect you from skin damage. If you are a part of the 30 and up club, start today; better late than never!
 
Following our eye cream, we want to apply a nice spot treatment. Acne spot treatments have the best results when applied as close as possible, for maximum effectiveness. Only apply on spots as needed as spot treatments tend to dry out the skin. Check your product packaging to prevent from applying your moisturizer too early. For instance, a common acne spot treatment like Benzoyl Peroxide has a one to three hour working time. Applying moisturizer prematurely could stop the spot treatment form working properly.
 
Which brings us to the moisturizing stage. Moisturizer is rated E for everyone; even someone with the oiliest of skin. The sun is harsh. If you want to apply moisturizer right after your spot treatment for convenience; like most, simply avoid the areas where you applied it.
 
Last but not least, it’s time to apply sunscreen. It’s best to not use a chemical sunscreen because the chemical needs to be absorbed into the skin to be active.  Applying sunscreen before your moisturizer may render it ineffective. If you must use a chemical based sunscreen, try buying one with hydration qualities and moisturizing benefits. This will allow you to conveniently combine the two final steps of this skin care routine.
 
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk. Make sure you visit the Beauty Bar & Supply to purchase your routine products today. Happy skin care!