WE BREAK DOWN FOR YOU THE IDEAL ORDER AND AMOUNT OF PRODUCT YOU NEED TO APPLY
You now know your skin type and are able to build a skincare routine with suitable products. But are you sure you are applying the right amount of skincare for your skin? And do you know in which order to carry out your routine?
See the feature: What Is Your Skin Type?
The order in which you apply your skincare makes a real and significant difference to your skin. If you do not follow this order, you risk compromising the overall effectiveness of your routine or even damaging your skin barrier. Skincare should always be applied from the lightest to the richest, because lighter products do not have the ability to penetrate heavier ones.
STEP 1: CLEANSING
There is no need to use a large amount of product to cleanse the skin on your face, as this will not increase the effectiveness of your cleanser. One pump is more than enough to cleanse your face. When mixed with water, cleansers generally foam up, which creates a larger amount of substance that you can apply from forehead to chin, as well as on the neck and chest.
The best way to use a cleanser is to start with a dry face, then gently rub it in upward motions over the face, carefully avoiding the eye contour area (unless the cleanser is suitable for the eyes). Then rinse with lukewarm water and finish with cool water. This helps tighten the pores and stimulate blood circulation in the face. When drying, do not rub your face; pat it dry to avoid unnecessary pulling that can lead to premature signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines.
Double cleansing with an oil followed by a cleanser is the best routine. This should only be done in the evening to remove impurities, makeup, SPF, pollution, and excess sebum from the skin.
There is no need to cleanse your skin in the morning because it is clean, and the skin barrier, which is so essential for healthy skin, has rebuilt itself overnight. We recommend simply rinsing your face with lukewarm water or using micellar water on a cotton pad to remove the toxins produced during the night.
The best time to exfoliate your skin is in the evening, as this helps deeply cleanse the pores and allows the skin barrier to rebuild itself overnight. On the evening you exfoliate your skin, you can apply a cocooning balm to regenerate it.
STEP 2: TONER AND ESSENCE
As for toners and essences, they are often recommended to be applied with a cotton pad. Besides being wasteful, a significant amount of your product is lost that way. We recommend simply applying it with your hands and pressing it into your face to prevent the toner from evaporating. You can apply as much as you want if your skin absorbs it quickly, until it is fully saturated with water. You can also apply it between each step of your routine because toner helps the skincare penetrate more deeply and prevents greasy residue.
STEP 3: SERUM
Apply your skincare quickly after washing: your skin should not have time to feel tight. Every second spent without a serum or moisturizer allows the skin’s hydration to evaporate.
Apply the serum to skin that is still damp from the toner. The recommended dose is 3 to 5 drops. Gently pat until the product is fully absorbed. You can take this opportunity to massage your face with a gua sha while the treatment sinks in. Serums are highly concentrated in active ingredients and penetrate deeply thanks to their low molecular weight. They should therefore be prioritized in your routine to treat and correct your skin concerns. They should be applied after toner and before day cream.
For the morning, we recommend a vitamin C serum, which will fight damage caused by free radicals. It also brightens the complexion, stimulates collagen production, and prevents sebum oxidation.
In the evening, choose a serum that targets one of your skin concerns. An anti-dark spot, anti-blemish, or anti-aging serum, because nighttime is when the skin switches into repair mode.
STEP 4: EYE CONTOUR
A specific treatment is necessary for this very delicate, thin, and highly stressed area, which has no sebaceous glands. But the equivalent of a grain of rice is enough to cover the entire eye contour area. Contrary to popular belief, eye cream should not be applied only under the eyes, but also above and around them. Follow the orbital bone. If you have any product left, you can apply it around the mouth. Use your little finger, which applies less pressure to the delicate eye area than your index finger, and helps target this small area without going beyond it. Eye contour care helps reduce dark circles and puffiness and smooth wrinkles. It is also a good makeup base for concealer.
STEP 5: CREAM
All skin types need hydration, even oily skin. The amount to apply depends on your skin type. The drier it is, the more you can allow yourself to apply. But whatever amount of moisturizer you apply, what matters is how you apply it. Wait until your skin is completely dry after using your serum before applying the cream; this will allow your serum (and its targeted benefits) to penetrate fully rather than being diluted by the moisturizer. The moisturizer will form a protective shield that will prevent the serum and hydration from evaporating.
In the morning, apply your cream using light upward circular motions all over the face; this will stimulate circulation and give your skin a more lifted appearance. All skincare should also be applied to the neck and décolleté, which should be considered part of the facial skin.
STEP 6: OIL + RETINOL - EVENING ONLY
Oils are occlusive, meaning they seal in the skincare you applied beforehand and prevent it from evaporating. They therefore maximize the active ingredients in your routine. Oils are able to penetrate all the layers you applied previously (moisturizers, serums, etc.), which is why they should be used as the final step in your skincare routine. As with serums, a small amount of oil is very effective. Most of the time, two to three drops are enough to cover the entire face. Warm the oil by rubbing your hands together, then apply it by patting it on after your moisturizer. We recommend applying oils in the morning as the last step only if you feel you need extra hydration.
On the other hand, all skin types need an oil or balm in the evening after applying retinol. Retinol is an essential anti-aging molecule to use at night. For an even more effective routine, you can alternate by applying retinol 5 nights a week and a serum based on lactic acid 2 nights a week.
STEP 7: SPF
It can never be said often enough: whatever the time of year, it is important to wear sunscreen every morning to protect yourself from UV rays, which can pass through windows and even cloudy skies. Applying your SPF should be the last step of your skincare routine (after moisturizer and/or oil and before makeup). Apply generously to the face and neck and make sure it is fully absorbed before applying your makeup.
STEP 8: MASK
Masks require a little more product in order to be effective. Unlike most other skincare products, there is no fixed amount, as it generally varies depending on the product in question. That is why we advise you to follow the instructions in terms of both quantity and frequency of application.
As for powder masks, they should be removed before they are completely dry to avoid dehydrating the skin.
