How to Layer Your Skin care

 Applying your skin care products in the appropriate order is important for optimizing your routine. This is a simple and effective routine for glowing skin that emphasizes consistency over intensity. Click the photos for links to purchase.

Morning: Your AM routine should be simple and easy. The focus is protection.

1. Cleanser

Use a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin. 

2. Vitamin C cream/serum

Vitamin C works as a skin brightener, protects your skin from pollutants and free radicals and boosts your sunscreen.

3. SPH moisturizer

This is the most important step of your morning. Why spend all this time and money on preventing and reversing the signs of aging if we aren’t going to protect our hard work?!

Evening: Your PM routine should focus on cleansing the day and applying active ingredients to target your concerns.

1. Double cleanse

Remove the make-up, pollutants and grime from the day by cleansing twice. First start with a micellar water and a cotton pad to remove the bulk of your make up, then follow with a gentle cleanser. 

2. Chemical exfoliant 

Next, use a chemical exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and brightening your complexion. Glycolic acid is a great one for all skin types. Azelaic acid is gentle effective for dark spots. Salicylic acid works best for acne prone skin.

3. Retinol or serum of choice

I personally think retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) are the best choice for this step because they have a ton of research behind them for everything from targeting wrinkles to treating acne, but you can use a peptide-based serum or other serum of your choice if you are intolerant to retinoids. Or better yet, choose a combination serum! The type of retinol you choose is dependent on your skin concerns and your tolerance to retinols. If you have acne-prone skin, adapalene gel (OTC Differin gel) is the best retinoid for you. Retinol and retinol esters are good for treating wrinkles without a prescription. Prescription Tretinoin is a good option to discuss with your dermatologist if you are interested in a stronger formulation. If you have sensitive skin, you will want to start slowly with retinol application to avoid irritation. Beginning with an OTC formula every other night for 3-4 weeks before moving to nightly use is a good way to start. If you are ultra-sensitive, you can mix or layer your moisturizer under the retinol to create a barrier for a couple of weeks as well until you can tolerate direct application.

4. Moisturizer

A simple occlusive moisturizer is important for sealing in all that skin care so that you can wake up glowing.