Are You Using Your Skin Care Products in the Right Order?

Does the order you apply your skin care products really matter? Yes if you want to get the most out of them. You just paid good money for these products so why not get them to work properly altogether. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD):

“The sequence in which you apply your skin care products affects how well the products work.”

They also say not to use too many products:

“Using too many products may irritate the skin, especially if you are using more than one anti-aging product. This often makes the signs of aging more noticeable.”

So what should you do? Well, here is the order and skin care products the AAD recommends.

1. Wash Your Face

Use a gentle cleanser, lukewarm water and pat your skin dry. Don’t use a rough towel or rub your skin aggressively.

2. Apply Medication or Treatment

If you’re using medication or other treatment on your skin, apply it after washing your face.

The AAD has a great suggestion if you’re applying it around your eye:

“…use your ring finger, because it is the weakest finger and will not pull too hard on this delicate skin.”

3. Apply Sunscreen and/or Moisturizer

This is definitely one of the most important steps in your skin care routine. Protecting your skin from the sun is vital.

In the morning use a moisturizer and sunscreen or SPF product or find a combination SPF + moisturizer product.

At night, moisturize you skin to lock in moisture overnight to nourish your skin while you sleep.

4. Apply Makeup

Make this the last step in your skin care beauty routine.

More Skin Care Advice

Check out more of our skin care and suncare advice in our Education and Suncare Smarts blog series.