Having good skin-care products isn't enough: You must also apply your products in the correct order for them to be effective. Your routine will be determined by your skin type, product ingredients and formulations, and time of day. However, a good rule of thumb is to apply in order of texture, from thinnest to thickest, because thin products will not penetrate thicker ones.

The Ultimate 9-Step Skincare Routine

Whether you have a three-step or nine-step routine, everyone can improve their skincare by applying products in the correct order. Whatever your skin concerns, start with a clean, toned base, then apply concentrated, active ingredients, and finish by sealing in moisture—and, of course, SPF during the day. The following are the steps to a good skincare routine:

1. Cleanse your face.

Rinse your face with water and rub a small amount of gentle cleanser between clean palms every morning and night. Gently massage the face wash all over your face. Rinse your hands and massage your face with water until the cleanser and grime have been removed. Using a soft towel, gently pat your face dry.

If you wear makeup at night, you may need to cleanse twice. First, use cleansing oil or micellar water to remove your makeup. To avoid rubbing your eyes, try leaving dedicated eye-makeup removers on for a few minutes to allow the makeup to come off more easily. After that, gently cleanse your entire face.

2. Toner should be used.

3. Use serum.

Morning is a great time to use an antioxidant serum, such as a brightening vitamin C serum, because it protects your skin from free radicals that you'll encounter throughout the day.

Use a moisturising serum with hyaluronic acid at night to keep your skin from drying out, especially if you're using anti-aging or acne treatments that can irritate and dry out the skin.

Exfoliants such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) or lactic acid can also be found in serums. Whatever method you choose, keep the following in mind: Water-based serums should be applied before moisturiser, while oil-based serums should be applied after.

4. Use eye cream.

You can apply regular moisturiser to your under-eye area, but if you want to use a specialised eye cream, layer it underneath moisturiser because eye creams are thinner than face moisturisers.

To reduce puffiness in the morning, use an eye cream with a metal roller-ball applicator and keep it in the fridge. Using a hydrating eye cream at night can cause fluid retention, resulting in puffy eyes in the morning.

5. Apply spot treatment.

It's best to use acne spot treatments at night, when your body is resting and repairing itself. Layering acne-fighting ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid with retinol can cause irritation. Instead, do everything you can to keep your skin calm and hydrated.

6. Moisturize.

Moisturizer hydrates skin while also locking in all of the other layers of product you've applied. For the morning, look for a lightweight lotion with SPF 30 or higher. In the evening, a thicker night cream can be used. Those with dry skin should apply a cream in the morning and at night.

7. Use a retinoid.

Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives such as retinol) can reduce dark spots, breakouts, and fine lines by increasing skin-cell turnover, but they can also be irritating, particularly to sensitive skin.

If you use retinoids, keep in mind that they degrade in the sun and should only be used at night. They also make your skin more sun sensitive, so sunscreen is a must.

8.Apply some face oil.

If you use a face oil, apply it after your other skin-care products because nothing else will penetrate the oil.

9. Apply Sunscreen.

Although it may be the final step, almost every dermatologist will agree that sun protection is the most crucial component of any skin-care routine. Skin cancer and ageing symptoms can be prevented by protecting your skin from UV radiation.

You must still use sunscreen even if your moisturiser doesn't have SPF. To ensure the effectiveness of chemical sunscreens, wait 20 minutes before venturing outside. Look for a sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF, which means that it shields you from UVA and UVB rays.

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BEST SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

There is no shortage of skin care products on the market, from cleansers and moisturisers to serums and exfoliants. But figuring out which product is ideal for your skin type can be overwhelming given the sheer volume of options available and the variety of components.

Whether you have combination skin, mature-looking skin, or acne-prone skin, it's crucial to use the products that are best suited to your requirements. It's more probable that a product you use will work when it's designed to address your particular skin conditions.

Discover which skin care products are ideal for your skin type by reading on.

How we decided

We choose these skin care items based on:

• The Skin Type
• Effectiveness
• Customer Reviews

Best Skin Care Products For All Skin Types

1. Drunk Elephant

The Company: Drunk Elephant sells some quite reliable skincare products, despite its funny name and lovely packaging. What began as a means for the company's creator Tiffany Masterson to try to generate some money during the crisis grew into a tremendously popular brand that produces a variety of serums, masks, and other products that both consumers and beauty editors like.

The Product: T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial miraculously doesn't irritate skin, even delicate skin, despite having a powerful 25% concentration of alpha-hydroxy acids and a 2% concentration of beta-hydroxy acids. (Give credit for the pH balance, which is particularly good.) Your complexion is now flawless, clear, and even, with no signs of redness.

Price: $69

2. Neutrogena

 

The Company: Neutrogena is billed as the top dermatologist-recommended skincare product, and you can purchase it at the drugstore. You don't need to spend a tonne of money for effective goods that derms adore. They all focus on using substances with scientific backing in formulations designed to address any and all concerns regarding the complexion, from acne to ageing. Oh, and they also destroy the sunscreen game.

The Product: Your new summer moisturiser has arrived. Hydro Boost Water Gel, which is rich in non-sticky hyaluronic acid, hydrates without ever feeling greasy or heavy. Instead, it's a need for hot, muggy days or for anyone with permanently oily skin because it's fresh and cooling (and even more so if you store it in the fridge).

Price: $19.59.

3. CETAPHIL

 

The Company: A tried-and-true favourite, Cetaphil is renowned for producing formulas that are soft, safe for sensitive skin, and dermatologists adore them. Fun fact: It's accessible in more than 70 nations worldwide.

The Product: Talk about an oldie but a goodie—the company's Gentle Skin Cleanser debuted on the market in 1947 and still uses the same formula today. Consider it a universally reliable wash, a crazily delicate choice that dermatologists repeatedly (and repeatedly) advise for everyone. Not to mention that it is very inexpensive and doesn't even require rinsing.

Price: $17

4. Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil

 

The Company: Although K-beauty receives the most attention, Japanese beauty can also provide skincare inspiration. It's the foundation of this brand, which is steeped in Japanese tradition in both the ingredients it uses and the products it creates for a relaxing and luxurious skincare ritual.

The Product: Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil is ideal for anyone who enjoys a double cleanse, is looking for a gentle makeup remover, or simply enjoys cleansing oils. It contains rice brand and camellia seed oils (both non-pore clogging) to quickly and effectively dissolve makeup. It also contains an antioxidant complex based on Japanese geisha diet—algae, green tea, and rice—to soothe and calm skin too.

Price: $50

5. Olay Regenerist Cream

 

The Company: Formerly known as Oil of Olay, this has been a drugstore staple since 1952; we're sure you remember your mother or grandmother using the iconic pink lotion. They still have tried-and-true favourites, but they also continue to innovate across all categories of skincare.

The Product: Every minute, twenty jars of Micro-Sculpting Cream are sold worldwide. We're not mathematicians, but that's a lot of moisturisers. It's not surprising considering it claims to hydrate the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles in just 28 days. A peptide complex, as well as skincare staples like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, are to blame. It also comes in a fragrance-free version, which is a plus.

Price: $22

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I apply makeup after skin care?

Yes, you can apply makeup after using

1. Primer

2. Eye cream

3. Hydrating cream or moisturizer

4.Toner

5. Lip Balm

Can I use expired skin care?

No, Expired products may not only be ineffective, but they may also cause a skin reaction. If you're not sure how old something is, the general rule is to throw away anything that has changed significantly in colour or odour, or that has separated, clumped, thickened, or thinned.

Can skin care products cause acne?

Some makeup, as well as many skin and hair care products, contain oil or other ingredients that can aggravate acne. If you continue to use them, you may develop blemishes.

Can skin care products cause cancer?

There is little evidence to suggest that using cosmetics or being exposed to cosmetics ingredients during normal use increases cancer risk.

Can skin care products penetrate the skin?

Legitimate cosmetic products do not penetrate deeply enough to reach your bloodstream. Cosmetics, particularly skincare products, are intended to benefit only the skin's outer layer (the epidermis and sometimes the dermis).

Do skin care products work?

Yes, beauty products work if the ingredients listed in the products are genuine and have an accurate density.