Let’s talk beauty! Skincare routines are a part of our daily lives, yet they differ from person to person in terms of skin type, choice of products, and the order in which products are applied. That being said, layering on skincare products is common practice, yet some face issues if they go overboard with it. There is also a common misconception wherein those with oily skin believe one moisturiser (or no moisturiser) is all their skin can tolerate, but that is false. If you want to treat various skin concerns, you can’t always rely on just one product. You will need to layer on products, although taking a pause after applying each of them is highly recommended. Here’s why.
Why Take A Pause?
Each skincare product needs to properly settle into the skin before you go to the next one. This ensures you get the most out of each product. It also prevents formulas from mixing and piling up instead of getting absorbed by the skin efficiently. A pause to let your skin absorb the product will strengthen your skin barrier and make layering more effective.
The Order Of Skincare Layering
According to a typical K-beauty skincare routine, the layering order goes as: oil-based cleanser, water-based cleanser, exfoliator, toner, essence, ampoule, serum, sheet mask, eye cream, moisturiser, and SPF. The idea is to first apply products with active ingredients (which are typically serums and ampoules), then you seal in moisture with richer formulas. Cleanse, treat, and protect is the agenda of skincare layering.
Also Read: Skincare Quotes
How Long To Pause Between Products?
There is no magic number, although a minimum of 30 seconds should be maintained. It may be tempting to get done with your skincare routine quickly, but that haste can do more harm than good.
Product Timelines To Follow
Here is a guide to approximately how long you should wait for each skincare product to be absorbed by the skin.
Acne Treatments: 1 to 2 minutes
Topical prescription creams for treating acne definitely need a good wait time so that it works on the affected areas well.
Serums & Ampoules: 1 minute
Serums and ampoules are concentrated formulas, even though they are lightweight. They require a minute to seep into pores.
Retinol: 0 seconds
Retinols have generally fast-absorbing formulas and so you do not have to wait for it to get absorbed.
Moisturiser: 2 minutes
The richer the moisturiser the more time it needs to get absorbed. Giving it enough time to set will dictate whether your skin looks greasy or hydrated.
Sunscreen: 3 minutes
If sunscreen mixes with other products it gets less effective and that could be damaging to your skin. Therefore it is best to give it a good time window.
So, press pause every chance you get!
Featured Image: Pexels
