Reveal Your Skin’s True Potential with These 9 Guaranteed Steps

Beauty Tips With Devine Complexions: Step Into Skincare
By Christine Lewy, Licensed Esthetician & Award-Winning West Coast GloSkinBeauty Makeup Artist

💄 Apply order to your daily skin routine 💋

What’s the best order to apply your skincare routine? While some steps may be obvious, others not so much. Just as important as the products you choose are the way you apply them and the order.

1 Pre-Cleanse > The secret to an effective, thorough cleanse starts here. Start with a makeup remover to purify and remove any traces of makeup, excess oils and other debris from the face and delicate eye area.

2 Cleanse > The most important step in your skincare routine is cleansing. Quite simply, cleansing removes excess oil, any leftover makeup residue, free radicals built up over the day and any other impurities. Cleanse both morning and evening, regardless of if you wear makeup. It’s important to wash the day away with your pre-cleanser, then go in for a deeper cleanse.

3 Exfoliate > Glowing skin is linked to exfoliation, which encourages the cell regeneration process, and removes dull surface cells and follicle debris. It can also break up areas of discoloration to reveal brighter skin. One of the benefits I love is how exfoliation helps clear the skin to allow other products to absorb more easily. Start by exfoliating once a week in the morning or evening (not both) and increase if needed (up to five times a week). Use a liquid exfoliant or scrub, depending on your needs.

4 Mask > Treat your skin with a mask one to three evenings per week to nourish skin beyond the uppermost layers. Find the mask that fits your needs. There are masks for breakout-prone skin, dry skin, aging skin or to give an instant glow.

5 Tone > Toners assist in evening out skin’s porosity, giving your serum and moisturizer a smoother, more even application. Tone after cleansing morning and night. Depending on the toner, use your hands or a cotton pad to press into the skin.

6 Face and Eye Serum > A serum is the ultimate product for transforming your skin. Skincare serum formulations are concentrated and absorb quickly to a deeper level of the skin, delivering active ingredients to target your skin issues. During the day, use a vitamin C serum for its antioxidant benefits. Vitamin C protects the skin from free radicals while promoting healthy collagen and skin brightness. At night, use a serum that targets your skin conditions, whether it’s acne, sensitivity, hyperpigmentation, uneven texture or aging. With regular use, serums will help you tackle any skin concern and get one step closer to the radiant, healthy complexion you desire. For products with retinol, allow up to 30 minutes for penetration prior to applying moisturizer for optimal benefits.

7 Eye Products > Follow your serum with a nourishing eye cream. An eye cream will deliver targeted ingredients dosed preciously for the delicate eye area, where the skin is a little thinner, to help brighten, de-puff, and reduce the appearance of dark shadows and fine lines. Pat your eye cream gently, never rubbing or pulling at the skin. 

8 Moisturize > Moisturizing skincare helps your skin maintain its optimal moisture level by using a moisturizer morning and evening that helps seal and treat surface dehydration. Regardless of skin type, it’s important to moisturize twice daily. It not only encourages healthy cell turnover but helps fight the signs of aging.

9 Sun Protection > I can’t stress enough the importance of SPF all day, every day, even in winter. Daily application of SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50% according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Don’t just apply it to your face; apply it to all exposed areas of skin, including your chest, neck and the back of your hands each morning.