When it comes to putting together a skincare routine that really works for your unique skin type, there are so many questions that can pop up. With so many active ingredients out there, it can be hard to know what to choose, never mind how to put them all together to get the largest impact. That's where layering comes in. Layering allows you to use all the wonderful components to feed your skin and gain that beautiful glow you're searching for.
One of the most common questions we hear at Birch Sisters is “why don't you put all those ingredients into one product?” Well, the short of it is, that's just not possible. While it would be great to include all the vitamins, antioxidants, botanicals, etc. into one perfect product, that product would likely cost a fortune and not contain enough of any one ingredient to really do the job. Most actives are only a small fraction of a total formulation; the other ingredients are included to compliment the active ingredient and further nurture your skin for optimal results.
So, how do you put together all your products to get the very best results? Easy! Just start with the lightest product and work your way to the heaviest, like this:
1. Wash your face. Easy enough. Just make sure you're using a quality cleanser that does not strip your skin of the naturally occurring oils.
2. Tone your skin. A quality toner will help to remove any excess dirt and oil that your cleanser may have missed. Further, it can add moisture as well as nutrients to the skin while absorbing quickly so as not to feel heavy.
3. Water-based serums. There are different serums out there, but a water-based serum should be applied first, as they will absorb faster than an oil-based one. Water-based serums, such as hyaluronic acid or certain Vitamin Cs, will contain different actives than an oil-based serum.
4. Oil-based serums. Once the water-based serum is fully absorbed, it's time for any oil products. These serums might include actives such as CoQ10 or certain Vitamin C's.
5. Treat the undereye. Undereye creams typically are thinner in consistency than face creams, and therefore are applied first.
6. Moisturize. The last step is to moisturize with a face cream or lotion. This step will provide lasting moisture all day or night.
While that might look like a lot of steps, not all of them are completely necessary, depending on your skin type. For example, someone with dry skin may need more moisturizers, while someone with normal or oily skin might only need an oil serum or a moisturizer. The wonderful thing about formulating your own skincare routine is that you can put in what works and keep out what doesn't work for you. You can also change up your daytime vs. nighttime rituals to pack in more amazing results!
Looking to get started on your own skincare system? Look no further! We did the hard work for you with our customizable full skincare system... and it's 10% cheaper than doing it yourself! Still having trouble deciding on which toner or serum is right for you? No problem, shoot us an email, we love helping people achieve radiant results!!
*Our under eye cream and facial moisturizer are still in the works. Watch for these to be added to our store and our skincare bundle soon!!