There are so many different skincare techniques and tips out there to try, but one that has become increasingly popular in recent years is layering. 

Layering skincare products is exactly what it sounds like; applying multiple skincare products over the top of each other. It’s a concept that began in Asia and has quickly spread around the world due to how it can boost the complexion. Keep reading as Lavelier talks you through some of the benefits that come from layering skincare products, along with how to do this in the right way.

Improved Product Absorption

One of the biggest benefits that comes from layering skincare products is increased absorption. This essentially means that when skincare products are layered in the correct way, your skin is able to absorb more of them than it would have if your products hadn’t been layered. 

This all comes down to how certain products provide occlusive properties. This means that they form their own individual barrier over the skin, which locks in both moisture as well as any other products that you’ve already applied. Sealing in active ingredients in this way prevents them from evaporating out of the skin, making them significantly more effective.

Science backs this up, with studies showing that the absorption of active ingredients can increase by up to 80% when skincare products have been layered in the right way. As you can imagine, this means that you’ll see much better results from each product that you use, as well as from your overall skincare routine.

Better Results From Combining Certain Products and Ingredients

Sometimes, certain skincare ingredients and products work better when they’re combined with other specific compounds. Take vitamin C and SPF, for example. Research shows that applying a vitamin C serum to your skin before layering a sunscreen over the top can leave the skin feeling even more protected against sun damage. This will also help to counter the look of any damage that your skin has already undergone. Vitamin C is fantastic at fading the appearance of dullness, discoloration, and wrinkles. 

Antioxidants are another ingredient group that benefits from being layered. Research has found that antioxidants work best when they’re combined with other antioxidants and plant chemicals. Layer two antioxidant-rich serums together, such as the Oceana VitaGlow C Sérum and the Seagrass Phyto Silk, and your skin will look all the better for it!

The Ability to Target Individual Skin Concerns

The alternative to layering skincare products is to only use one product on your skin. However, if you’re currently dealing with more than one visible skin concern, you would struggle to address them all with just one single product.

This may not be an issue when you’re young and your skin still looks relatively healthy and damage-free. However, as your skin ages, you’ll start to experience more issues, and layering skincare will help you to tackle these. 

Say, for example, you have fine lines around your eyes and mouth, along with dry patches on your cheeks and a couple of dots of discoloration elsewhere on your face. Layering the Lavelier Nano Gold Serum with the highly moisturizing Halophil Encapsulated Serum will enable you to tackle the look of both creases and dryness. You could then also add in the Lavelier Skin Clair Repair to lighten the look of your dark spots.

Layering Skincare Products: Top Tips

Now that you understand some of the benefits that come from layering skincare products, let’s talk about how to actually do so in the most effective way:

Always Start With Clean Skin

The main purpose of layering skincare products is to enhance product absorption. However, if you apply your skincare products to dirty skin, you’ll be blocking absorption before it has even begun. All of the dirt, sebum, and other impurities on your skin’s surface will form a layer that skincare products will struggle to penetrate through. Instead, they’ll end up sitting on the surface of your skin. This will leave you more susceptible to dullness, clogged pores, and breakouts.

Your layering efforts will only be successful if you make sure that your skin has been freshly cleansed. Of course, since you’ll be subjecting your skin to multiple ingredients, you’ll need to make sure that the cleanser you’re using is a gentle one. After all, you don’t want to risk irritating your skin before you’ve even begun!

This is where the Lavelier Biology Mousse Cleanser shines. This cleanser forms a beautiful lather that thoroughly cleanses the skin. However, unlike a foaming cleanser, this sulfate-free formula is extremely gentle on the skin. It’s packed with hydrating and moisturizing ingredients, along with a few compounds that reduce the feeling of irritation and inflammation. The result is skin that feels deeply cleansed and ultra-refreshed.

Go From Light to Heavy

When it comes to layering skincare products, there’s a general rule that you should be following; start with your lightest skincare product and gradually work your way up to the heaviest. This will enable you to make the most of the occlusive properties of your products. Your heavier formulas will seal those lighter ones in, as opposed to blocking them from entering your skin if you had applied them first.

So, what exactly does this light-to-heavy rule involve?

Well, after cleansing, this means following up with a toner, such as the Lavelier Marine Facial Toner. Toners have a very watery consistency and are likely to be the lightest of all of your skincare products.

If you use an essence, this comes next, followed by serums. Again, go with the light-to-heavy rule when applying your serums if you’re using more than one. Next up, eye care products, which can then be topped off with your face moisturizer and some SPF.

Know When to Apply SPF

Speaking of SPF…

Most people assume that this is the last product that they should be applying. However, this isn’t always the case. Instead, it depends on the type of sunscreen that you’re using.

SPF products can all be categorized as either chemical or mineral. This determines how they function. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays, convert them to heat, and then release them from the body. Meanwhile, mineral sunscreens deflect UV rays from reaching the skin.

Chemical sunscreens will only work well if your skin is able to absorb them. For this reason, they should be layered underneath your moisturizer. If you apply one on top, your moisturizer will prevent a large portion of those active ingredients from being absorbed.

On the other hand, mineral sunscreens do best when they’re layered over the top of a moisturizer. This way, they can sit on the outermost surface of your skin, where they can effectively block UV rays.

If this sounds a little confusing, one way to simplify things is by using an SPF moisturizer, like the Lavelier Divine Day Defense SPF 30. This will enable you to moisturize and protect your skin at the same time, without having to worry about which one goes first. 

Give Each Product Enough Time to Settle

Since layering skincare products involves applying multiple products to your skin, this can sometimes take a while. This means that your skincare routine will take longer to get through. This can sometimes be frustrating, especially if you’re in a rush. As a result, many try to speed through their skincare routines, applying one product immediately after the next.

However, this can actually be detrimental, countering the benefits that layering provides. Each product that you apply needs a bit of time to sink into your skin before the next one comes along. If you rush this process, you’ll only end up wiping away and diluting your previous product when you apply the next one. This will render that previous product useless.

Ideally, wait for about a minute in between applying each of your products. If this means that your skincare routine is going to drag on for an unrealistic length of time, consider layering fewer products when you’re in a hurry, saving your full, unedited skincare routine for when you have more time.

Keep Targeted Treatments Close to Your Skin

Rules always have exceptions, and the light-to-heavy rule of layering skincare is no different. In this case, the exception would be when it comes to targeted treatments that contain potent active ingredients. 

Say, for example, you have an anti-acne cream that you need to use each day. Following the light-to-heavy rule would mean applying that product after you’ve applied your serums. However, this means that it will take longer for the active ingredients in your cream to work their way to your skin, since they’ll have to first go through all of those serums that you’ve already applied. 

So, instead, when dealing with targeted treatments, apply these closer to your bare skin, either immediately after cleansing or after toning. This will give those active ingredients easier access to your skin cells, enabling them to get their job done properly.

Be Clever With Retinoids

Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that can help with so many visible skin concerns. From reducing the appearance of wrinkles to lightening the look of dark spots, retinoids are powerful skincare superstars.

While that may be the case, you need to be careful about how you layer retinoid skincare products. If your retinoid product is a targeted treatment, you may choose to apply it directly to your skin after cleansing. However, with retinoids being so potent, this could leave your skin irritated.

So, again, you may need to deviate from the light-to-heavy rule. If retinoids cause your skin to react, layer them over the top of your serums, or even your moisturizer. This will make the ingredients less potent as they won’t be in direct contact with your skin cells. Over time, as your skin grows accustomed to the retinoids you’re using, you’ll be able to layer them differently. You can start bringing them closer to your skin without having to deal with negative reactions.

Summary

As you can see, layering skincare products offers several key benefits, but it also requires a fair bit of planning. If you want to experience the benefits that we’ve mentioned above, learning how to layer your products in the correct way is absolutely vital. It may take some getting used to but, in the end, your efforts will be worthwhile as your entire skincare routine will become so much more effective!

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