Many people who follow a daily skincare routine often unknowingly make mistakes when it comes to applying their products in the correct order.
One of the most common errors is applying oils too early in the routine.
However, Irish Aesthetician, Eavanna Breen, highlights that proper layering is essential to ensure your skin gets the full benefit of each product.
Breen explains that the general rule of thumb is to go from lightest to heaviest in terms of product consistency.
“So you think of water-based first,” she says. “The lighter the consistency, that’s what goes on to the skin first.”
In practical terms, this means that if you’re using a water-based serum or any lightweight, hydrating product, this should be the first step after cleansing your skin.
A light moisturiser would follow in your skincare routine, providing an additional layer of hydration.
Once you’ve applied those lighter layers, you can move on to your creams, which tend to have a thicker consistency.
Finally, oils should be the last step in your routine. As Breen points out, “your oils would be the last thing to go on.”
Why is this important?
Oils act as a barrier, locking in the moisture and active ingredients from the products applied earlier in your routine.
If you apply an oil too early, it can block lighter, water-based products from penetrating the skin effectively.
So, while facial oils can be great for hydration and giving your skin a healthy glow, they need to be applied at the right stage for maximum benefit.
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