Layer Smarter: Avoid Mistakes When Combining Skincare Ingredients

How to Layer Skin Care Ingredients

The best way to layer skin care ingredients and products in your skin care routine depends upon which ingredients the products contain.

This blog discusses product layering and how skin care ingredients interact with each other.

I will discuss what should be considered when designing a skin care routine and how to correctly layer different types of skin care products.

Keep reading to learn more about how individual ingredient characteristics determine how you should combine cosmeceutical ingredients together. You will also learn which products come first in your routine.

Or- take the smartest route!

Take our skin care routine quiz and we will customize a skin care routine for your Baumann Skin Type. You will be able to shop from many brands for each regimen step with the confidence that the products are both right for you and in the correct skin care routine order.

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2 ingredients combine to form a third ingredient

Ingredients have the opportunity to interact with each other when they are:

formulated in skin care products

in contact with each other or mixed together in your hand before applying

layered on your skin above or below other products

applied later in the day or night on top of other products

how to layer skin care products on the skin

Does layering skin care products work?

Two products layered together will act differently than if they are used alone. When you layer the correct products together, you can increase the effectiveness of both.

But if you layer the wrong products together, you can decrease effectiveness and increase side effects.

Using retinoids before or after a moisturizer is a good example of how layering effects how products work.

How to layer skin care products and ingredients

Many skin care routine instructions tell you to wait 3-10 minutes after each layer before applying the next layer. In some cases this will work, but it is best if you use a skin care routine designed so that each layer compliments the next. This way when the ingredients from the various layers combine- you get an even better result.

This is why it is so important to have a skin care routine customized for your Baumann Skin type.

Once you take the quiz and find your skin type- we will help you build a skin care routine that insures that the products are layered properly.

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skin care products combine like paint does to form a new product

How to layer serums and acids?

Acids can change how well products work by lowering the pH- so the best way to layer serums and acids really depends on which types of ingredients and products you are layering.

The best way to combine a serum and an acid is to use a low pH acid cleanser like a hydroxy acid. This way the acid is washed off the skin before the serum is applied- leaving the skin a lower pH for 3-5 minutes.

Why acid cleansers should be used before serums:

If used before a Vitamin C serum, the low pH will help the ascorbic acid penetrate.

Increases exfoliation which helps serums absorb

Loosens attachments between skin cells helping serums penetrate into the skin

Why you should not layer acidic moisturizers with serums

Most moisturizers have a high pH due to fatty acids, but hydroxy acid moisturizers have a low acidic pH.

Some ingredients get inactivated by an acidic pH such as peptides, and growth factors. These can be applied after acidic cleansers are rinsed off, but should not be layered with acidic moisturizers such as hydroxy acid creams. Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid can all decrease effectiveness of some antiaging ingredients if layered together.

An acid pH might break open exosomes before they can penetrate to the dermis, which would decrease efficacy of exosome serums.

There are many intricacies with designing a custom skin care routine for your skin type, so make sure you know which of the 16 skin types you are and design your routine accordingly.

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How to layer retinol with other ingredients

This is such a complex topic that it has it’s own blog called How to use retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin C together.

You can also look at the sections below for which ingredients to use together with retinol and what not to use with retinol.

Retinol Before or After Serum

When to use retinol, Retin A and other retinoids in your skin care routine depends upon many factors. See this blog for more information.

Peptides and Retinol Together

Peptides tend to inactivate other ingredients or clump up with other peptides. For this reason, it is best not to use retinol with a large amount of peptides. If the peptide are low down on the ingredient list on the product label in a product separate from retinol, it should be ok, but do not use a product with retinol and peptides unless I have recommended a specific one for you in your custom skin care routine.

Retinol and Vitamin C Together

It is very hard to stabilize and formulate Vitamin C and retinoids together so these should not be combined in the same product. But you can use them in the same skin care routine. Vitamin

C should come first, followed by retinol- at night only.

Learn more at How to use retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin C together.

Retinol and Glycolic Acid (AHA) Together

It is not easy to formulate retinol and AHA together. The brand Skinbetter has done this but in my opinion it is best to use a glycolic acid or AHA cleanser in the am or pm and a separate retinoid at night. There are many reasons for this including better retinol stability and a mor flexible regimen if over-exfoliation occurs. You have the ability to stop one or the other if thy are in separate product. You could also alternate- an AHA one day and a retinoid another day.

How to layer serums and moisturizers?

In general serums come first in routines and moisturizers are layered on top.

The only exception to this is if the serums are actually face oils rather than water-based serums.

How to layer face oils and moisturizers?

There are many different types of face oils and moisturizers.

(Note that some oils are actually essential oils and not true moisturizers.)

When face oils should be used in the regimen depends upon many factors including which Baumann Skin Type you are and what moisturizer and oils you want to use together.

In general- apply the face cream first and use the oil after. This way the oil provides occlusion and slugs the moisturizer into the skin.

How to layer SkinMedica products?

The best step order of SkinMedica products in your skin care routine depends upon your Baumann Skin Type.

General advice on how to layer SkinMedica skin care products:

Always use the TNS recovery complex or growth factor serum first. The growth factors are unstable and need to have the highest change of absorption.

SkinMedica Lytera should be used either as the 2nd or 3rd step in your skin care routine depending on which Baumann Skin Type you are.

The HA5 serum comes after the growth factor, vitamin C. or skin lightening serum. Hyaluronic acid serums will increase absorption of other products. This can increase side effects from retinol, so not all skin types should use the SkinMedica HA5 serum.

Apply SkinMedica Dermal Repair cream after TNS Recovery complex, Essential Serum or HA5

When to use SkinMedica Retinol in your skin care routine depends on variables discussed in this blog.

If you choose to use the Skinmedica retinol, apply it after the TNS Essential serum.

Make sure SkinMedica products are right for your skin type before you buy.

Take the quiz to build a skin care routine in the correct step order with products right for your skin type.

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How to layer SkinCeuticals products?

The order that you use Skinceuticals products will greatly affect how well they work.

Always use SkinCeuticals products in this order:

Cleanser

Vitamin C serum such as SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, Pfloretin or AOX10 serum

HA serum

Triple Lipid Repair Moisturizer

Retinoid

When to use the retinoid will vary from skin type to skin type so read this blog about when to use SkinCeuticals retinol. It can be more irritating than other retinols, so make sure you use it as prescribed.

These products and this step order of SkinCeuticals products is not right for all 16 skin types, so take the quiz and we will give you the exact skin care routine steps to match your Baumann Skin Type.

Make sure SkinCeuticals products are right for your skin type before you buy.

Find a dermatologist near you or take the quiz.

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How to layer La Roche-Posay products in your skin care regimen?

La Roche-Posay has products to treat many different skin concerns. The order you should use the LRP products depends upon your Baumann Skin Type and which products you are using. Your best bet is to take the skin care routine quiz and we will show you what skin care routine steps for you to use.

The advice below is general advice from dermatologists on what order to use La Roche-Posay Products.

Five tips on how to layer La Roche-Posay Products:

Use the La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum in step 2 after cleansing

Use the Effaclar Adapalene gel 0.1% Topical Retinoid after your moisturizer when beginning the retinoid.

When to use (and if to use) Hydraphase HA Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer or Face Cream depends on your skin type. It will increase absorption of other products.

Apply susncreen last in the am

Always apply retinol or adapalene at night.

To get more specific advice- we need to know your skin type.

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What Order Do I Put on Drunk Elephant Products?

Of course it depends on which of the 16 skin types you are.

Dermatologist do not recommend Drunk Elephant because medical grade skin care brands give better results. But- I get asked this a lot so I included it here.

If you choose to use Drunk Elephant- this s the best way to layer the products for most skin types.

In general this is the best way to layer Drunk Elephant Products in the morning:

ERase Milke Micellar Water

Shaba Complex Eye Serum

C Firma Fresh day Serum

Protini Polypeptide Cream

SPF

How to layer Drunk Elephant Products at night:

Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser

CeraMightly AF Eye Balm to protect eye area

Vitamin C Serum or Glycolic acid serum

Lala Retro Whipped Cream Fouettee Moisturizer

Drunk Elephant A Passioni Retinol Cream

Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

No matter what skin care brand you choose- laying the products in the correct order is critical to get good results.

I prefer combining the best products from various brands for my patients. To see what I would recommend for you, build a custom skin care routine using the same software that dermatologists use.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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