Afternoon beauty fix: Does the order of your skincare routine matter?

Date January 31, 2012

Now that I’ve added a facial oil to my regular skincare routine, how do I know what order to apply each product? Does it even matter?
Yep, it most definitely matters. Think of it this way: whichever item goes on first will penetrate your skin the deepest. A good rule of thumb for both instances is to apply in order of concentration from thinnest to thickest. After cleansing in the morning, a simpler serum like jojoba or coconut oil will maintain optimal moisture levels in your skin until the sun goes down. Follow up with a more luxurious cream like L’Oréal Youth Code Day/Night cream ($25, at drugstores), which serves a moisture barrier for your dermis in the day, and, after you’ve applied an evening serum, it’s an intoxicating night-cap. And, speaking of evening serums: after cleansing your face at night, a concentrated serum will help penetrate the dermis, taking maximum advantage of the ingredients’ efficacy. Dermalogica Overnight Repair serum ($88, dermalogica.ca) has a laundry list of antioxidants and vitamins. The Argan oil and brown seaweed will maintain your lipid layer and seal nutrients below the barrier of your skin—allowing your complexion to regenerate rapidly by the light of the moon.

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