Q: I’ve heard that “layering” skin care products is OK, but how do I avoid the heavy, bogged down feeling (especially when I want to apply makeup afterward)?
Esthetician Catie Wiggy of MyChelle Dermaceuticals responds:
A: We’ve all been there: one too many layers of product, and our skin goes from dewy and fresh to one sticky mess. Knowing how to layer skin care products can be a challenge, so here are some simple rules to follow when applying more than one skin care product at a time:
Always start fresh. Cleanse your face every morning and every evening. Washing away dirt and debris is the first step in a healthy, balanced skincare regimen. Remember to cleanse for 60-90 seconds so deep impurities can be purged from the skin.
Apply serums right after cleansing. Serums are highly concentrated liquids that penetrate skin and travel even deeper than moisturizers can. Serums can be layered for multiple benefits; just keep in mind less is more when layering these intense solutions. Start with a small amount and use your fingertips to press the serum into your skin. Layer up to as many as three serums, waiting 60 seconds between applications for best absorption. Allowing enough time for the products to seep into the skin will help ensure a balanced complexion versus a heavy, congested mess. A must-have daily duo is the MyChelle Perfect C Serum in the morning to fight free radical damage and protect skin’s health, and Remarkable Retinal Serum at night to increase cell turnover, minimize wrinkles and soften skin’s texture.
Mist after applying serums. For an extra boost in hydration and antioxidants, apply skincare mist over your serums. With eyes closed, hold the mist roughly 12 inches from face and gently spray. You can also use the mist throughout the day to rehydrate. MyChelle mists are loaded with powerful hydrators and bioactive ingredients like Applephenon™ (antioxidant awesomeness) in Apple Brightening Mist, superfruit mangosteen (a stellar collagen supporter that’s rich in vitamin C) in the Fruit Enzyme Mist and blue lotus (rich in flavonoids and is anti-inflammatory)found in the Pure Harmony Mist.
Follow mist with creams and moisturizers. The next layer after a mist should be your creams or moisturizers. Applying your moisturizers and eye creams are something you want to do both morning and evening. Two top anti-aging favorites in the MyChelle collection are Fabulous Eye Cream and Supreme Polypeptide Cream. Fabulous Eye Cream is an advanced formula that nourishes the delicate eye area while minimizing the look of fine lines, and Supreme Polypeptide Cream is a nutrient-rich re-contouring cream that lifts and re-texturizes skin for a more refined, youthful appearance.
Finish with sunscreen. Last but not least for your skincare basics, apply your sun protection. Shielding your skin from the harmful UVA/UVB rays is essential for healthy skin. This time of year, try a high level sunscreen like Replenishing Solar Defense SPF 30 which works to avert photo damage, reduce the appearance of fine lines and maintain moisture levels.
Now you can apply concealers, foundations, powders and any other cosmetics you choose!
Bonus tip: Less is more, really! Always start with less and apply more as needed for desired results.