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If you’re a woman, you probably have a cream for this, a serum for that, and then sunscreen to boot! Like many women, you may wonder which should be applied first to achieve the maximum benefits from your daily skincare routine. Double-check your layering knowledge here with Eyesthetica’s breakdown on how to properly layer skincare products, sunscreen, and makeup.

Apply from Thin to Thick

After cleansing your face, there may be countless creams, serums, and elixirs awaiting you. Which should you apply first? The dermatologist’s rule of thumb is to look at the thickness of the product and apply products starting from thinnest to thickest. As an example, a serum should be applied before a cream. If products are the same consistency, pick the one that best addresses your skin concerns and apply that one first.

Select Sunscreen Based on Your Day

Will you be indoors most of the day, working at a desk? Or are you spending the day at the park with the kids? Perhaps you’re doing a mix of indoor and outdoor activities during the day. As a general rule, sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 should be applied to the face every day. A lot of moisturizers and foundations incorporate sunscreen, and so it is easy to get out of the habit of applying sunscreen as a separate step in your skincare routine. But when you are spending time outdoors, you should apply sunscreen with a higher SPF. Sunscreen should be applied after moisturizing and applying any medications or treatments to the face, but before applying makeup. SkinMedica’s Environmental Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+ is a water-resistant sunscreen recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation for providing optimum sun protection for the face and body.

Mixing Makeup with Sunscreen

When applying sunscreen before makeup, wait a few minutes between applications to let the sunscreen fully absorb. To minimize the diluting effect that your makeup has on the sunscreen, apply your foundation using these tips:

  • Use a sponge or a brush
  • Apply in downward motions
  • Do not rub back and forth when applying
  • Set your foundation with powder

Use High-Quality Products

The higher the quality of skincare products that you use together, the better chance you have at protecting your skin against damage that causes sagging skin and wrinkles. To maintain or regain a youthful appearance, SkinMedica skincare has been used for almost two decades by women with all types of skin. We carry SkinMedica products at each of our Eyesthetica locations. To learn more about these products, call Eyesthetica today at (213) 451-6824.