What is the right order to apply your skin care products - Ask Doctor Anne

What is the right order to apply your skin care products in? Or, even more important: What is the wrong order to apply skincare?
Which products come first, where do actives go, and what about the skincare rules you hear online?
Let me talk you through the Dos and the Dont´s of layering skincare!

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As doctor passionate about skin care that delivers results I want to help you quickly and efficiently pick a skin care regime that works by explaining the science behind skin and by sharing quick, no bullshit skin care reviews.

Disclaimer:
I am a doctor, so I do have a good understanding of scientific studies, skin and ingredients. I am however not a trained dermatologist and these videos do not replace a consultation or are a substitute for medical advice.

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[DoctorAnne]

Which rules have you heard when it comes to layering skincare?

[moose]

I saw in a video once a dermatologist say to use organic sunscreens before moisturiser if you are going to use a moisturiser because the sunscreen needs to interact with your skin. I started using a moisturiser before sunscreen though and letting it dry first because I think you are just going to wipe away some sunscreen if you did it the other way. Most people can just use sunscreen as their moisturiser of course.

My layering would go hyaluronic serum, moisturiser, sunscreen (sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen etc. throughout the day). At night hyaluronic serum, moisturiser, moisturiser (maybe moisturiser again). Sometimes I use a 10% lactic acid serum before the hyaluronic serum.

A 2% salicylic acid liquid exfoliant (Paula's Choice) arrived today. It is the "anti-redness" one - the extra strength was out of stock which is probably for the better. The only difference seems to be that the "extra" strength which is also the classic one has a higher concentration of penetration enhancers and less humectant ingredients. The pH is also more acidic in the extra strength (3.4 vs 3.9). I have learned that pH doesn't affect salicylic acid and it could function at a pH of 5 even but the lowet pH will just cause more irritation. Used it after shaving today and no stinging or irritation at all; less irritation than any other acid I have used. And I probably would use it in the morning because it could possibly give some minor UV protection.

When the salicylic acid is finished its job I will likely try tranexamic acid to see if it can fade freckles at all.

I went to the YouTube video criticising the UVA protection and it was actually about the UVAPF being 22.6 when the SPF is 89. From my understanding that means you can spend 22.6 times longer in the sun before tanning, which seems like fine protection to me.

[nathalieolivianja-kwa]

Hi Dr Anne, my routine seems long... I must confess I do have dermatitis or scleroderma overlap dermititis. Do not have the symptoms of scleroderma thanks God. Just the skin playing up with hyperpigmentation and discoloration 🙅🙅🙅. I start start my routine with a cleanser then a toner (clearly corrective exfoliating from Kiehl's and deep hydration rose toner from fresh)... then, black tea kambucha essence, then I mix my hyaluronic acid with vitamin C ( from the inkey list). I then, apply the mixture... Follow by clearly corrective dark spots (from Kiehl's) sometimes I use either the deep hydration rose moisturiser (fresh) or turmeric powder moisturiser (the inkey list) to complete my day routine.🙈🙈 In the evening well, after cleansing my skin I spay it with the (Fresh) vitamin nectar antioxidant then (Caudalie) vinoperfect Essence, then vinoperfect serum and then vinoperfect dark spots correcting cream... I do have dermovate that I am supposed to use but I don't know where to fit it 🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️ please HELP !!! MAYDAY 😲😲 many thanks...

[xEminaxH]

I have been applying my products from thinnest to thickest but the only issue I am having is incorporating other serums with my Vitamin C like for example do alpha Arbutin or niacinamide mix well with Vitamin C serum? Also, other than niacinamide is there anything else you can use that will work well with a Tretinoin? Thank you so much for your work as it is so appreciated.

[valbakke]

Toner before actives? When an essences?

[galato]

Thank you Dr. Anne for your videos. Could you please tell me your thoughts about using The Good Molecules Vitamin C Powder? If yes, could it be mixed with The Ordinary Peptides or The Good Molecules Niacinamide Toner? Have a great night.

[Jennifer-ihde]

Can I use prescribed Aczone (dapsone) gel 7.5% under a vitamin c serum? Also, can I use prescribed adapalene gel .3% underneath the isclinical hydracool serum which contains menthol. Or which combination do you recommend?? Thanks so much if you answer this!

[snezanavl]

Hi Anne so do we apply our retinol after cleansing on dry skin then use serums on top . I have been use the ordinary buffet with copper peptides waiting a minute for it to absorb then applying my olay regenerist retinol 24 cream

[sayongkwan]

I'm so happy to finally found your channel. Thank you for educated videos.
My question is that I read somewhere during my research that skincare layering is also by pH order, so am I understand correctly that layering from acid, thin (watery), thick (creamy), and oil last...or mix acid with other skincare to neutralize the pH, by water-soluble acid with watery skincare and oil-soluble acid with oil? still confusing for me trying to put it together in my head. Thank you in advance for your answer.

[Jennifer-ihde]

Another question, do I need to apply sunscreen even if my daily makeup routine has sunscreen in it? Like would still apply sunscreen under a cc cream that has spf 50?

[javiertrejo]

Hi, can I use a retinol on top of an árgan oil ? ( the ordinary )