If you are working towards being an esthetician or are just really into skincare, you may have heard the question, “When is the right time to apply products?” Skincare products can be applied day or night but some have better benefits when applied at the right time of day. The Skin Insititute wants to help estheticians or consumers have proper facts about their skin and help you educate others too.
Daytime Routine
Your daytime routine should wake your skin up, calm the skin, and hydrate it for the remainder of the day. The following are the recommended steps for your morning routine and the right time to apply products in the right order.
Cleanser- Cleanser helps to remove dirt and bacteria from your skin and gives you a glowing complexion. Cleansing in the morning helps remove sweat and build-up from the night before. Rinse with lukewarm water and gently pat your skin dry.
Toner- There are multiple toners for different skin types, so make sure you use one that is best for your current skin condition. Toners help replenish your skin after cleansing and help to add hydration or soothe sensitive skin. Using the right one helps to prep the rest of your routine and set you up for success. Use a cotton pad to apply the toner and sweep it across your face. Some toners come in a mist formula so you can spritz it on without touching your skin. Allow the toner to dry before moving on.
Serum- Serums absorb into the skin to help hydrate and protect the skin from pollutants during the day. A little can go a long way when it comes to serums. Gently pat the serum into the skin or use a facial roller from the center of your face moving outward.
Moisturizer- This step is important to keeping your skin healthy for years to come and helping you look more youthful. The right amount of moisturizer can help limit dryness and excessive oil. Gently massage a pea-sized amount into slightly damp skin.
Eye Cream- The skin around your eyes is more sensitive than the rest of your face and needs special attention if you want to avoid sagging and excessive wrinkles. Knowing the right time to apply products is important for eye serum or cream because this can help wake you up and rejuvenate the skin in the morning.
Sunscreen- Even during the winter or cloudy days, sunscreen is non-negotiable. Sunscreen helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays and prevents skin cancer. Apply at least SPF 30 or higher and apply it at least 30 minutes before going outside.
Nighttime Routine
Doing a daytime and nighttime routine can help make your complexion smooth and your skin hydrated. Knowing the right time to apply products and applying them multiple times a day can help keep your skin glowing.
Double Cleanse- Double cleansing helps to ensure that you remove all impurities and bacteria from your skin. During the day your skin sees lots of pollutants and dirt that should be removed before going to bed. Use a cleanser that fits your skin type and start with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup and sunscreen, then use a water-based cleanser to remove sweat and bacteria. Rinse for about 60 seconds and pat the skin dry.
Toner- In the evening you can use the same toner that was included in your night routine. The right time to apply products like toner is whenever you feel your skin needs some extra hydration.
Serum- A serum helps to fuel your skin while you sleep. The best night serum will include AHAs or BHAs, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, or peptides. Using a serum at night will help your skin to repair itself while you sleep so pat it in before hopping into bed.
Moisturizer- The right time to apply products like moisturizer is when the skin is still damp. Moisturizer can help your skin while sleeping, but if you have acne-prone skin, and are using a spot treatment, it may be best to skip over these areas with moisturizer.
During the nighttime routine, you may use a night cream, which is denser than a moisturizer that is absorbed over the course of several hours. Night creams can help make your skin more supple and skin in during the night.
Eye Cream- Eye cream helps with crows’ feet and dark circles that can come from a lack of quality sleep. Use your eye cream before other products to protect this sensitive skin from other potent ingredients.
Retinol- The holy grail of skin care products is retinol, especially when applied at night. Retinol helps your skin regenerate faster, improves skin texture, helps lighten dark spots, reduces oiliness, and unclogs pores. Retinol may not be right for all skin types, so make sure to do some research before applying it. Use caution while pregnant.
Why Time Matters
While the exact hour or time may not matter for your skincare, doing your routines twice a day will help ensure that your skin stays clear and healthy for your whole life. Skincare products help to fuel your skin, just like eating the right foods will help your body.
Using night products during the night and day products during the day will help your skin absorb only exactly what it needs. Night products are usually heavier and help to remove more bacteria that you have gathered throughout the day. Investing money into your skincare routine will only give you a return on your investment if you apply them in optimal order and on time. Quality products only work when applied correctly and consistently.
The Skin Insititute
Our estheticians learn all about proper skincare and how to help you determine what skin type you have. Using the right base products and applying only the products you truly need will improve your skin. Our etheticians can help you know the right time to apply products and what your skin needs at each time of day. The Skin Insititute can help sell you the correct products at the right price. Learn more about our master’s or basic esthetician courses.
