Skin Care Product Application Tips

Help on Applying Skin Care Products

Can you please tell me if you recommend moisturizing first or applying a medication first?

If I moisturize first do I then apply a barrier that the medication can not penetrate?

Kris

If you're talking about a true medication - something prescribed by your doctor - please ask your doctor how it should be applied.

If you're talking about OTC treatment creams, serums, etc., I can provide a couple of guidelines.

Leave time for absorption between applications.

You don't want to dilute your treatment creams. For example, sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes before going into the sun. So that is usually the first to be applied. Once you can no longer feel the sunscreen on your skin, proceed with your next step.

Usually moisturizer is the last to be applied before your makeup. I can think of only one exception and that is the Botox-mimicking serums containing argiriline. The reason for applying this last is because it should be concentrated on the lines of expression and not spread around the entire face.

As an example, my morning routine after cleansing my face is

• Cellex-C Water Resistant Sunscreen, SPF30
• wait
• Neutrogena Visibly Firm Night Cream (for wrinkle reduction and to promote new collagen and elastin)
• wait
• Reviva Alpha Lipoic Acid Vitamin C Ester & DMAE Cream (as moisturizer, antioxidant, exfoliant, facial muscle tightener, and pore tightener)
• wait
• Avon Clinical Deep Crease Serum (to relax lines of expression)
• wait
• makeup

Notice I use some skin care products for daytime that are designed for nighttime use. There are two reasons for that. I love the way they work; and I have very dry skin so the night creams are not too heavy for me. Everyone is different.

This article is for information only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.