Layering a serum on top of a moisturiser is like putting your socks on top of your shoes, it's just WRONG.
When it comes to layering your skincare products it can seem quite complicated. There are so many different combinations of products and ingredients, so it can become a bit overwhelming. But don’t stress bestie, establishing the correct process is much easier than you think. Let’s break it down…
Do you need a skincare routine?
Firstly, we are shocked you’re even asking! Yes, you need a skincare routine. Whether it's a basic 3-step, cleanse, moisturise, SPF, or an in-depth hour-long 8-step routine, we suggest implementing some type of routine to make sure your skin is getting all the goodness (and sun protection) it deserves.
Must-haves in a skincare routine
Let’s strip it back to the basics, the 3 must-have products that can be the base of any routine. The first essential is a good cleanser, there are so many different types of cleansers on the market, so determining which one is best suited for you will depend on your skin type.
Cleansers
If you have acne-prone skin, the tbh anti-bacterial cleanser will become your best friend. It removes unwanted congestion without stripping or drying your skin and fights breakout-causing bacteria with a patented technology. If you have more sensitive skin and want something more gentle, the tbh gentle cleanser is for you! It's a lightly foaming cleanser that doesn’t dry out your skin and is suited to sensitive and breakout-prone skin.
Moisturisers
Next up is moisturiser, the tbh thirst trap moisturiser is great for day or night wear and is suitable for oily skin & acne-prone skin. It is lightweight, yet still provides adequate hydration and barrier support with pentavitin, amino acids, squalane, apricot kernel oil, jojoba esters, olive oil, and vitamin E.
SPFs
The last essential product in any routine is going to be SPF. If you're not wearing SPF every day, this is the number one non-negotiable you must start including in your daily routine. tbh Skincare’s skin shady SPF50+ is a great sunscreen for everyday wear. It's oil-free, non-greasy, and non-comedogenic, meaning it's great for those with acne-prone skin. It also doubles as a moisturiser and sits super well under makeup. A true all-rounder!
While these 3 products are the must-have products in a skincare routine, you may also want to introduce some other products to step up your game. A serum can work wonders for your skin by delivering a high concentration of ingredients, to target specific skin concerns such as redness, texture, pigmentation, and more.
To read more about serums and the benefits of incorporating one into your daily routine, click here.
How to layer skincare
Layering your skincare can seem like an art form but, once you figure it out, it's super simple to follow. One thing to keep in mind is that your AM and PM routines will look different. Some ingredients can make your skin quite sensitive to the sun and other products wouldn’t make sense in your evening routine (like SPF, duh!), so it's important to be mindful of what products we’re applying to our skin at what times of the day.
How to layer skincare in the morning
Waking up each morning and applying your morning skincare is such a nice way to start the day. A little bit of pamper time in the morning before your busy day starts! Here is a step-by-step breakdown of what you can be incorporating into your morning routine:
- Cleanse: Grab your preferred cleanser, either the gentle cleanser or anti-bacterial cleanser, and using a pea-sized amount of product, wash your face. For more on how to cleanse read here.
- Serum: You want to be applying your thinnest products first so, generally this is going to mean serums are applied to the skin at the beginning of your routine. Take rebound and apply this all over your skin.
- Moisturiser: After applying all of your desired serums take your thirst trap moisturiser and apply about a pea-sized amount to your face, making sure it's all rubbed in.
- Sunscreen: Probably the most crucial part of your morning skincare routine is making sure that you apply your SPF. Skin shady SPF 50+ works as a moisturiser, SPF, and primer all in one and it sits nicely under your makeup for day-to-day wear.
How to layer skincare in the night
Your night skincare routine is where your more intense products belong, like retinol, AHA’s, or acne creams. This is also where you need to make sure you remove all of your SPF and makeup from the day. Here is a breakdown of what your night routine should look like:
- Cleanser: Even though you already cleansed in the morning, it's important to double down and also cleanse at night to ensure that all bacteria, makeup, oil, and dirt that has built up throughout the day is removed. We would recommend applying a micellar water or another form of makeup remover prior to cleansing. If you don’t use a makeup remover prior to cleansing, then it is important that you double-cleanse in the evening. Use your preferred cleanser of either the gentle cleanser or anti-bacterial cleanser.
- Acne cream: Follow up with the tbh acne hack cream if you have any active breakouts. This should be applied as a spot treatment to your pimples. After application, allow the product to sit on the skin for 5 minutes to properly soak in before layering products over the top.
- Serum: After allowing the acne hack cream to soak in, follow up with the rebound serum along with any other serums or ‘actives’ you like to apply.
- Moisturiser: Then it’s time to go in with your thirst trap moisturiser. Applying moisturiser as the final step helps to lock in all your other products and seal them in with a final layer of hydration.
- Pimple patches: If you have any breakouts, particularly on the surface of your skin more commonly referred to as whiteheads, then you are going to want to reach for your pimple patches as the last step of your routine. After you’ve applied all your products, let your skin sit for roughly 5 minutes allowing the products to soak in. Once your skin has soaked up all the goodness from our other products, go in and apply your pimple patches directly to the whitehead pimple. If you're after a more in-depth how-to guide for how to apply your pimple patches, read here. For more information on how pimple patches work, read here.
How to layer skincare and makeup
Makeup application after finishing your skincare routine is quite simple. After applying your moisturiser and SPF you are free to layer on your makeup over the top. The tbh skin shady SPF surprisingly works very effectively as a primer for your makeup and creates the perfect base without clogging your pores… Our founder Rach even applies it before she does her makeup for a night out (even after the sun has gone down) because she loves how it primes her skin for makeup so much!
Now that you know exactly how to layer your skincare like a pro, we no longer need to worry about you applying your serum over your moisturiser or your cleanser straight after SPF. Layering your products doesn’t need to be so complicated, once you’ve figured out your routine it's all smooth sailing from there bestie.
