Black Caviar 12 in 1 Hair Cream How to Use
Fun fact: I'm a beauty editor, and it took me, uh, many years into my career to figure out the correct order of your skincare routine. Why? Because there's tons of misinformation and seriously bad advice out there (shout-out to your ex–high school friend turned Facebook "skincare consultant"). And although skincare may seem like a "Whatever works! You do you, boo!" situation, it's…not. At all. Because if you don't layer your products in the right order or if you use, say, the wrong moisturizer with the wrong toner, you could either render your products totally ineffective or worse: hard-core irritate your face.
It sounds dramatic, but if you've ever been 20 minutes deep into the skincare aisle of the drugstore, you know that figuring out the right steps to your skincare routine could be a college-level 101 class on its own. Like, do you really need to use 12 products?! (No, absolutely not.) And then there's the "What goes first?" game: serum or toner? Face oil or moisturizer? And don't even get me started on retinol. Does everyone really need retinol?!
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But don't freak—I spend my life reciting the skincare product steps like the commandments, and now I shall impart my ~holy~ wisdom unto you. Below, I broke down the correct order to apply your skincare products, the steps you can definitely skip, and the best products for your exact skin type. Also, we better be best friends after all this, because wow.
Let's begin.
John Francis
BUT FIRST! Listen up!
You DO NOT NEED an eight-step (or even seven- or six-) skincare routine. Most faces do far better with fewer products, so if you're just starting out, keep it simple: cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen. That's it. Three products. Seriously. Got dry skin? Maybe throw in a face oil or hydrating serum. Dealing with breakouts? Add on a retinoid or an acne toner. Go slow, keep it simple, and you'll be golden. Now for the goodies….
Step 1: Cleanser
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Please, for the love of the beauty gods, remove your makeup and wash your face before slathering on your products. "For ingredients to absorb properly, you need clean skin that's totally free of oil and grime," says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine.
Which means if you want to do things right—and, like, why you here if not tho?—skip the makeup wipes (they leave behind a layer of gunky residue that can break you out and irritate your face) and opt for a cleansing oil, which dissolves all makeup without stripping your skin. Then follow up with a gentle, creamy cleanser (especially if you have acne-prone skin). And don't complain about this being a two-step process—it's one of the only required steps in this entire routine. I'm not even a little sorry. Nope. NOPE!
↠ SHEET MASKS
Not sure where sheet masks come in? Right here. Use masks on clean skin, then pat on the excess serum left behind or lightly rinse your skin with water before moving on to your toner, serum, or moisturizer.
Your step 1 cleansers:
Cleansing Oil
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover
Cleansing Oil
Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil
Face Wash
Eczema Honey Honey and Oatmeal Facial Cleanser
Face Wash
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
Step 2: Toner
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Face toners used to be these terrible, alcohol-based liquids that irritated the hell out of your face and left you stinging. But today's (good) toners are filled with either gentle, hydrating ingredients to coddle dry skin or with chemical exfoliants to treat acne and bumps. "Toners are not meant to be something that sits around on your skin and feels heavy," says Dr. Gohara. "They're essentially just priming your face for ingredients to be better absorbed later on." Reminder: Toner (like most of the steps on this list) is totally optional. And if yours smells like nail polish remover or pure alcohol? Ditch it. Fast.
↠ ESSENCES
Not sure where essences come in? Toners and essences are pretty interchangeable in their consistencies, so if you're looking for when to use your essence in your skincare routine, use it as step 2 (instead of a toner).
Since there are a million different toners on the market, here's how to find the best one for your skin type:
If you've got acne…
Look for a toner filled with either BHA (beta hydroxy acid, like salicylic acid) or AHA (alpha hydroxy acid, like glycolic acid or lactic acid), which work to unclog pores, prevent breakouts, and dissolve blackheads over time. If you've got dry skin, try AHAs, and if you've got oily skin, stick with BHAs.
After cleansing, tap your acid-based toner over clean, dry skin every other night (or if you plan to use a retinol at night, apply your acid-based toner every other morning), then wait a full five minutes—or, at the very least, until it dries—before applying anything else, or you'll accidentally neutralize the acids before the toner works its magic.
If you've got any other skin type…
You can opt for a hydrating toner, which helps replenish the water your skin barrier lost when you washed and dried your face. After cleansing, tap your hydrating toner over your clean, dry skin every morning, every night, or both: "There's no such thing as too much moisture, regardless of your skin type," says Dr. Gohara. Basically, moisture makes your face happy. Make your face happy, k?
Your step 2 toners:
Acne (Oily Skin)
First Aid Beauty Oil-Minimizing Toner With Salicylic Acid
Acne (Oily Skin)
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid
Hydrating
CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Hydrating
Banila Co Dear Hydration Intense Essence
Step 3: Serum
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Ah, serums—the product you probs keep buying, never really using, and getting panicked that you're neglecting out of confusion. But I gotchu. "Serums are essentially just shots of extremely concentrated nutrients, hydrators, and antioxidants that really amp up your skin health as soon as you apply them," says Dr. Gohara. "People often skip out on using them, but they're honestly the heavy lifters of your skincare routine." Basically, think of toners like a sip of beer and serums like a straight shot of tequila.
Although, once again, serums are totally optional, they're often a good first step in leveling up your skincare routine and boosting your skin health.
In the morning…
Dr. Gohara (and every other derm in existence) swears by using vitamin C serum, which protects your skin from the inflammation and damage caused by environmental damage during the day while also brightening skin and lightening dark spots over time. It's really the MVP of skincare ingredients, buuut it's also a little strong. So if your skin is sensitive, use it every other morning instead of every morning.
At night…
Opt for a serum filled with hyaluronic acid, which pulls water from the air into your skin to plump it up and keep it hydrated while you sleep. "If you're using acne treatments or anti-aging products, which can be drying and irritating, you want to prep your skin with as much moisture as possible first," says Shereene Idriss, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in NYC. Basically, a hydrating serum is a 10/10 idea if you're also using retinol.
Your step 3 serums:
A.M.
Buttah Skin Vitamin C Serum
A.M.
Epi.Logic Daily Dose Vitamin C Serum
epilogicskincare.com
$110.00
P.M.
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
P.M.
Rose Ingleton MD Calming Hydration Booster Serum
Step 4: Eye Cream
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Eye creams tend to be lighter and thinner than face moisturizers, so make sure to apply them before you slather on your creams and oils. "The rule of thumb when applying skincare is to apply the lightest first and the heaviest last, since thinner products can't penetrate thicker products," says Dr. Idriss. Yeah, it's annoying how much this all makes sense now, isn't it?
Still, even though eye creams seem like the be-all and end-all of skincare (and anti-aging), they're honestly not necessary for most people. "As long as you're using moisturizer and sunscreen, your eye area is already getting the TLC it needs," says Dr. Gohara. But if you wanna try one out, here's how to choose:
In the morning…
Look for an eye cream that has a rollerball applicator ("the cold steel ball helps a bit with fluid retention—aka under-eye bags—especially if you keep the cream in the fridge between uses," says Dr. Gohara) and/or a formula filled with caffeine, which helps temporarily constrict and tighten puffy under-eyes within 20 minutes.
At night…
"Most people think their night eye cream has to contain some sort of retinol to help with fine lines, but in reality, your eye area is delicate and at risk for rashes and irritation, so you want to be gentle," says Dr. Gohara. "Instead, tap on a simple, hydrating eye cream that'll protect your under-eyes and repair your skin barrier overnight."
Yes, you can—and should!—use a retinol around your eyes, but "it's better to apply retinoids to your whole face rather than to just spot-treat parts of it," she says. (Don't worry, retinol options will come later on.)
Your step 4 eye cream:
A.M.
Olay Eyes Depuffing Eye Roller
A.M.
BeautyStat Universal C Eye Perfector
P.M.
RoC Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Eye Cream
P.M.
Burt's Bees Truly Glowing Gel Eye Cream
Step 5: Spot Treatment
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Ideally, you'd apply your spot treatments (whether they're for zits, scars, or dark spots) at night because that's when your body is working hardest to repair itself. But if you've already used an acne-fighting toner and/or you're planning to layer on a retinol, try spot-treating in the morning instead so you don't irritate your skin with too much at once.
Regardless of when you apply it, make sure to tap your spot treatment on before your moisturizer so it can really penetrate your skin and do its thang without having another barrier to penetrate (before?! What?! Yes, just trust the process and keep reading).
For dark spots and acne scars…
Dr. Idriss recommends using a spot treatment with either hydroquinone (a skin-bleaching ingredient that works fast but can be irritating on anyone with even slightly sensitive skin ) or niacinamide (aka vitamin B3), which gently brightens marks and scars over time. Niacinamide can be used daily—most formulas won't cause irritation—but hydroquinone should be used every three days until you know how your skin responds to it. No irritation after a week? Move it up to every other day.
For pimples and breakouts…
Dr. Gohara stands by tried-and-true benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid—but not together, unless you want to irritate your skin. Benzoyl peroxide kills acne-causing bacteria (use it for classic whiteheads), while salicylic acid dissolves oil and skin cells (use it for little clogged pores and inflamed bumps).
Regardless of which you choose, the application is the same: Dab a thin layer (seriously—more isn't merrier here) over your spot or zit, then wait at least a full minute for it to dry. Then, to prevent the treatment from getting wiped around your face, apply your moisturizer around the spots first. When your face is covered, tap a layer of moisturizer directly over the spot treatment to seal it in without sliding it around.
Your step 5 spot treatments:
Dark Spots (Niacinamide)
Topicals Faded Serum for Dark Spots and Discoloration
Dark Spots (Hydroquinone)
Urban Skin Rx Even Tone Night Treatment
Pimples (Benzoyl Peroxide)
Neutrogena Stubborn Acne A.M. Treatment
Pimples (Salicylic Acid)
Peter Thomas Roth AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel
Step 6: Moisturizer
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You need to be using a moisturizer. Always. Twice a day. No matter what. I don't care if your skin is hella oily or easily broken out or sad or scared (there's a formula for you, promise!), because it's the only thing that'll keep your skin barrier—aka the very temperamental thing responsible for making your face look good—healthy and happy. Plus, "a moisturizer not only infuses your skin with hydration but also helps trap in all the products underneath it to make the ingredients even more effective," says Dr. Idriss.
In the morning…
Look for a light, gentle hyaluronic-based moisturizer for the morning, which will keep skin hydrated without feeling heavy or greasy. And ideally, get a formula with a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 in it, especially if you're not planning to slather on a separate sunscreen later. Whichever you choose, let it sink in for at least a full five minutes before applying makeup (if, you know, this is the end of your skincare routine and makeup is your next step).
At night…
"Your skin goes into repair mode at night, working extra hard to fix damage and boost regeneration," says Dr. Gohara. "So your night moisturizer should be filled with all the things your body naturally produces and can use more of, like hyaluronic acid, lipids, and proteins." You can also tiptoe into the retinol game by using an anti-aging night cream, which has a "watered-down" dose of retinoids that tends to be gentler, especially on sensitive skin.
Your step 6 moisturizers:
A.M. (Dry to "Normal" Skin)
Indeed Labs In-Ceramide Daily Moisture Cream
A.M. ("Normal" to Oily Skin)
Mele Dew the Most Sheer Moisturizer SPF 30
P.M. (Dry to "Normal" Skin)
Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream
P.M. ("Normal" to Oily Skin)
Andalou Naturals Resveratrol Q10 Night Repair Cream
Step 7: Retinol
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"Retinoids—the general term for all vitamin A derivatives, including retinol—sink into your skin to speed up cell turnover, causing your body to churn out fresher, smoother, less wrinkled skin over time," says Dr. Gohara. Good things take time, though, so remember that retinoids take four to six months of consistent use to give you results.
But just because it might take half a year to see your wrinkles smooth out doesn't mean you won't see more immediate results in other ways. "Retinoids trigger collagen production and cellular exfoliation, which means they'll also fade dark spots, smooth scars, clear pores, prevent breakouts, and brighten skin," she says. Basically, retinoids are the closest thing to magic that dermatologists have.
How to use them…
If you're new to retinoids, make sure to start slow to mitigate the initial adjustment period of flakes and sensitivity. "Apply a pea-size drop to your entire face one night a week for one week, then two nights a week for two weeks, then three nights a week for three weeks, and then every other night indefinitely," says Dr. Gohara.
Skip this step if…
You're already using (or planning to use) a night cream with retinoids, since doubling up won't make the anti-aging results more effective—it'll just cause inflammation. And if you do have extra-sensitive skin, apply a layer of moisturizer both 10 minutes before and after applying your retinol to reduce irritation without totally diluting the treatment. Basically, sandwich your face in moisture.
Your step 7 retinoids:
For Sensitive Skin
BareMinerals Ageless 10 PhytoRetinol Night Concentrate
For Dry Skin
No7 Pure Retinol Night Repair Cream
For "Normal" Skin
Shani Darden Retinol Reform
For Acne-Prone Skin
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%
Step 8: Oil
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"Face oils are occlusive, meaning they seal in all the ingredients and moisture you just applied to your face to keep them from evaporating as quickly," says Dr. Idriss. On their own, oils actually don't moisturize your skin that well, but when you layer them over products, they help increase your routine's efficacy while also leaving skin soft and smooth. Just make sure to always, always apply your oils last. Yes, you read that correctly.
"Oils can easily penetrate moisturizers, serums, and treatments, but no products can penetrate an oil, which means they need to be applied last," says Dr. Gohara. And don't think that oils are just for dry skin—certain oils, like rose-hip and jojoba, can decrease excess oil in acne-prone skin, while marula and aloe oils can soothe sensitive, easily irritated skin.
Your step 8 face oils:
Good Molecules Pure Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil
Beauty Bakerie Wake & Bake Face Oil
Kreyòl Essence Haitian Moringa Oil
African Botanics Pure Marula Oil
Step 9: Sunscreen
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Okay, yes, I know I said oils go last, but technically, sunscreen is the absolute last step. Why? "Oils are still working to penetrate and treat your skin, which is why they would go last in your skincare routine, but sunscreen isn't trying to penetrate anything—it's just there to protect your face and act as armor against the outside world," says Dr. Gohara. "Basically, it's not adding anything to your skin—it's protecting your skin."
But before you tell yourself that the SPF 15 in your foundation or moisturizer is good enough, know this: "The absolute bare minimum SPF you need on your face is SPF 30," says Dr. Gohara. Unless, you know, you're cool with premature aging, worsened acne scars, and an increased cancer risk.
Your step 9 sunscreens:
Totally Clear Formula
EleVen Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35
Unscented Formula
MyChelle Dermaceuticals Sun Shield SPF 28
Oil-Free Formula
Tula Mineral Magic Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Moisturizing Formula
Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Step 10: Celebrate
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Because you finally learned virtually everything (ish) in the world about skincare. You may now refer to yourself as a mini dermatologist (but, like, maybe not in front of any actual doctors, k?). Now, please, go deck out your face and bask in the glory of knowledge.
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Chloe Metzger Deputy Beauty Director Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, obsessively writing about new makeup launches, the best hair products (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare formulas that really work for every skin type (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics of that magazine life).
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Black Caviar 12 in 1 Hair Cream How to Use
Source: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a25372431/what-order-to-apply-skincare-products/