Layering Basics: How to Layer on your Skincare Routine with MD GLAM

Place your products in the right order for maximum effect throughout the day.

When it comes to your skincare routine, the order you approach things matters. It might seem like a nit-picky approach to self-care, but in actuality, it can help you get the most out of the products you’re using. Applying items in the wrong order or skipping steps can prevent active ingredients from penetrating the skin properly or reduce the effectiveness of other products in your skincare regimen. 

To simplify this, the MD Glam team has put together this five-step guide on layering basics. Keep in mind that you can follow this routine day or night (skipping the sunscreen while you sleep). A great rule of thumb is to clean before application and apply the lightest weight to the heaviest weight products in order. 

A Layered and Luxury Skincare Routine to Follow

#1. Cleanse

It all starts with a clean face. You’ll want to remove any of the makeup, dead skin cells, and excess sebum left on your face. This gives the rest of your skincare routine a clean surface, and you won’t be trapping any dirt or grime under your products. 

Cleansing can also help make sure that the rest of your products are effective from the start. With too much excess sebum, for example, your moisturizers and serums might have trouble penetrating the skin for the most effective application. 

Be sure to choose a cleanser that is gentle on the skin and helps replenish vitamins and minerals while clearing out your pores. MD Glam’s Deep Pore Foaming Cleanser is ideal for this since it contains Vitamins A, B, C, and E along with Dead Sea minerals for a rejuvenating experience. 

#2. Exfoliate

If cleansing is Step 1, exfoliating should be considered Step 1B. It might seem like overkill to cleanse after cleansing, but exfoliating is an important step not to be overlooked. This is where you can help remove stubborn pore-clogging dirt and sebum while also removing dead skin cells that make your skin look dull.

Why exfoliate after cleansing? Cleansing removes most of the dirt and makeup on the surface of the skin, giving your exfoliator a chance to dig deep and tackle any stubborn sebum left over. If you exfoliate before cleansing, it will simply be much less effective. 

The best exfoliators are gentle on the skin while going deep into your pores. Look for extra fine exfoliating particles, like those in MD Glam’s Exfoliating Enzyme Scrub, for a spa-like experience that leaves skin feeling freshly polished, not scratched or tired. Our surgeon-formulated blend is designed to brighten skin while perfecting your pores. 

#3. Serum 

With your skin fresh and free of excess oils or dirt, now is the time to pack a punch with serums designed to combat your biggest skincare concerns. Most serums are designed to target issues such as puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles, and they’ll work most effectively if they are the first layer you add to cleaned skin. 

It’s important to make sure you understand the ingredients and purpose of every serum you try. There’s no one size fits all solution for your entire face. However, you can target problem areas with precision. Using these after exfoliating will help ensure maximum absorption into the skin where you need it most.

One of the areas that trouble women most is the eyes, and MD Glam’s response to this is our Retinol-C Intense Eye Serum. Paired with Vitamins C and E, our formula goes to work to combat puffiness, lines, and wrinkles around and under the eyes. 

#4. Moisturize

After making sure to give your skin time to soak in the serum you’ve applied, you’re finally ready to moisturize. Even if you think you have oily skin, it’s important to moisturize to help your skin lock in important minerals and vitamins to rejuvenate it throughout the day or night.  

Speaking of time of day, it’s also important to choose the right moisturizer for the time you’re applying it. Daytime moisturizers, like MD Glam’s DMAE Antioxidant Day Moisturizer, will be formulated with more lightweight ingredients for a less greasy and noticeable feel. The right moisturizer can be the best first step before makeup application. 

When it comes to nighttime, look for a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid, known to quench dry skin and help replenish moisture after a long day. MD Glam’s Hyaluronic Acid Night C Complex not only combats dryness but also signs of aging with vitamins that also promote collagen while also brightening and healing the skin. 

#5. Sunscreen

The last step before makeup application should always be sunscreen. Most people skip this step if they aren’t headed to the beach, but the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays can penetrate the skin even during short walks to the office or through car windows. You’ll want to protect your skin from these rays since they not only contribute to signs of aging but also serious skin conditions including cancers. (Read more about 7 Sunscreen Facts Everyone Should Know)

Thankfully, not all sunscreens are heavy and leave a white cast when you apply them. Look for a formula that protects against both types of rays – UVA and UVB – while being non-comedogenic, or unlikely to clog your pores. And make sure you use something that is SPF 30 or higher. 

MD Glam’s Sunshout SunsCreen SPF 50 covers all of the important bases when it comes to sunscreen application. Our formulation is weightless and a great base to wear under makeup. Not only does it protect from UVA and UVB rays, it also contains a blend of antioxidants that can help protect against signs of aging. 

Explore MD Glam to Upgrade Your Skincare Routine

With the right approach, you can improve your skincare routine and get the most out of the products that you use. It also helps to keep in mind the types of products you’re purchasing and make sure that they’re designed to work together for maximum effect. 

The lineup was created with just that in mind. Dr. Cat has perfected the approach to curated skincare with the MD Glam Collection, designed with skin health products that combat the signs of aging for a flawless finish. Our cleaners are formulated to give your skin a clean slate for serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen that don’t skimp on vitamins, minerals, or efficacy.