Made to order

Beauty
Maggie Gibbons

Is there a right order to applying face products? Moisturiser or serum first? Do I need both? Should I use a toner? When do I apply Retinol?
Believe it or not, the order in which you put on your skincare is nearly as important as the actual products you use. It can have a huge effect on the efficiency of the products. This alone in the long term will save your hard earned cash.

You must always cleanse, tone and moisturise, so start out with that simple routine. As time goes on you might begin to include serums, facial oils and eye creams. Most of us don’t need more than a few products.
When figuring what goes on when, think of the good rule of thumb: When it comes to applying different creams and oils, always apply the thinnest products first.

Morning routine
Toner
After cleansing use a toners. Today these products are gentle, unlike the very astringent ones of years ago. A lovely one is Aveeno Calm Restore Soothing Toning Lotion (around €7), which suits the most sensitive skin.

Serum
Next comes serum – little powerhouses, I like to refer to serums as moisturisers on speed.  They penetrate deeper than regular moisturiser, and that’s why they goes on first.
Skin serums consist of concentrated nutrients and hydrating ingredients. They can be applied in the morning or evening, and you only need apply a tiny amount of product to benefit.

The L’Oreal RevitaLift pure Vitamin C serum gives a good dose of hydration, improving  the complexion and skin texture. I’ve even heard it described as a night’s sleep in a bottle! The 30ml serum normally  €29.99, though I’m seeing it online and in chemists for around half price at €17.75.
A great value alternative is The Ordinary Hyaluranic Acid with B5 (60ml for €15.80) – best used on slightly damp skin.

Eye cream
The skin around the eyes is extremely sensitive so creams applied to this area should be tapped in gently. Unfortunately ladies, once the lines have appeared we’ll have them forever, but we can keep this area moisturised with a nice eye cream. The jury remains out on whether this is a necessary product or not. The Inkey list Caffeine eye cream is a good one, and the price is also great (€11.99).

Moisturise
Because skin gets thinner and drier as we age, moisturising is an essential step in skincare. It will lock in your serum and help to retain some of the moisture.
In the morning, stick to a lightweight moisturizer that the skin will absorb without making it feel greasy. A gentle hyaluronic acid-based, moisturiser like CeraVe will deliver long-lasting hydration. This wallet-friendly range was developed by a dermatologist and is recommended for dry skin.

Sunscreen
Even though most moisturisers today contain a level of sunscreen, it’s recommended that you apply product that contains at least 30 percent on your face. This may mean adding more at the end of your routine.

Evening routine
Your end of day routine is mostly the same as the morning, with the exception of the sunscreen. Cleanse well to remove all traces of makeup.

Retinol
This has become the holy grail of skincare in recent years. Retinols are essential in the treatment of lines and wrinkles, and in softening dark spots and blemishes. Once, it had to be prescribed by a doctor, nowadays lower doses means you can buy it over the counter and get the benefit without having to endure reddening of the skin caused by retinol burn. It’s well known  for the production of collagen and a faster cell turnover.
Only use retinols at night, though, as sun exposure can actually decrease the efficiency of the product. Penneys have some really good products for around €5.99. Check the product type to decide where to introduce it – remember, lighter serums first, heavier products later.

Facial oil
Facial oil is used to nourish the skin and can be used in place of or after your moisturiser as the last step in your night time skincare routine. They can also be mixed into your regular moisturiser.
I’ve been using InnerZen Organics Overnight Elixir for ages now and love it. It’s full of wonderful ingredients like fig seed oil, vitamin E and neroli oil (€32.50 online at innerzenorganics.ie).

Skincare products will never work miracles, no matter what the packaging promises. There isn’t a product on this earth that will remove a wrinkle once it’s firmly ensconced.
As the fella says, ‘If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is’.
Use what you love, it’s all about feeling good. Certainly there are products that diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and I’ll be happily purchasing those for the foreseeable future.

Maggie Gibbons is an Image/Style Consultant based in Louisburgh. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.