Taking the time to take care of your skin will really pay off as your get older. Great skin equates to youthfulness and beauty. As with many things, it is always best to prevent a problem before you have to fix it. For example, it is much easier to try to prevent dark spots on your skin than it is to try to get rid of the ones that you already have. So if you are taking the time to take care of your skin, you will find yourself with at least a handful of skin care products. A question that I frequently get from patients is how and when should they apply their skin care products?

One great tip that I learned is that you should apply your skincare products from “thinnest to thickest.” When you incorporate a new product, and have no idea in what order you should apply it, use that tip! Examine the consistency of the product in order to determine where to incorporate it into your anti-aging regime. Other than that, here are some general tips for the products that you will most likely find (and should have!) in your skin care routine.

Vivité Daily Facial Serum. This is usually the lightest or “thinnest” product that you will have. The daily serum “provides antioxidant protection to help fight premature aging”. It also includes gylcolics which helps to hydrate as well and renovate your skin. You should apply this product once a day in the morning.

Retinols. A retinol cream helps to treat acne, unclog pores, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and even outs your skin and discoloration. If you still haven’t seen your doctor for a prescription, schedule your consultation today! Retinols have been proven over decades of research to really work and improve the quality of your skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Remember that you should apply your retinol cream at night, since retinols are sensitive to light, and the sun can deactivate its effects.

Moisturizer. The Vivité Replenish Hydrating cream works extremely well together with a retinol prescription. When you first start a retinol, it might cause dryness and flakiness initially so you want to make sure your skin is well moisturized. You can apply the moisturizer as often as needed in order to keep your skin hydrated. According to Allure Magazine, research shows that hydrated skin also heals faster from acne!

Sunscreen. Make sure you always apply sunscreen in order to protect your skin from the damage that the sun causes. It is probably one of the most important products that you need to use in order for you to prevent wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and of course skin cancer (amongst many other things). Usually sunscreen has a thicker consistency, so it goes on last after all of your other products.

How do you apply your skin care products? Do you use these few basics, or do you have a while anti-aging skin care regime? Share your thoughts below!