The Secret to Layering Skincare

Well, hello there, and thank you for entrusting us with your natural organic skin care needs. In this blog post, our goal is to share the secret to layering skin care products that will help you achieve a healthy, glowing complexion; the KOKOBÉRNA Way. 

WHY SHOULD I LAYER MY SKIN CARE PRODUCTS?

Layering your skin care products is essential for a few reasons. First and foremost, it allows you to target specific skin concerns and provide the skin’s neuron-sensory microbiome with the necessary nutrients and hydration it needs to thrive. When you layer different products, each one can work together to provide a multitude of benefits, such as hydrating, firming, brightening, and protecting the skin.

Secondly, layering skin care products can help maximize their effectiveness. By using a combination of products that have different textures and consistencies, you can ensure that each product is absorbed by the skin and not just sitting on the surface. This can help improve the efficacy of each product and ensure that you are getting the most out of your skin care routine.

Lastly, layering skin care products can help create a barrier of protection on the skin. By applying a variety of products, you can help strengthen the skin's natural barrier, increase moisture retention, and protect it from external aggressors such as pollution, UV rays, and harsh weather conditions.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LAYER SKINCARE PRODUCTS?

Generally speaking, and for all skin types, the best way to layer your KOKOBÉRNA skin care products for optimal results, is as follows:

• First, begin with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, oil, and makeup from your skin. Use lukewarm water to rinse your face thoroughly and pat it dry with a clean towel.
• Next, apply your acid toner, which should contain alpha and/or beta hydroxy acids to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and help unclog pores without causing microscopic tears in the skin’s surface. Moisten a cotton pad with water, squeeze out the excess water, and saturate pad with toner. Apply the toner to your face (be careful around the eye area), neck, and entire chest area (décolleté). Allow to dry and absorb for a few seconds prior to applying your high-quality serums and oils.
• Next up is your face serum, which should contain active ingredients that target your specific skin concerns. Apply a small amount of serum to your face (include your delicate eye area), neck, and entire chest area (décolleté) gently pressing the serum into your skin with your fingertips. Give it a few seconds to absorb. Our philosophy of less is more does not require using multiple serums. Our thoughtfully formulated HEALER’S GOLD™ Serum is a triple-acting antioxidant serum to plump, brighten pigmentation marks from aging and sun damage, as well as refine the skin’s texture.
• Afterward, apply your face oil or moisturizer, which will help to lock in moisture and provide nourishment to the skin. Apply a few drops of oil to your fingertips and gently press it into your skin, focusing on any areas that are particularly dry or prone to wrinkles, including neck and chest areas.
• Finish your routine with our active botanical peptide-infused facial mist, which will help to fully lock-in moisture, offers anti-aging benefits, leave a healthy glow, as well as set your makeup if you're wearing any. Hold the mist about 8-10 inches from your face and spritz it all over face and neck, keeping your eyes closed.

Remember to give each product a few seconds to absorb into the skin before moving on to the next step. Layering your products in this order will help to ensure that each one can penetrate the skin and provide the benefits it was designed to offer. Pausing in between layering your skin care products allows for a grounding experience that elevates the day.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE LAYERING SKIN CARE PRODUCTS IN THE MORNING VERSUS NIGHTTIME?

That's a great question! The order and types of products you use can differ between your morning and nighttime skin care routines, as your skin has different needs at different times of the day.

AM Skin Care Routine

The KOKOBÉRNA Way

• Cleanser: Start with a gentle cleanser to remove any oil, dirt, excess sebum, and sweat that has accumulated on your skin overnight. Use lukewarm water to rinse your face thoroughly and leave skin slightly damp.
• Mist (optional step): Follow up with a mist to hydrate, rebalance your skin's pH, and prepare your skin to lock-in moisture and prevent water loss.
• Serum: Apply a serum with antioxidants, such as Vitamin C or E, to protect your skin from harmful environmental factors like UV rays and pollution. Don’t forget to apply the serum to hydrate, brighten, and protect the delicate skin around your eye area.
• Mist (optional step): Mist again to continue training the skin to fully absorb and lock-in moisture.
• Moisturizer: Apply a lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizer, such as our face oil, to hydrate your skin and create a protective barrier against environmental aggressors.
• Sunscreen: Finish your morning routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays.

Finish your routine with our active botanical peptide-infused facial mist, which will help to fully lock-in moisture, offers anti-aging benefits, leave a healthy glow, as well as set your makeup if you're wearing any. Hold the mist about 8-10 inches from your face and spritz it all over face and neck, keeping your eyes closed.

PM Skin Care Routine

The KOKOBÉRNA Way

• Eye Makeup Remover: Remove stubborn, waterproof eye makeup first.
• Cleanser: Cleanse twice to thoroughly remove all makeup, oil, dirt, grime, and sweat that has accumulated on your skin throughout the day. Use lukewarm water to rinse your face thoroughly and pat it dry with a clean towel.
• Exfoliant/Retinol: Use an exfoliating acid toner with active ingredients such as alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, retinol prescription, or enzyme-based skin polish to gently remove dead skin cells, promote cell turnover, and target specific skin concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
• Mist: Follow up with a mist to soothe, rebalance your skin's pH, and prepare your skin to lock-in moisture and prevent water loss.
• Face Oil: Apply a nourishing facial oil to deeply hydrate your skin, lock in moisture, and promote skin repair and rejuvenation. Don’t forget to include your neck and the delicate skin around your eyes.
• Finish your routine with our active botanical peptide-infused facial mist, which will help to fully lock-in moisture, offers anti-aging benefits, and leave a healthy glow. Hold the mist about 8-10 inches from your face and spritz it all over face and neck, keeping your eyes closed.

 As you can see, the main differences between morning and nighttime routines are the types of products used, with morning routines focusing on protection and hydration, and nighttime routines focusing on repair and rejuvenation. By using different products and following a specific order for each routine, you can maximize the efficacy of your skin care products and achieve healthy, glowing skin.

I HAVE A REALLY HARD TIME CONTROLLING MY ACNE-PRONE SKIN. WHAT IS THE BEST MORNING AND NIGHTTIME ROUTINE TO LAYER MY SKIN CARE PRODUCTS AND REPAIR MY SKIN BARRIER?

We are sorry to hear that you are having a challenging time managing your acne-prone skin. A core philosophy of KOKOBÉRNA skin care products is skin repair. We’ve found a minimalist skin care routine with a focus on gentle, non-irritating products is often best for acne-prone skin. Here is a recommended morning and nighttime routine that can help repair your skin for the long-term.

AM Skin Care Routine

For Acne-Prone Sensitive Skin

• Cleanser: Start with a gentle cleansing oil to remove any excess sebum and sweat that has accumulated on your skin overnight. Look for a cleanser that is non-foaming, doesn't contain harsh ingredients like sulfates or fragrances, and instead invest in one that contains calming and anti-inflammatory botanical ingredients.
• Mist (optional step): Follow up with a mist to hydrate, rebalance your skin's pH, and prepare your skin to lock-in moisture and prevent water loss.
• Lightweight Moisturizer: Apply our scientifically advanced therapeutic face oil to regenerate the skin's barrier, replenish necessary lipids, reduce the effects of UV damage like scars and hyperpigmentation, and lock in moisture for optimal skin health.
• Sunscreen: Finish your morning routine with a broad-spectrum mineral-based sunscreen that is non-comedogenic. Sunscreen is important to protect the skin from further damage and inflammation. However, if your skin burns, itches, or turns red in response to sunscreen, we recommend sunscreens that do not contain the following ingredients as these tend to exacerbate acne flare-ups and breakouts: avobenzone, benzophenone, and octyl methoxycinnamate, just to name a few.

With consistent use of our exquisitely formulated skin repair products, the need to cover skin with makeup becomes less. 

PM Skin Care Routine

For Acne-Prone Skin

• Cleanser: Cleanse twice to thoroughly remove all makeup, oil, dirt, grime, and sweat that has accumulated on your skin throughout the day. Use lukewarm water to rinse your face thoroughly and leave skin slightly damp. Again, look for a cleanser that is non-foaming, doesn't contain harsh ingredients like sulfates or fragrances, and instead contains calming and anti-inflammatory botanical ingredients such as those found in our DIVINE ORIGIN™ Balm.
• Mist (optional step): Follow up with a mist to hydrate, rebalance your skin's pH, and prepare your skin to lock-in moisture and prevent water loss.
• Lightweight Moisturizer: Apply our scientifically advanced therapeutic face oil to regenerate the skin's barrier, replenish necessary lipids, reduce the effects of UV damage like scars and hyperpigmentation, and lock in moisture for optimal skin health.
• Finish your routine with our active botanical peptide-infused facial mist, which will help to fully lock-in moisture, offers anti-aging benefits, and leave a healthy glow. Hold the mist about 8-10 inches from your face and spritz it all over face and neck, keeping your eyes closed.

Weekly Skin Care Routine

For Acne-Prone Skin

• Cleanser: Start with a gentle cleansing oil to remove any excess sebum and sweat that has accumulated on your skin. Look for a cleanser that is non-foaming, doesn't contain harsh ingredients like sulfates or fragrances, and instead invest in one that contains calming and anti-inflammatory botanical ingredients.
• Exfoliating Treatment: Apply an exfoliating rinse-off treatment that contains salicylic acid to help reduce inflammation and redness. Apply a thin layer of the paste to face, neck, and décolleté, allow to sit for 10-15 minutes, wet fingers and exfoliate with fingertips. Thoroughly rinse off and leave skin slightly damp.
• Mist (optional step): Follow up with a mist to hydrate, rebalance your skin's pH, and prepare your skin to lock-in moisture and prevent water loss.
• Lightweight Moisturizer: Apply our scientifically advanced therapeutic face oil to regenerate the skin's barrier, replenish necessary lipids, reduce the effects of UV damage like scars and hyperpigmentation, and lock in moisture for optimal skin health.
• Finish your routine with our active botanical peptide-infused facial mist, which will help to fully lock-in moisture, offers anti-aging benefits, and leave a healthy glow. Hold the mist about 8-10 inches from your face and spritz it all over face and neck, keeping your eyes closed.

It is important to note that when treating acne-prone skin, less is often more. Overloading the skin with too many products or using harsh ingredients can make acne worse by stripping the skin of its natural oils and causing irritation. By keeping the routine simple, gentle, and consistent, you can help your skin repair and maintain healthy, beautiful looking skin for a lifetime. 

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO LAYERING SKIN CARE PRODUCTS TO ADDRESS MOST SKIN CONCERNS?

To summarize, the secret to layering skin care products to address most skin concerns is to follow a consistent routine, use products that are suited for your skin type, and layer them in the correct order. Again, here are the general steps to follow:

• Start with a clean slate: Begin by cleansing your skin to remove any dirt, oil, sticky sebum, or makeup.
• Apply a toner: A toner can help balance the skin's pH levels and prep the skin for the rest of your routine.
• Use active ingredients: This step can vary depending on your skin concerns. Active ingredients like Vitamin C, retinoids, or acids can help target specific issues such as hyperpigmentation and fine lines. For acne, soothing botanicals can help calm inflammation and repair skin barrier. A cautionary word for those with acne-prone skin is to stay away from acid toners until your skin barrier is stable – usually after six months of consistent use of a minimalist skin care routine.
• Apply a serum: Serums are lightweight and penetrate the skin deeply to deliver bioactive ingredients that help to slow down the signs of aging for wrinkle-prone skin.
• Hydrate with a moisturizer: Apply a moisturizer to provide hydration and seal in the active ingredients.
• Apply sunscreen: Protect your skin from harmful UV rays with a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen.

When layering products, it's important to use products that are suited for your skin type and to avoid overloading the skin with too many products at once. Following a consistent routine and giving each product time to absorb before applying the next is key to achieving optimal results. Additionally, listening to your skin and adjusting your routine as necessary can help address any concerns that arise.

NOT SURE ON NEXT STEPS?

We recommend scheduling a virtual consultation with a KOKOBÉRNA Skin Expert to assess your skin's progress and make any necessary adjustments to your skin care routine. The frequency of follow-up appointments can vary depending on your individual needs and recommend a follow-up appointment after your first 4-6 weeks is a good starting point.

During the follow-up appointment, a Skin Expert can assess the effectiveness of your current routine and make any necessary adjustments. This may involve changing the products you're using, adjusting the order in which you use them, or modifying the frequency of use. By doing so, we can help ensure that your skin is continuing to improve and that your routine is optimized for your specific needs.

Additionally, skin concerns can change over time and with the change of seasons, so it's important to periodically reassess your routine to ensure that it's still effective. Scheduling regular follow-up appointments can help you stay on track with your skin care goals and ensure that you're getting the most out of your routine.

Suffice it to say, scheduling a virtual skin care consult is a great way to receive personalized guidance and support, stay accountable to your skin care routine, and ensure that your skin is healthy and always looking its best.

May you be #kokobernabeautiful.

====== 

We hope our articles are a delight to read. If you enjoyed this, please share it with friends via the social links. We publish once a month, sometimes more. For more KOKOBÉRNA: head to kokoberna.shop (we ship worldwide and earn reward dollars every time you shop), follow us on Instagram and Facebook, or view the journal archives. If you’d like to see a topic covered or have a burning question that needs an answer, please leave a comment below.