Achieving radiant, healthy skin isn't just about the products you use; it's about how you use them.

For Singaporeans, where humidity and urban lifestyle can take a toll on your skin, understanding the correct order of layering your skincare is especially important to take care of your skin and prevent premature aging.

Unlike what social media has popularised over the years, you don't need a fancy 10-step skincare routine to unlock that dewy, radiant skin.

In this article, we'll demystify the art of layering, helping you maximise the benefits of each product, from cleansers to serums, ensuring your skin stays flawless and glowing!

Basic Step-by-Step Skincare Routine

Step 1 Cleanser

General rule: Wash twice per day, morning and night

The foundation of any effective skincare routine is a good cleanser! Start with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and impurities that accumulate on your skin's surface throughout the day.

Opt for a cleanser that suits your skin type:

• gel or foam for oily skin,

• cream or milk for dry skin,

• gentle, creamy face wash for sensitive skin

• cleanser with added acne-fighting ingredients, like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide for acne-prone skin

The goal here is to create a clean canvas for the following products to penetrate deeply.

At MEROSKIN, we recommend our light and airy BABOR Deep Cleansing Foam - featuring glycerin, provitamin B5, and ginseng extract. Perfect for all skin types, including sensitive and dry skin!

Step 2 Toner

 

Once your skin is clean, it's time to balance it with a toner.

Toners help to restore your skin's pH levels, remove any residual impurities your cleanser might have missed and prepare it for better absorption of subsequent products.

Choose a toner that suits your skin type! If you have dry or sensitive skin, look for hydrating toners with hyaluronic acid or rose water to help replenish the water your skin barrier lost.

For those with oily or acne-prone skin types, you may want toners with astringent ingredients to remove excess oil such as salicylic acid (BHA) or witch hazel.

Still not sure which to pick? In that case, look for an all-rounder toner like our BABOR's Soothing Rose Toner, infused with natural botanicals to give your skin that extra boost.

Pro tip: Swap your daily toner for an exfoliating toner once or twice a week to help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores.

Step 3 Serums

 

Often considered the heart of the modern skincare routine, the serum is the powerhouse when targeting specific skin concerns, such as wrinkles, dull skin, dark spots, skin texture or dehydration.

So, think carefully about the effect you want to achieve when choosing your morning and night serums.

For instance, adding serums with antioxidant properties like vitamin C, vitamin E, or niacinamide in your morning routine can help brighten skin, fade hyperpigmentation, and prevent UV damage. Remember: do not mix your vitamin C with niacinamide as it will reduce the serum's efficacy!

If you have oily, acne-prone skin, look for active ingredients that reduce clogged pores and treat acne such as AHAs and BHAs, as well as balancing and mattifying ingredients like tea tree oil. Stressed and sensitive skin can benefit from soothing ingredients like aloe vera and panthenol.

On the other hand, your evening serums should contain fewer active ingredients to avoid irritating your skin. Instead, look for a hydrating and moisturising serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, glycerin or ceramides which replenish your skin barrier as you sleep.

Check out our BABOR's diverse range of Ampoule Concentrates - our little miracle serums dedicated to addressing every skin concern!

Pro-tip: If you use multiple serums, layer them from the thinnest to the thickest consistency. For example, start with a hydrating serum, followed by a Vitamin C serum, and finish with a peptide serum.

Step 4 Eye Cream

 

Some areas require special care such as the delicate skin around your eyes, which is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your face, making it the first area to show signs of stress, lack of sleep, and ageing, including dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Applying eye creams regularly not only maintains the health, thickness and elasticity of this delicate area but also adds moisture and hydration to your undereye!

Here are the ingredients that you should look for in your eye creams:

• Morning: caffeine, vitamin C, or hydrating peptides

• Night: retinol, niacinamide, or hyaluronic acid (be careful when choosing retinol products as it may be too irritating for sensitive skin)

Prefer using only one eye cream for both day and night? No worries, our BABOR HSR Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream will visibly awaken your eyes, giving them a more youthful appearance!

Step 5 Moisturiser

 

Moisturiser is the key to achieving that coveted, dewy complexion as it locks in all the previous layers of hydration and treatment.

A good (and right) moisturiser acts as a sealant, keeping your skin hydrated, supple and soft while protecting the skin barrier against pollutants and environmental stressors.

That's why your choice of moisturiser should cater to your skin type:

• Oily skin: A lightweight, oil-free gel or lotion that is non-comedogenic and contains ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to help control excess oil

• Dry skin: Rich, creamy formulations with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides that draw moisture into the skin and help repair skin barrier

• Acne-prone skin: Similar to oily skin, but include ingredients that have anti-inflammatory, soothing, and acne-fighting properties

• Sensitive skin: Fragrance-free products with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, and oat extract. Particularly those with hypoallergenic formulas are the best to avoid irritation

Step 6 Sun Protection (Morning only)

 

The final step of your morning skincare routine should always be sunscreen.

Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is crucial in preventing premature ageing, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer.

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 (or higher) in the morning, even on cloudy days or indoors to shield your skin from harmful UV rays!

Achieve that Flawless, Radiant Complexion With MEROSKIN Today!

Discover the power of perfectly layered skincare with our carefully curated BABOR products, formulated with cutting-edge ingredients and tailored to suit diverse skin types!

From our gentle cleansers and potent serums to effective facial treatments, MEROSKIN is dedicated to delivering the best results and experience for all our clients.

Plus, you get to enjoy a personalised skincare consultation with our experts!

Shop now and embark on a journey to healthy skin.