6 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Skincare Products

Skincare can be a major investment, so getting the most out of your skincare products is a must. Spending beacoup bucks on our skincare routines means we want maximum results and that dewy, natural #NoMakeup glow that products promise. But products aren't a magic wand that you wave over your skin and voila; you have to use them correctly, in the right order, etc. to get the most out of your routine. Today, we're sharing five tips to help you get the most out of your skincare products. These simple shifts can make a major difference in the way your products perform so you get your most beautiful, complexion ever.

Just keep misting

Dory said it best - "Just keep misting." Or something like that. ;) If you're not misting between steps and applying your serums to damp skin, you're majorly missing out! A facial mist is a crucial between steps in every skincare routine because water acts as a vehicle that helps to transport the nutrients from your other products into your skin.

Without water, many skincare ingredients and actives will sit on top of the skin or only penetrate the skin slightly, rendering them way less effective (and in some cases, useless!)

To maximize the effectiveness of your skincare routine, be sure to apply your serums and facial oils to damp skin. The easiest way to ensure this is to mist between steps - after cleansing, before your serums and before applying any facial oils or balms. 

Looking for a new fave? We offer three beautiful facial mists to get the job done - The Offering for those looking to age gracefully, Heart Rising for those with dry or sensitive complexions, and Still Waters to calm and soothe acne-prone skin. 

Order is everything

To get the most out of your skincare, you also want to be sure that you're applying your products in the right order. For example, if you apply your daily facial sunscreen before your morning moisturizer, you could be seriously diluting your SPF and risk getting burned. If you apply your retinol serum after your facial oil, that retinol will likely just sit on top of your skin instead of diving deep into your pores and regenerating cells. While some say to apply your products "from thinnest to thickest" - meaning apply products with the thinnest consistency first and the thickest consistency last - this isn't always the case.

Here's a simple format to follow in your morning & evening skincare routines:

Morning

1. Cleanse (If double cleansing, use your oil cleanser first.)
2. Toner / mist
3. Daytime serums
4. Light facial oil
5. Sunscreen
6. Foundation & makeup

Evening

1. Cleanse (If double cleansing, use your oil cleanser first.)
2. Mist (Use a facial pad to wipe away any remaining makeup if needed.)
3. Exfoliant or Mask
4. Toner / mist
5. Water-based serums
6. Water-based cream or moisturizer
7. Mist
8. Oil-based serums
9. Facial oil and/or balm

Press to impress

One technique that you may be missing when it comes to your oil-based serums and facial oils is our favorite press & massage technique. While many of us simply massage our serums and oils into our skin, you can get the most out of these products by gently pressing them into the skin before and during your facial massage. 

Next time you use your facial oil(s), try applying gentle pressure using the pads of your fingers. This technique will help your products penetrate more deeply into the layers of skin so you see maximum results. A facial roller used with your favorite serum or facial oil can also mimic this technique, applying even pressure while simultaneously lifting and sculpting.

Don't forget to exfoliate

One of the most common mistakes we encounter is forgetting to exfoliate! The purpose of exfoliating - whether with a chemical / acid exfoliant or a physical exfoliant - is to eliminate dead skin cells that build up on the surface of the skin, making space for new, healthy skin cells. As we age, this process slows down so our skin doesn't turn over cells as quickly. Certain skin types, such as acne-prone skin, are naturally slower at this process as well. 

Exfoliating 1-3x weekly (only once if you have sensitive skin) can help you get the most out of your skincare routine because you'll be applying your precious products to living cells, rather than dead ones!

Our best-selling Valley of Light Illuminative Mask offers a gentle chemical and physical exfoliation using natural alpha-hydroxy-acids found in Hibiscus and ultra-fine, hand-ground Balinese Arabica coffee. Win win!

Find more reasons to love 'em

One of our favorite, creative ways to get the most out of your skincare products is to find more ways to use and love them. We love seeing all the ways our customers have found to incorporate Wabi-Sabi Botanicals into their rituals. Finding alternative ways to enjoy your favorite natural products is easy - hair oils can double as body oils, cleansing balms can double as moisturizing masks, and so much more! 

Here are some of our favorite, creative ways customers love to use Wabi-Sabi Botanicals best-sellers:

Light Reveal - as a brightening & dark circle-reducing eye serum 

The Giver Ritual Cleanser - as a hair & scalp treatment, body oil (amazing for cellulite!), or mixed with a bit of Valley of Light Mask powder to create a beautiful exfoliating treatment

Balancing Act - as a makeup primer

Moisture Boost - added to clay masks to lessen their drying effects, as a dry hand & elbow treatment (especially in the winter!)

Blemish Correct - as a spot treatment, applied to rosacea to reduce redness

The Offering Ritual Facial Mist - used to activate powder masks, as a makeup setting spray

Choosing products that multi-task (and do it well) means more ways to play, more rituals, more joy & more benefits from your products. 

Oh, and get yourself a Spatty

Last but not least, did you know that, on average, we toss out 15% of the products we pay for? We discovered this must-have called the Spatty that's like a little spatula to reach down into your bottles & get the most out of your products. Pretty genius, if we do say so. 

You can get the Spatty and the Spatty Daddy (perfect for larger bottles like shampoo or conditioner) for under $12 here.