Five Tips to Maximize Skincare Absorption

Skincare Absorption is Essential, Here’s Why…

To make the most out of your skincare routine, your products must penetrate your skin effectively. In other words, your skin should drink up all the goodness your products have to offer.

To optimize skin penetration, it's important to use skincare products that are formulated to manage the stratum corneum, otherwise known as the protective barrier. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin, consisting of dead skin cells that have shed from the surface. The condition of the stratum corneum can affect how easily and deeply skincare products are absorbed.

Using products that penetrate beneath the surface can make skin healthier, smoother, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid can facilitate delivery of the key ingredients in your beauty products. Ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and enzymes also help to break down the bonds that form between dead skin cells, allowing skincare products to absorb more deeply.

Here are five tips you can start tonight to help drive those important ingredients down into the dermis...

 1.  Exfoliate Regularly

Your products will work their magic more easily by starting with a fresh canvas. Exfoliation is a key step in this process. Dead skin clogs pores and keeps your skincare products from being absorbed easily. When you remove the dead skin cell blockade, serums and moisturizers will penetrate deeper.

 2.   Apply Products to Damp Skin

Ever notice how smooth and soft your body feels when you moisturize right after your shower? Your face is the same. When you apply products to damp skin, the water on your skin's surface helps create a barrier that locks in moisture, allowing products to absorb more effectively.

Applying your skincare products to damp skin can also prevent waste. On dry skin, products can evaporate before your skin has a chance to absorb them fully. By applying products to damp skin, you're creating a barrier that helps lock in moisture and prevent evaporation. Be mindful skin is damp and not wet, to avoid diluting the formula.

 3. Layer Your Skincare Products Properly

The order in which you layer your skincare products matters. Active ingredients like retinol or vitamin E contain smaller molecular weights, so they are accepted by skin cells easier. Ingredients with larger molecular weights, often present in creams, won’t pass through as easily and will hang out around skin cells.

The first product layer will penetrate best, so whatever your main skin concern is, the active ingredient for that concern should go on first. Then, apply other products in order of density, starting from the thinnest to thickest: toner, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen for day and creams or oils for night.

 4. Massage Your Face

Facial massage can help improve skincare penetration in several ways:
Improving circulation: Massage stimulates blood flow, which brings oxygen and nutrients to the skin. When blood flow is increased, the skin is better able to absorb skincare products, making them more effective.

Promoting lymphatic drainage: The lymphatic system helps remove toxins and waste from the body, including the skin. When the lymphatic system is sluggish, toxins can accumulate in the skin, leading to dullness and other skin concerns. Facial massage promotes lymphatic drainage, which improves overall skin health and can enhance the absorption of skincare products.

 5. Be Patient and Consistent

Finally, be patient. Seeing the benefits of skincare penetration takes time. Beautiful results will not happen overnight, but they will happen with diligence and consistency.