What Is The Best Way To Apply Cream?

For example, “active ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids or retinol should not be mixed with other active ingredients such as vitamin C at the same point in the application routine. In addition, we must take into account the different pH (degree of acidity or alkalinity) of our skin,” she warns.

Regarding the method of application, Girón recommends applying first those products that are lighter or liquid and then those with higher viscosity.

However, when we apply a cream with hyaluronic acid first, even in the form of a serum, this could reduce the effectiveness of the product applied afterwards, especially if it is indicated for acne-prone skin, according to the NC expert.

“It is also true that the initial application of this type of product could be beneficial, as it reduces possible adverse effects or irritations from active ingredients applied later, which is known in the world of cosmetics as the sandwich effect,” explains Girón.

That is why it is always advisable to seek professional advice if the need arises to apply two creams with different uses and compositions, he stresses.
Use the right tools.

For her part, Briyi Pérez, makeup artist for the firm Gentleman Cosmetic, strongly recommends using your fingers to spread the cream.

Pérez advises against removing the cream from the jar directly with your fingers but considers it okay to use them to apply the product and massage the skin in the application area, always taking care to maintain proper hygiene and wash your hands well.

However, “there are certain products, such as face masks, that, due to their texture, it is more advisable to apply them with a spatula-type tool,” she points out.
To apply cream to the face, other beauty tools can be used, such as cold facial rollers or massagers, or even chilling cosmetics in the refrigerator, as this helps to soothe irritation and reduce inflammation, facilitating the absorption of the active ingredients, according to NC.

“The ideal time to apply the cream is at night, although there are some specific ones for each part of the day,” according to this makeup artist.

Get ahead of a possible allergy.

Pérez explains that if we are allergic to any of the ingredients in a cream, signs of this will surely appear on our skin, such as redness, irritation, burning, peeling or itching.

For this reason, María Ángeles Girón recommends that when using a cream for the first time, we carefully read the instructions for use and application, as indicated by the manufacturer, and apply the product to a small area of ​​the face or forearm, leaving it to act for about 10 to 15 minutes, to observe if there is any possible skin reaction.”

Improve the absorption of a facial product.

“How the skin absorbs a cosmetic is a process that involves an interaction between the chemistry of the product and the unique biology of our skin, and is influenced by several factors such as the type of skin, the formulation and the active ingredients it contains,” explains Esperanza Sáenz, Image Manager of Nezeni Cosmetics.

He points out that these interactions and factors “determine how quickly and effectively a product penetrates the face.”

To improve the absorption of the product, Sáenz recommends “gently massaging the cream onto the face in circular movements” and adds that “you can also tap it with your fingertips, especially around the eyes.”

Another key step is to thoroughly cleanse your face, both during the day and at night, to remove dirt, grease and makeup residue, using a gentle cleanser that respects the skin’s natural pH and helps keep its protective barrier intact, according to this expert.

Sáenz adds that regular exfoliation (once or twice a week) and moderate exfoliation (to avoid irritation) with chemical products (mild acids) or physical products (gentle exfoliants with particles), depending on the type of skin, helps to eliminate dead cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin, facilitating better absorption of lotions.

This specialist also suggests applying the cream on a damp face, for example after showering or washing your face, since the pores are open and the complexion is more receptive, following a specific order: first the lighter products such as serums and then the heavier creams.

Finally, Sáenz advises avoiding saturation, since “applying too much cream saturates the skin, preventing proper absorption and leaving a greasy residue that prevents makeup from settling.”

First the serum, then the cream

A facial serum is free of the oily composition of creams and is liquid, so its active nutrients can come into contact with the skin more directly, cover more ground and penetrate the deeper layers of skin tissue, explains Elena García Garrido, executive director of Goji Mediterránea.

“We should apply it after having cleaned our face, in small amounts, on clean and dry skin, massaging it into the area afterwards, and always before applying any moisturising cream. We should never apply a serum on top of a cream,” stresses García Garrido.

Application on different parts of the body

“In the case of the neck, the cream should be applied downwards; on the shoulders, using gentle circular massages; in the neckline area, in an upward motion from the centre of the chest to the sides,” explains Sáenz.

“Due to the shape of the hands and feet, it is important that the cream reaches all the corners of these extremities, spreading it well and applying a little pressure as a massage, in the case of the feet,” according to this expert.

On the other hand, the application of cream on legs and arms, “should always be done from top to bottom and spreading the product well, then massaging the area, without leaving any part of the leg or arm without applying it,” she adds.

Finally, elbows and knees are areas that tend to dry out, and their skin is rougher and harder, so it is advisable to be very rigorous when applying the cream, using circular massages and providing greater hydration in some cases,” concludes Saénz.