How to apply skin care products effectively for best results

Sometimes we wonder why many people benefit from a certain cream but we don't seem to see any benefits or improvements. Of course it's due to different body reactions to the active ingredients and different rate of absorption. However, a simpler answer which you can control is -how you apply your skin care products.

Here, I will walk you through on the most effective method to applying your skin care products. In essence, a topical skin care product, such as a skin cream, gel or lotion, is a mixture of chemicals. Some of these chemicals are active ingredients (natural or synthetic substances responsible for biological action of the product), while the rest are inactive ingredients (substances that help protect and deliver active ingredients). Ultimately, the effectiveness of the product depends on whether (1) active ingredients work, and (2) whether they penetrate into your skin deeply enough and in sufficient amounts. The former depends on your choice of a product, and the latter -- at least in part -- on how you apply it.

Skin is a dynamic system whose condition and properties depend on temperature, hydration, environment and other factors. Therefore, the skin's ability to absorb topically chemicals can vary greatly.

Follow these 6 tips to ensure optimal penetration of active ingredients:

1) Cleanse your skin before applying skin care products for maximum penetration. The best time to apply skin care products is after your warm shower. You skin is throughly clean but it is also moist and should better absorb whatever you apply to it. CAUTION: Do not wash your skin with hot water as excessive heat accelerates skin aging. However, if you plan to apply potentially comedogenic products, splash some cool water onto yourself in order to close pores. Also, don’t spend too long in the shower to avoid excessive drying from chlorine in the water. Learn more on 6 steps to perfect skin

2) A good practice is to apply your skin care product when your skin is still moist. This helps the active ingredients to dissolve in the moisture thus easier for it to penetrate your skin. Once your cream has dried up, its rate of penetration decreases dramatically. So, don't wipe your skin dry after you cleansed or washed it , instead just pat dry. It reduces pulling and tugging to the skin too.

3) Warm skin absorbs ingredients better. Before applying a product, make sure your skin isn't cold. Apply a warm towel if needed. Sometimes, some creams suggest you to warm up the cream before application by rubbing the cream between your thumb and index finger to release the active ingredients.

4) When cleansing your skin, don't use regular soap or shampoo (too drying), use either a good moisturizing cream cleanser or just plain warm water. NOT hot water.

5) Exfoliate your skin before you apply your skin care products. When the top layer of your skin is layered by dry and dead cells, your skin care product cannot penetrate deep enough to have any effect. Exfoliate with a good exfoliater or you can even make your own at-home exfoliater. Or you can also use chemical peels to strip off your dry and dead cells. Only exfoliate not more than 4 times a month.

6) Use short, firm strokes to apply skin care products (it is best to use the middle finger). Do not stretch or rub the skin. After applying, gently tap the area with your fingers and to massage them into your skin in circular motions. On top of that, learn how to give yourself a rejuvenating facial massage after your skin care application.

Just follow these simple 6 steps and you will see a dramatic change in your skin texture. You will not be wasting your cream with wrong skin care applications anymore