In Which Order Should You Apply Your Skincare?
Bia founder and herbal alchemist Tracey Ryan shares how to layer your products to get the most benefits.
When I create a new formula, the first thing I do is look at what effect I want it to have on the skin. Then, I think through the herbs and plant materials I have stored in my brain. I have old favorites I often call on first, like calendula, which is an anti-inflammatory, soothing, hydrating and covers just about every angle of skincare. Next, I map out the product in terms of its format and texture, and then I fine-tune my creation over (and over!) until I have exactly what I want.
The fun part is actually using the products! To maximize the benefits and get the most results, you’ll want to apply things in the right order. Here’s a simple guide to what to apply first and last depending on how much time you have.
Step 1: Cleanse
First cleanse with the Exfoliating Wash. Wet skin for a gentler scrub or apply it on dry skin for a deeper cleanse. Either way, this scrub is a lot gentler than most others; it’s more like a polish. The grains, made from jojoba oil, are similar to a wax, so there’s no roughness, just effective light polishing. And castor, thistle and safflower oils draw grease and grime from the skin without drying it out.
Step 2: Target
Next, pat on the Eye Gel Cream. This tightening and cooling eye gel gives you an instant tightening effect due to the aloe vera gel and special formulation we created with xanthan gum. The arnica in here also helps de-puffs the eyes by improving circulation. I keep my tube in the fridge so it’s extra cooling after a late night and helps revive tired eyes!
Step 3: Hydrate
Layer on the Facial Oil to get the ultimate hydration boost. We choose thin and dry oils so that this elixir is really well absorbed into the skin instead of collecting in the pores. Seaweed-infused oil—which is hand harvested off the west coast of Ireland—provides a full range of vitamins and minerals, along with sea buckthorn, rosehip oil and soothing bog myrtle essential oil. I like to say this oil is made with wild Irish ingredients for wild Irish weather!
Step 4: Protect
Seal everything in with the Day Cream: this is wonderfully light but really does the job in terms of hydration. It has oil and water infusions of calendula to deliver all the best constituents from the plant. Then we add plant-derived hyaluronic acid and the scent is just a little mandarin essential oil, which balances sebum levels. This cream is good in warm weather or for those with combination skin.
If you need more moisture, try the Skin Superfood with the BiaComplex–a blend of herbal infusions designed to deeply hydrate the skin in different ways. I use it on my dry, chapped hands after gardening and as a night cream (or my day cream in the winter). I also bring it on holidays for an after-sun balm. It’s always in my handbag since it has multiple uses!
