Category: skincare routine

layering skincare products for maximum effectiveness

Layering Skincare for Maximum Effectiveness

Posted on by Editorial Team

Achieving healthy, glowing skin isn’t just about using the right products—it’s also about applying them in the correct order. Layering your skincare products properly ensures that each one is absorbed effectively, maximizing its benefits. If you’ve ever wondered which product goes first or why certain steps matter, this guide is for you.

Why Layering Skincare Matters

Applying products in the right sequence helps them penetrate the skin properly. Lightweight, water-based products should be applied first to hydrate and prepare the skin, while heavier, oil-based products should be applied last to seal in moisture and active ingredients.

In What Order Do I Layer Skincare Products?

Step 1: Cleanser

Start with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup. Cleansing ensures that your skin is fresh and ready to absorb the following products. If you wear sunscreen or makeup, consider double cleansing with an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser.

Product suggestions:

  • For oily skin: gel or foam cleansers with salicylic acid
  • For dry skin: Cream or oil-based cleansers like our facial cleansing oil and makeup remover
  • For sensitive skin: Fragrance-free, hydrating cleansers

Step 2: Toner (optional)

Toners help balance your skin’s pH and remove any remaining impurities. They also prep your skin to absorb serums and moisturizers more effectively.

Product suggestions:

  • For oily/acne-prone skin: Astringent toners with witch hazel or BHA
  • For dry skin: Hydrating toners with hyaluronic acid or rose water
  • For dull skin: Exfoliating toners with AHAs like glycolic acid

Step 3: Serum

Serums contain concentrated active ingredients that target specific skin concerns like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or hydration. Choose a serum based on your skincare goals.

Product suggestions:

Step 4: Eye Cream

The delicate skin around the eyes is thinner and more prone to wrinkles, so an eye cream can help keep it hydrated and smooth. Apply with your ring finger to avoid tugging the skin.

Product suggestions:

  • For dark circles: Vitamin C or caffeine-infused eye creams
  • For dry skin: Thick creams with ceramides
  • For combination skin: Balancing lotions with both humectants and emollients

Step 6: Face Oil (optional) or Moisturizer

If you use facial oil, it should be applied after moisturizer to seal in hydration. Oils are especially beneficial for dry or mature skin.

Product suggestions:

  • For hydration: Rosehip or squalane oil
  • For reducing signs of aging: Argan or marula oil
  • For acne-prone skin: Jojoba or tea tree oil
  • For sensitive skin: A gentle brightening moisturizer like our age-defying Vitamin C face creme

Step 7: Sunscreen (Morning routine only)

Sunscreen is the most important step in any morning skincare routine. It protects against UV damage, premature aging, and hyperpigmentation.

Product suggestions:

  • For oily skin: matte-finished gel-based SPF
  • For dry skin: Hydrating SPF with added ceramides
  • For sensitive skin: Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide

Final Tips for Layering Skincare

  • Wait between layers. Allow 30-60 seconds for each product to absorb before applying the next one.
  • Use products with compatible ingredients. Avoid mixing strong actives like retinol and vitamin C in the same routine unless recommended by a dermatologist.
  • Adjust your routine as needed. Your skin’s needs change based on weather, age, and lifestyle.

Choosing the right skincare products to layer can be a challenge, but by following these guidelines, we hope to make it easier.

How Stress Affects Skin and Hair Blog graphic

How Stress Affects Skin and Hair

Posted on by Editorial Team

There’s no doubt that stress has been a part of our existence over the past few years. A global pandemic, among other things, have challenged everyone to cope in different ways. In this blog post, we’ll be addressing how stress affects skin and hair, and what you can do to deal with these challenges.

How Stress Affects Skin

How does stress affect your skin? When we are stressed, our bodies undergo many changes that impact our skin. Psychodermatology studies the effects of our emotional states on our skin. Hormones like cortisol and adrenaline activate our “flight or fight” response. This can cause an increase in oil production, leading to increased acne. Excessive sweating, and decreased blood flow to the skin can provide the ideal environment for fungal infections and other skin conditions. Stress has been shown to trigger outbreaks of eczema and psoriasis.

Rosacea is another common skin condition that causes facial flushing and occasional blemishes. Its etiology is not really known, but there are many triggers that can bring on a rosacea flare-up, like alcohol, excessive heat or cold, or stressful situations. It also tends to run in families.

How Stress Affects Hair

How does stress affect our hair? While the hair shaft itself is not alive, it is attached to hair follicles, which are impacted by environmental and psychological stressors. Ever notice how our U.S. Presidents appear to turn gray almost overnight? Many have attributed this to the responsibilities inherent in their office. One Columbia University study demonstrated that, when stress was reduced, gray hair reverted back to its original color. Lifestyle factors like extreme dieting, malnutrition and sleep deprivation can also impact hair production and quality. Dehydration can affect both skin and hair, leaving it brittle and dull.

Improving Skin and Hair by Reducing Stress

While some sources of stress are beyond our control, we can find ways to mitigate the negative effects of stress on our bodies. This can help to improve skin and hair, as well as our overall health and wellbeing. Here are a few ideas;

  • Practice mindfulness – whether it’s journaling, yoga, or TM, it’s important to connect with your inner superpower to get through the challenging periods of your life.
  • Connect with your “Tribe” – no one can get through life alone, so find time to connect with the people (and/or animals) that mean something to you. Purge negative people from your life if you need to; they will only sap your energy.
  • Eat clean and healthy – Our diets can serve to mitigate the negative effects of stress. Proper hydration helps our bodies remove toxic by-products. Too much sugar can decrease immunity and stresses the skin. Ample antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, resveratrol and anthocyanins can neutralize harmful free radicals. Extreme dieting can exacerbate hair loss and leads to nutritional deficiencies. Incorporate lots of whole foods into your diet.
  • Get a good night’s sleep – The quality of our sleep is truly important in terms of our body’s ability to recover from stress. Things like avoiding blue screens late at night, comfort, a cool environment, progressive relaxation, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol will help you achieve deep, restorative sleep.
  • Keep moving – Our sedentary lifestyles don’t serve us well when it comes to stress. When our bodies move, we release endorphins (the “feel good” hormone”). Exercise can reduce blood pressure, improve circulation, and improve sleep. Whether it’s walking, yoga, or skateboarding, find a routine that you love and can maintain over time. That can include hobbies like gardening, cooking, painting or sewing. Working with our hands can be very therapeutic.
  • Find the self-care rituals that work for you – It’s important to find out what your skin responds to; when we’re living our best life, it often shows. For some it might be a massage or mani/pedi; for others, it’s lymphatic drainage or micro-needling. Or how about a bubble bath? Whatever you choose to do, make sure that it doesn’t stress out your skin and hair. Too much sun, bleaching and dermabrasion can leave skin and hair feeling dry and irritated.
  • Know what’s in your skincare and haircare products – More consumers are reading labels and that’s a good thing. It’s important to know what you’re using, in the event that you develop an allergic reaction, or if you have dry, sensitive or problem skin. Keep things simple and use one product at a time, if necessary, until you know how your skin and hair respond. Use products that include soothing ingredients like aloe, Vitamin E, castor oil, glycerin, allantoin and gentle oils and cleansers. If retinols are too harsh, try pro-retinol. Use a barrier sunscreen if you’re spending considerable time in the sun. Along with the previous steps, you’ll see (and feel) the difference during stressful times. To see our line of restorative skincare products, visit Our WEBA Naturals line.

Reference: https://www.insider.com/how-stress-hurts-your-skin-2019-5

Embracing skinimalism pinterest graphic blog post

Embracing Skinimalism

Posted on by Editorial Team

What is Skinimalism?

Of all the trending buzzwords we’ve come up with, “skinimalism” is one that many are embracing. But what is skinimalism? Coined by editors at Pinterest, it emphasizes the “less is more” philosophy when it comes to skincare products and routines. Suddenly, customers are celebrating their natural skin with all of its quirks. The trend toward simpler skincare and minimalist makeup are here.

Why Skinimalism?

There’s no doubt that before the pandemic, ten-step routines and product layering were real things. When the pandemic hit, a combination of events changed the game for those of us who were sequestered at home for a period of time. Suddenly, using a plethora of products seemed excessive. Having to wear masks translated into a reduction in the use of lipsticks and foundation. Specific skincare issues like maskne and redness became the focus of attention. And who doesn’t want to same time and money on their skincare routine? The question now is whether skinimalism is here to stay. We may not know the answer until later this year. If you’d like to embrace skinimalism, keep reading.

How To Embrace Skinimalism

For those who are looking to simplify their skincare routine, we have a few ideas;

  • Re-assess your skincare needs – There is no one-size-fits-all approach. It depends upon your current lifestyle. Are you experiencing more stress or increased irritation? Are there too many confusing steps or ingredients that you don’t know anything about? Or is your skincare routine just too expensive or too complicated? It’s important to know what you really need and what you don’t.
  • Start with the basics – We know that we need to cleanse, moisturize and protect. Once you have the basics down, a spot treatment can address any skin issues. Keeping it simple will allow you to see if your products are causing irritation or allergic reactions.
  • Use multipurpose products – this is also trending, and it makes sense if you’re looking to simplify. Multipurpose moisturizers like our All Purpose Body Balms or our All Purpose Dry Oil soften and nurture head to toe. Our 3-in-1 bar soaps contain glycerin and castor oil, and are suitable for cleansing, shaving and shampooing. Other products can include shampoo/conditioner combos, tinted moisturizers and serum foundations. You are bound to find the product combination that works for you.
  • Embrace your natural skin – when Grammy winner Alicia Keys went make-up free, it was the beginning of a move towards a more natural look and heightened self-acceptance. Today, countless people choose not to hide their freckles, moles, wrinkles or gray hair. Cosmetics have also become lighter and more natural-looking. As a result, the emphasis is more on targeted skincare products that enhance and protect. If you need to, consult with a dermatologist in order to get troublesome skin conditions under control. They can also suggest products to use, particularly if you have infections or very sensitive skin.

Whether you choose to embrace skinimalism or not, it’s a trend that may have a long future as consumers move towards more natural looks.

To Prime or Not to Prime Pinterest graphic

To Prime or Not to Prime?

Posted on by Editorial Team

What is a primer?

A primer is a cream or lotion that is applied under makeup to help prepare it for makeup and/or to smooth out the skin. Primers are often water-based or silicone-based, and are usually fragrance-free. They can help makeup last, but many also improve the skin’s hydration, texture and more. Some even include sun protection.

There are primers for the face, eyelids and lips, and they are everywhere. The big question is whether or not you should use a primer on a regular basis.

When Should I Use a Primer?

No doubt, many consumers swear by primers for their ability to smooth out the skin, hydrate, reflect, and protect skin before applying makeup. Ingredients like dimethicone are designed to sit on the uppermost layer of skin and make applying makeup easier. Some people experience an allergic reaction, however. If you have sensitive skin, there are water-based primers. Primers with antioxidants like Vitamins A and C, green tea extract, and other ingredients can help banish things like redness and hyperpigmentation, improving skin over time. Others choose to use a primer by itself, for its skin-improving benefits. Our Age-Defying Vitamin C Face Creme uses an alternative to silicones and Ascorbic acid, which can be irritating at high doses. It is also loaded with antioxidant rich botanical extracts like green tea, rose and geranium, and Niacinamide.

When Should I Not Use a Primer?

With so many formulations on the market, it’s easier than ever to find a primer formulation that your skin will like. However, if you have skin conditions like cystic acne or are extremely sensitive to ingredients, you should not use a primer without reading the label carefully. Make sure you understand which ingredients are in a formula and what they do. The same would apply to any product, of course.

Another reason to avoid primer might be that your current regimen contains sufficient skin-nurturing ingredients so as to render a primer redundant. For example, many BB, CC creams and regular foundations contain the same ingredients. If so, then why pay more for ingredients that you’re already using?

In conclusion, the decision to prime or not to prime is entirely dependent on your skin’s needs, your lifestyle and your personal preferences. Primers may serve an important purpose. If so, they deserve a place in your cosmetics arsenal.