How can you incorporate Japanese layering into your skincare routine?
Who hasn’t dreamed of having clear skin and a radiant complexion? Japanese layering is THE skincare technique to adopt for natural skin care. It involves a series of steps that allow you to take the time to pamper yourself while carefully controlling what you apply to your skin.
With layering, we’re doing away with cosmetics containing questionable ingredients and getting back to the basics—raw, natural ingredients. Discover how to incorporate this approach into your routine.
Layering: A Japanese Tradition
The Japanese place great emphasis on ritual in their daily lives: from flower arrangements to tea ceremonies, beauty routines are no exception. Layering is therefore a technique that originated in Asia and encourages us to take the time to care for ourselves.
We can say without a doubt that it is an integral part of the slow beauty movement. More than just a technique, it is a philosophy, a way of life that challenges us to reconsider how we view the world, because the way we take care of ourselves is the way we take care of others…
Layering encourages us to rethink our relationship with images, time, and our consumption habits. The main idea is precisely to get back to the essentials in the here and now. The products selected will therefore be natural, unprocessed, and of organic quality or certified by eco-friendly labels to avoid indoor pollution and unethical practices.
Japanese layering consists of the following 7 steps
1. Makeup Removal with Vegetable Oil
Affordable and excellent for removing makeup, this oil works wonders even on the most stubborn makeup—whether it’s waterproof or long-lasting—and it won’t leave your skin feeling greasy, so rest assured!
Coconut oil or plain olive oil are oils that gently remove makeup without irritating the skin or eyes.
Tip: Pour a few drops into the palm of your hand, rub your hands together to warm the oil, then apply it to your face using small circular motions, gently focusing on the most stubborn areas (eyes and lips). Then, remove any excess oil with a clean cloth, a dry washcloth, or a reusable cotton pad.
2. Cleaning
Next, it's time to cleanse your face using a mild soap or cold-process soap. Gently pat your face dry with a towel.
3. Lotion
To finish cleansing while removing mineral deposits that can irritate your skin (redness and tightness) and to tighten your pores, spray a mist of floral water onto your face. Depending on your needs, choose a floral water whose properties meet your skin’s requirements. Additionally, floral waters do not alter the skin’s pH.
Good to know: Rosemary hydrosol for acne-prone skin, lavender hydrosol for normal skin, Roman chamomile hydrosol for sensitive and reactive skin, and rose hydrosol for mature skin. Gently pat your skin dry.
4. Applying the serum
A serum is a concentrate of active ingredients that quickly penetrates the skin. Depending on your skin type, the serum will have anti-aging, moisturizing, or mattifying effects…
The Gel aloe vera is a must-have in natural cosmetics. You can harvest it directly from the plant or buy it pre-packaged. Aloe vera gel moisturizes the skin, relieves tightness, promotes healing (acne, eczema), and has a firming effect.
In addition, you can also replace the aloe vera cream or gel with a plant-based oil such as jojoba oil, which helps regulate sebum production, or black cumin oil, which is suitable for acne-prone skin.
However, oils do not moisturize; they soften the skin while each one has its own specific properties (healing, antiseptic, etc.).
5. Eye Contour
The eye area deserves special care. In fact, the skin in this area is extremely thin. You shouldn’t overload it with moisturizer. Furthermore, cosmetics designed for this purpose have a highly targeted effect that helps reduce fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness under the eyes.
Tip: Add a few drops or a light spritz of cornflower water to your eye cream. This floral water is excellent for soothing tired, puffy eyes. Then apply the mixture with your fingertips, gently massaging it in to stimulate blood circulation.
6. Hydration
To finish your skincare routine, apply a day or night moisturizer, depending on your skin type.
7. The Lips
Apply lip balm or, more simply, a dab of shea butter or coconut oil to soften them and protect them from external irritants.
At first glance, this ritual may seem time-consuming, but in reality, 5 minutes is all it takes. Don’t forget that the main idea is to take the time to care for yourself naturally while minimizing your impact on the environment by choosing raw and natural products. Your skin will thank you!