The "Layering Method" in RhEAL Skincare

The Layering Method

Author

Rhea Brown, CEO

Definition: the strategic application of RhEAL Cosmetics (RC) products to maximize absorption and cumulative benefits.

Ideal for: mature, dry, oily, acne-prone, scarred and combination skin types.
​We recommend using the layering method EVERY time you perform your skincare routine, however a minimum of 4x weekly is also effective. 

How to Layer

Mask (Step 1)
​Instructions: Apply two quarter-sized amounts of mask to your face with mask applicator. Layer the mask more heavily in problem areas (i.e. scars, acne, dry patches). Allow mask to absorb completely (most masks will dry clear).

Why Mask First? We mask first to nourish the skin without stripping and/or over-drying it before cleansing. Our masks are packed with dozens of skinfoods which create a more favorable environment for cleansing/exfoliating by pre-hydrating the skin.

What do masks do? Our masks hydrate, nourish, and protect your skin while bringing debris, blackheads and whiteheads to the skin surface to make them easier to extract/exfoliate away, They help active ingredients to penetrate into the deeper layers of your skin because they contain 100% active ingredients,
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Cleanse (Step 2)
​Instructions: Squeeze a quarter-sized amount of cleanser onto your face scrubber, and with a few drops of warm water, cleanse your face in circular motions for a minimum of 60 seconds. 

Why mask and cleanse at the same time? Combining a cleanser with your dried mask deeply cleans your pores and increases circulation/absorption of active ingredients while the flexible silicone bristles of the scrubber gently exfoliates, Focus on cleansing problem areas especially. You may wet the bristles of your face scrubber periodically using warm water to help move the products around and keep the pores open during cleansing. (Recommended: Allow the cleanser + mask combo to stay on your face while you gently steam for 2 minutes over hot water. You may use a towel for better insulation).

Exfoliate (Step 3)
​Instructions: Twist and wet the top of your Blackhead Poison applicator with warm water for several seconds before scrubbing in wide, circular motions, focusing on the chin, forehead, mid-brow and cheeks. Now scoop a quarter and a half-sized amount of our Organic Lavender Scrub or Sea Moss Microfoliant (better exfoliative option for sensitive skin) onto your face scrubber or fingers and exfoliate gently in circular motions, Take care to avoid the eyes. Rinse your face thoroughly with cold water to remove the mask + cleanser + dual-scrub combo. Using cold water helps to reduce irritation and closes the pores. Gently pat your face dry with a clean washcloth/face towel

*We do not recommend dual-exfoliation for sensitive skin. Simply choose one exfoliant or another each time, depending on needs of the skin, instead of both. Rinsing and follow up instructions are the same for singular and dual exfoliation.

Is redness/irritation normal after exfoliating? Experiencing mild redness/irritation is not unusual during and after exfoliation and over time, this reaction subsides more quickly as your skin acclimates to consistent exfoliation. (Excessive redness, especially with sensitive skin, is easily alleviated with the use of our anti-aging cold cream. Place the jar in the freezer/fridge for about 25 minutes before use to chill the product, then apply to areas of redness to soothe.

Tone (Step 4)
​Instructions: Spritz toner onto a clean cotton ball/round, especially for toners with cosmetic grade additives added like glycolic or lactic acid. Use ball/round to wipe product across the forehead, hairline, bridge of the nose, cheeks, jaw, chin and neck. Allow toner to air dry completely.

Why tone after cleansing and exfoliating​? Toners contain astringents which function to minimize pore size and allow water-soluble vitamins, extracts and nutrients to permeate the skin membrane after cleansing. It helps to remove any residual oil/debris left after cleansing.

Moisturize (Steps 5-7)
Moisturizer
Instructions: Apply 1-2 pumps of desired moisturizer to face and neck in circular motions. Massage well into skin for a full 25-30 seconds. Wait about 1 minute for moisturizer to settle into skin and absorb completely.

How do I know which moisturizer is for me?

• Dry/Sensitive/Mature Skin: Velvet Moisturizer
• Oily Skin: Oil Control Moisturizer
• Combination Skin: Combination Moisturizer

Serum
Instructions: Now Apply 1 drop of our Immortal Blossom Stem Cell Serum to face, massaging well for 60-90 seconds or until fully absorbed. If you appear oily, it is possible you used too much product; simply blot away any excess with a clean washcloth/face towel or paper towel.

Eye Cream
Instructions: Finally, apply a pea-sized amount of eye cream to pinky fingers, rubbing them together before gently tapping the product into the under eye area.

​You avoid stretching the delicate skin under your eyes by tapping.

​Super Masking: applying thicker layers of multiple masks for synergy and specificity.

• We recommend super masking with the Cafe au Lait mask under and above the eyes + your favorite mask(s) on your face.
• Perfect for combination skin types; apply the Moringa Mint masks to acne-prone/oily areas and our Rose Mask to drier areas like the nose and cheeks.

Mask Recommendations by skin type:

• Dry/Sensitive/Mature: Rose Hibiscus, Cafe au Lait
• Oily/Acne Prone: Moringa Mint, Aqua di Coco, Chocolat

Cleansing involves using a solid or liquid soap to break down excess oil and dirt. Cleansing also prevents acne causing bacteria from clogging your pores.
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Cleanser Recommendations by skin type:

• Dry/Sensitive/Mature or Combo: Rose au Lait and Matcha Tea
• Oily/Acne Prone or Combo: Vitamin C Cleanser, African Black Soap, Matcha Tea Cleanser
• Custom cleansers unless otherwise indicated by Rhea​

Exfoliation is an imperative part of all skincare regimens. It involves the removal of the dead skin cells on the outermost layer of your skin.

• Mechanical exfoliation: scrubs, manual/electric brushes and/or anything physically abrasive enough to grind away dead skin cells
• Chemical exfoliation: dissolution/sloughing of dead cells through acids (i.e. glycolic, lactic, salicylic)
• How Often? We recommend moderately exfoliating the face and body daily.

Scrub Recommendations by skin type:

• Dry/Sensitive/Mature or Combo: Sea Moss Microfoliant
• Oily/Acne Prone or Combo: Organic Lavender Face Scrub, Blackhead Poison Solid Scrub
• Custom scrubs, unless otherwise indicated by Rhea

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Our Botanical Toner removes left over oil and makeup that you may have missed during cleansing. We add botanicals which also aid in soothing, nourishing and hydrating the skin and amend the pH after cleansing.

Essential oils we recommend by skin type:

• Dry/Sensitive: Lavender, Geranium, Frankincense, Ylang ylang, Rose Absolute,
• ​Oily/Acne Prone or Combo: Tea Tree, Eucalyptus Lemon, Peppermint, Nialou

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It is highly recommended, but not always necessary, for everyone to use both moisturizer and serum.

• Moisturizers are oil-in-water based emulsions which allow both water and oil soluble ingredients to absorb into different layers of the skin and seal moisture in.
• Serums are usually gel or oil based and tend to penetrate deeper for long-lasting hydration and also carry high quality ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamins and antioxidants into the skin membrane.
• Eye creams are concentrated creams usually packed with caffeine, vitamins and antioxidants to tighten and lighten the under eye area.

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