The very best professional skin care products will have no benefits whatsoever if they're applied incorrectly. Every lotion, cream, serum or oil contains active ingredients, which, in order to make a difference in your complexion, must be able to penetrate the top layer of your skin. The skin's ability to absorb topically applied chemicals can vary according to multiple factors. Much of the active ingredient's ability to do its job depends on the method with which the user applies it.

Prepping the Skin

Always cleanse the skin (with warm, not hot water) before applying any skin care product. You want to avoid hot water for two reasons: one, prolonged exposure to heat actually ages your skin; two, most people wash their faces and bodies with tap water, which is high in chlorine. Prolonged exposure to chlorine can age your skin as well. Also keep in mind that you should never use soap or other detergents on your skin. Detergents dry the skin, and can leave residue which gets in the way of your active ingredients. After washing, pat the skin gently, but do not "dry" it. You want your skin to be moist and warm for the product application. Skin that is both moist and warm is much more capable of absorption.

Depending on the advice of your dermatologist, you may want to exfoliate your skin prior to washing it. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the top layer of skin. These dead skin cells can effectively block the absorption of your active ingredient.

When actually applying your professional skin care product, always use tender yet firm strokes. Do not pull, tug or rub on the skin. Many skin professionals say that if you can see your skin moving under your fingers, you're tugging too hard. These simple rules will provide your skin with its best chance to absorb the key ingredients it needs to stay healthy looking, and make your money well spent. If the product you've selected does have the active ingredients required to make a difference, this tender treatment you provide your skin will not only increase the product's efficacy, but it will also help reduce further aging from unintentionally harsh treatment.