How to layer your beauty products in winter. Yes, "layer".

As the weather get chilly, we’e once again reminded that layering is key. And I’m not just talking about your wardrobe. Knowing which beauty products should be applied, and in which order can make all the difference to your winter skin.

Often in the rush of wanting to get stuff done, we fail to give each product enough time to properly penetrate the skin and do it’s thang. In an ideal world, you should leave at least 20-30 seconds between each product, which will enable it to sink in and prepare your skin for whatever is coming next.

Related: 10 reasons why sex during winter is the worst.

Your daytime routine

During the day, your morning routine should act to remove any remnants of products left overnight and prep the skin properly for new ones.

Step 1. Cleanse: Regardless of your skin type, the best type of cleanser you can use is a cream-based one, especially if you’re over 30. The reason is that once we hit the magic 3-0, our skin loses a lot of moisture and elasticity and requires a lot more hydration than it used to. Cleansing with milky-based products respects the new landscape of your skin and is far gentler than foamy type stuff.

Step 2. Face cream with SPF. During the day you should be using a fairly basic moisturiser. All you want is something that will keep your skin hydrated and comfortable. During winter, you might choose something slightly heavier than you use during the warmer months which will put back some of the depleted moisture.

Related: Sorry to break it to you but you’re washing your face all wrong.

However, if you really want to step things up, you can look for moisturisers which give that little something extra: think pigmentation treatment, wrinkles and oil control. The choice is all yours, just make sure whatever you use has SPF. The Iluka Light Day Cream with SPF ($29.99) is a good all-rounder. (Post continues after gallery.)

Step 3. Eye cream: The skin around your eyes is fragile and delicate, and is often one of the first areas to show signs of ageing. For this reason you need a specially designed eye cream. Like a lot of things, you can find one to treat whatever skin concerns you may have; wrinkles, dark circles, fine lines, dehydration.

Related:“It’s meant to be used on your bum, but this cream is my skin’s secret weapon.”

Step 4. Primer: Waiting between 30 seconds and a minute between your face cream and your primer will ensure your skin has had enough time to absorb the skin care goodness and be ready for your daily makeup. This way, everything will look a whole lot smoother and won’t slide off your face come coffee break.

Step 5. Makeup: Give it at least 20 to 30 seconds between applying primer and foundation (if you wear it) to make sure everything does it's job properly. (Post continues after gallery.)

Night time

Night time is when our skin does it's best repair work so it pays to treat it with some good quality products to help it along it's way.

Step 1.Remove makeup: Yes, removing your makeup and cleansing your face are two totally different steps. In order to remove your makeup, you can either choose a cleansing oil (like Dermalogica's pre cleanse), micellar water or a makeup wipe, just make sure whatever you use is taking off all your makeup in preparation for cleansing.

Related: I've found the wonder product for dry, chapped lips - but I'm too embarrassed to put it on in public.

Step 2. Cleanse: Once your makeup is well and truly off your face, you can move on to cleansing. Again, if you're over 30, this should be in the form of a cream cleanser (the same one you use in the mornings is fine). Apply a small amount on to your finger tips and stand there for a good 20 to 30 seconds massaging the beejeebus out of it.

A lot of us spend a great deal of money purchasing expensive cleansers but when it comes to using them it's a quick slap on and rinse off affair. You're not doing your cleanser (or your wallet) any favours if you're doing this. (Post continues after gallery.)

Step 3. Exfoliate: This is not a nightly thing. I repeat: Not nightly. Generally exfoliating the skin two to three times per week is enough for most people. Not only does this remove dead skin cells and flakey bits, but it also preps the skin for all the lovely products you're about to treat it to. You can choose either a manual exfoliant (but be careful as these can sometimes be very abrasive and tear the skin) or you can use something which exfoliates the skin chemically (like Go-To skin care exfoliating swipies).

Related: Sleeping Beauty: the best treatments to do at night.

Step 4. Pimple treatments: If you're dealing with pesky spots, the best time to apply your treatment is on clean skin. That way, the active ingredients (AKA the pimple killers) can properly penetrate.

Step 5. Apply serum or treatment: You're not using a serum? Well lady, get yourself out there and get one! STAT! A serum in a lot of ways is the most essential part of your skin care routine because it targets the things that bother us the most, be it acne, lines, wrinkles, pigmentation or dehydration. Serums are concentrated formulas designed to turn things around in skin town and for this reason tend to be a little pricey, which can put some people off. However, think about it this way, you're only using a few drops a night, and they are packed full of stuff that will make a difference.

Step 6. Night cream: The night cream you choose should not be the same one that you use during the morning. The primary reason for this is because your daily face cream will have added SPF and you just don't need it at night. Not only that but given how much rejuvenation your skin does while your snoozing, it's best to use products which help it along on it's merry way.

Step 7. Eye cream: Using the same eye cream during the day and night is absolutely fine so long as it doesn't have added SPF. If you're concerned about dehydration and fine lines, look for something highly moisturising and nourishing. You can also look to use something with added benefits like Retin-A treatments which are without doubt the best when it comes to targeting visible lines around the eyes. Just be careful though, they can be irritating and take some getting used to.

What's your winter beauty routine?