How To Layer Banish Skin Care Products

Depending on your skin type, various Banish skincare products can all fit together in your skincare routine.  Here’s the recommended order to layering your Banish skincare together along with other skincare steps you can incorporate.

Determine which category your skincare product is: either a cleanser, face mask, serum, treatment, moisturizer, or mist.  

No matter how many Banish or skincare products you have, this is the recommended order to use them.   In general, you want to start with  the runniest and lightest products, to the heaviest. 

1. Cleanse ( if double cleansing do oil or cream based first, then your normal cleanser or foaming cleanser )
2. Masks ( if you’re using it that day )
3. Toner or facial mist 
4. Banisher ( if you are using it that day )
5. Banish Serum (  serums, antioxidant based serums )
6. Fighter Gel ( gel based treatments )
7. Vitamin C Creme ( moisturizer )
8. The Defender SPF 50 ( sunscreen always last step during the day, not needed in the evening )

TIP: Do not use these products or product types on the same day To Avoid Irritation.

Pumpkin Enzyme Masque - AHA Exfoliant 

Banisher 2.0 - at home microneedle 

Retinol + Ceramide Serum - Retinoids 

Night Routine with Retinol+Ceramide Serum

1. Cleanse ( if double cleansing do oil or cream based first, then your normal cleanser or foaming cleanser )
2. Optional toner or face mist
3. Retinol+Ceramide Serum

1. Cleanse.

If you don't have the All Clear Mint Cleanser from Banish, you may use another mild cleanser.  This cleanser gently cools the skin and moderately foams to help remove excess dirt, oils, or remaining makeup from the skin and contains skin-calming ingredients. If you are wearing heavy makeup, it’s best to do an initial cleanse with either a makeup remover, cleansing oil or balm to break down makeup then go in with the all clear mint cleanser. 

2. Mask

Masks like the Pumpkin Enzyme Masquecan be applied after cleansing.  Use the pumpkin enzyme masque for exfoliation because it contains an AHA called glycolic acid. Do not use the Pumpkin Enzyme Masque right after the Banisher.  The masks can be used once weekly, up to 3 times a week depending on your skin sensitivity.  You may want to cleanse again to thoroughly remove the mask. 

3. Toner or Facial Mist

After cleansing or washing your masks off, you can apply toner or facial mist.  This preps your skin to better absorb products you'll apply afterwards. 

Tip: Don't use multiple exfoliating products in a single routine.  So if your mask exfoliates or contains acids, don't use an exfoliating toner. 

4. The Banisher ( Optional Step )

The Banisher may be used after cleansing if it is part of your weekly or every other week  skin care routine for acne scars.  The Banisher should be included in your routine if you need to treat areas with acne scars, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, or stretch marks. Make sure to follow all instructions that come with your Banisher! 

How Often: Once every week or every two weeks

Avoid applying any products like AHA/BHA or retinol immediately after as it can cause more sensitivity and irritation to skin and don't this use over active rashes or acne.

5. Serums 

Next use your serums like the BanishSerum.  Serums can be used starting from when you're a teenager if you have issues like hyperpigmentation from acne.  The Banish serum is a gentle vitamin c serum made with l-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, and vitamin E to keep it stable and effective.  It also uses a humectant called vegetable glycerin as a base that draws water into the skin.  Apply 1-3 drops and pat onto skin. 

Retinol: Banish's Retinol + Ceramide Serumcan also be used.  We recommend using 1 serum per routine.  For example, the Banish Vitamin C Serum during the day, the Retinol+Ceramide serum in the evening.   You may also want to space out and use retinol twice a week to build tolerance until you can build up to using it more often depending on your skin's tolerance. 

Don't use retinol on the same day as the Baniser or the Pumpkin Enzyme Masque.

6. Gel Based Treatments 

You may apply other treatments like the  Fighter Gel. The fighter gel is anti inflammatory and provides mild pain relief so it's great for acne, irritation, and eczema. You can use it as a spot treatment and leave on, or use a apply a small amount all over skin. 

If you have other treatments like benzoyl peroxide, or other topicals, you may apply these before the fighter gel.   

Some serums may also be considered treatments too if they contain retinol. 

It's recommended not to use strong treatments until at least 1 day after the Banisher.   Retinol may perform better if you wait about 10 minutes after a vitamin c product so they won't interfere with each other's absorption. 

For sensitive skin, we recommend limiting to 1 treatment per routine since they can be irritating until your skin gets more adjusted to it. If you are acne prone or have sensitive skin and other skin conditions, you don't want to further irritate your skin. 

7. Moisturizer

For some people, just the Banish Serum, Retinol+Ceramide serum, or Fighter Gel is hydrating enough, but a Moisturizer like the Vitamin C Creme may be applied if your skin still seems dry or dehydrated as long as it doesn't cause irritation.  

Use a pea sized amount and allow it to absorb into the skin.  Remember to use products that fit your skin type. 

8. Sunscreen 

The final step in every skincare routine during the day is sunscreen. Use The Defender SPF 50 at the end of your routine and blend it into your skin. Although it's important to get a little bit of sun for proper vitamin d levels, however without sunscreen to protect skin from harmful uv rays, it can really just cancel out any of the benefits of all your skincare products and procedures. 

Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours if you're out in the sun to maintain the specified sun protective factor. 

Weekly Banish skincare routine with Masks

Cleanse first.

Beginning of week

1. Banish Pumpkin Enzyme Masque
2. Banish Vitamin C Serum
3. Banish Fighter Gel
4. Banish Vitamin C Creme 

Mid Week

1. Banish Retinol+Ceramide Serum 
2. Optional general moisturizer without active ingredients

When Do I Apply Sunscreen? 

You should always apply sunscreen daily in the morning to protect skin from UV rays as the LAST step of your routine if it's a mineral based sunscreen.   Pick a  sunscreen with UVA/UVB full-spectrum protection.  Sunscreen is always applied as the last step of your skincare routine.     

Solely chemical based sunscreens can be applied earlier as your moisturizer step as the chemicals need to be absorbed into your skin in order to work as a sunscreen. 

Can I use benzoyl peroxide with Banish?

Yes,  benzoyl peroxide would be considered a treatment step so you can apply that after the Banish Oil, or before the fighter gel. 

Can I use my retinoid with Banish? 

Yes, but don't use it on the same day you use the Banisher, or pumpkin enzyme masque. When using on the same day as vitamin c, it's best to use the vitamin c in the morning and retinoids at night.   

When do I apply toner with Banish?

Toners can be the first product applied after cleansing, or after you’ve washed off a mask as the purpose of toners, face mists or essence is to get it ready to absorb products applied after it.  The Vitamin C beauty elixir ( discontinued )  may be used as a toner step too, in which case you can apply it after cleansing.