The Correct Order to Apply Skincare Products

Whenever I review skincare products or share my favorites, one of my most frequently asked questions is, “In what order should I apply these products?” 

With so many products out there, layering your skincare can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! The general rule is to layer your products from thinnest to thickest. And if you’re using products with active ingredients, you want to apply the strongest first. 

Whether you’ve added new products to your skincare routine or simply need to fully understand your existing products, I hope this handy skincare layering guide helps you.

The Correct Order to Apply Your Skincare Products

Step 1: Cleanse and Exfoliate/Mask

Cleansing is your first step, am and pm. At night, I recommend double cleansing with an oil-based cleansing balm or oil first (see THIS blog post) followed by your regular cleanser. This is the most effective way to remove every trace of eye makeup, sunscreen, dirt, oil, and impurities from the day.

If you wish to use a face scrub for manual exfoliation or a face mask, do so 1-3x a week maximum after cleansing your skin at night. THIS is one of my favorite non-drying face masks that always leaves my skin exfoliated, brighter, and more refined the next day.

Origins Retexturizing Face Mask with Rose Clay

Step 2: Toner/Essence 

Toners and/or essences should be the next step. Toners and essences can do a myriad of things for our skin. To name just a few, they can deeply hydrate, minimize pores, and prep your skin for the other products in your skincare routine. This brightening essence toner is one of my favorite products to use morning and night. It’s hydrating, has incredible skincare benefits, and gives a fantastic glow. 

Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner

Step 3: Serums & Actives

The order in which you apply serums or actives will depend on their thickness. 

A few serums in my rotation right now include:

• Medik8 Crystal Retinal 20
• Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum
• Glow Recipe Pomegranate Peptide Firming Serum
• Dermelect Self-Esteem Beauty Sleep Serum

I have sensitive skin. So, to minimize irritation and still see results when it comes to actives, I prefer to alternate my retinoid and acid nights. 

At night 3-to 4 days a week after applying my peptide serum (which is thin and runny), I apply Crystal Retinal from Medik8, which has a lotion consistency. I started with strength 6, moved up to 10, and am now on 20. I’ve been using it for over a year and absolutely love it!

The nights I don’t apply my retinal, I apply my Dermelect serum in its place. It is a multi-acid serum with a thicker gel consistency. 

In the morning, I apply my vitamin C after my peptide serum instead of my actives. Easy peasy!

Step 4: Moisturizer

Now, it’s time to apply your moisturizer. I’m currently using It Cosmetics Confidence in a Gel Cream Oil-Free Moisturizer during the day. Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer from Drunk Elephant is one of my staple, holy grail moisturizers for nighttime. It’s creamy, lightweight, nourishing, and has fantastic anti-aging ingredients.

Step 5: Eye Cream or Serum

After moisturizing, I apply my eye cream or serum. My current favorites for nighttime are One Skin OS-01 Eye and Revive Eye Serum from Beauty of Joseon. In the daytime, I’m enjoying NIOD Fractionated Eye-contour concentrate.

Step 6: Facial Oil or SPF

The last step in your skincare routine will be facial oil (at night) or SPF (during the day). 

Facial oil will balance your skin (yes, even oily skin!) and seal in all the products you’ve applied throughout your evening skincare routine. For a spa-like experience, try warming up the oil in your palms before pressing it into your skin. I’ve always been a fan of Drunk Elephant Marula Oil. A bottle lasts forever and it works well for my combination, sensitive skin with rosacea.

Two sunscreens I wear regularly are EltaMD UV Clear and Summer Fridays Shade Drops. I have others for all skin types listed HERE. These are all really lightweight and wear well under makeup. You might have to try a few different ones but once you find the right SPF product for your skin, you won’t ever want to skip this step again!

Even if your skincare routine doesn’t include all of these steps, using the basics (cleanser, eye cream, moisturizer.) is better than nothing! But always research the best products for your particular skin type, no matter your age.

And don’t forget, there is science behind applying your skincare products in the proper order! Doing so will improve their efficacy and allow you to reach your skincare goals.

To shop more skincare recommendations, visit my ShopMy storefront and follow along on LTK!

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