What is the Correct Order for Applying Skincare Products?

The order of your skincare matters! Layering matters for effectiveness and results!

Many people get confused on what steps come after washing their face in their skincare routine. “Do I put the serum on before or after my moisturizer? Do I apply the toner after I wash my face or does it go on after my serum? When do I apply my eye cream? And do I put facial oil on before or after my sunscreen?” These are all common questions. It’s very common for many people to often apply their products in the wrong order which can essentially slow down the results they’re looking for when wanting to improve the condition of their skin. So in today’s blog we’ll go over what the correct order of applying products should be and also discuss what type of treatments can help speed up improving your skin’s condition with the products you are using at home.

Let's start by first establishing a good way to remember skincare product order:

The easiest way to remember what order to apply your skincare products in is to apply your products from thinnest to thickest. That is, your products that are the thinnest consistency should be applied first followed by the thicker products. Layering your products using this method is important because every product has different ingredients and every product plays a different role. If you layer your products in the wrong order then you run the risk of blocking your skin from absorbing the ingredients it actually needs.

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Correct Morning Order: Cleanser, Toner, Serum, Eye Cream, Moisturizer, Sunscreen

Correct Evening Order: Cleanser, Toner, Serum, Eye Cream, Spot treatment or acne cream, Night Cream or moisturizer, facial oil

Note: Applying facial oil is optional and should be applied lightly in a thin layer. It can also replace your moisturizer at night if you feel it’s too much on your skin. Some of our favorite night time facial oils for extra overnight hydration are argan oil, jojoba oil, marula oil, vitamin e, or sweet almond oil.

**In addition to these evening steps it is important to note an additional step at the very beginning of your night routine. If you wear makeup it is most effective to remove your makeup first with an oil-cleanser, makeup wipe, or micellar water. Once your makeup has been removed you can proceed to your double cleanse (washing your face twice) then follow the remaining product steps.

You might ask, “well what if I have sensitive skin... Do I still do this order?" Yes! Just make sure the skincare products you're using are formulated for sensitive skin with gentle ingredients. And it helps if the products are fragrance free.

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So let’s recap the correct steps for applying your skincare products in detail:

1. Cleanser, face washes and soaps will be thinnest so those are applied first.

2. Hydrating toners, facial mists, rose water, etc are typically liquid based or in some cases on a pad so should be applied right after washing your face to help balance your skin’s pH.

3. Serums range from a liquid to gel consistency and are typically also thin. Serums are designed to penetrate your skin further than any other product so this step is crucial for getting the order of application correct.

4. Eye Creams are typically either a cream base or in some cases a gel-like serum. Since these products tend to be thicker they are always best applied after serums. I like to apply before the moisturizer step to ensure that my full eye area absorbs the ingredients of the eye cream making sure my moisturizer does not block those beneficial ingredients.

5. Spot Treatments or acne creams are thicker than serums and are most commonly found in cream or gel form so they are not thick as moisturizers. For this reason spot treatments and acne creams should be applied after serums and before your moisturizer.

6. Moisturizers are typically a thick consistency (especially night creams) and although some moisturizers are lightweight the consistency is still thicker than all the previous products mentioned so it should be applied next to last.

7. Sunscreen as we know is typically the product with the thickest consistency (even sheer sunscreens) and are designed to not only protect your skin from harmful UV sun rays and environmental damage but also to help lock in the products you’ve layered in your routine. A sunscreen can be viewed almost like a sealant. It’s sealing in all of your products and doing the final step of protecting your skin. Never leave home without applying a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher!

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Let’s briefly discuss facial treatments that help to maximize the results of your product application order.

Treatments like dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels help exfoliate your skin deeper allowing for better product absorption. These treatments eliminate multiple layers of dead skin (& work much better than an average scrub) allowing your skin to breathe and receive the ingredients it really needs (like Hyaluronic acid & antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, etc).

So if you are in my area or visiting I encourage you to book an appointment at my beauty lounge to experience one of our professional facial treatments or chemical peels. Check out our facials here and our chemical peels here.

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And of course this is the perfect time to remind you to grab my new skincare book on Amazon: "How to Get Clear Skin without Breaking the Bank: Top & Skincare Secrets Revealed." I go in depth about the proper way of taking care of your skin without even spending a lot of money. And I share some of my best tips and secrets about preventative skincare! So go ahead and get your copy here. I promise it will become your new favorite book of the year!

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So in this New Year I hope you will commit to a consistent skincare every single day using the correct product order! Applying products in the right order is key to healthy skin and results. Just remember; It takes more work to correct skin damage and skin concerns later compared to putting in the effort now and reaping the long term benefits!

So, the next time you feel confused about what order to apply your skincare products in I hope you’ll refer back to this blog for some helpful tips and share this blog with a friend who might find this helpful on their skincare journey. Don’t forget to shop in my online store for quality products and anti-aging skincare. Wishing for you healthy, glowing skin always! :))

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