What goes first…
moisturizer or serum?
facial oils or toner?
We’ve got the ultimate skincare rundown, so you’ll never need to think about it again!
Depending on your skin type, layering your skincare products in a specific order can determine how well they are absorbed into the skin. Generally, there is a ‘rule’ to apply your skincare from thinnest to thickest. So, the more liquid-y products such as toners are to be used first, then oil based or creamy products last. This can make things tricky if you have a multi-step skincare routine, so we’ve got you covered.
First question: how many skincare products do you need?
This is entirely dependent on your skin type and concerns. If you’re unsure what your skin type is, we recommend taking our skin type quiz to find out. If you have sensitive skin, it may be best to use as few products as possible, in comparison to someone with consistent breakouts who requires more combatting treatments.
It can depend on lifestyle too – if you’re really busy and most of your evening is spent trying to get the kids to bed or you’re up at the crack of dawn for an early commute, you may want to keep it simple, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Sticking to the basics: cleanser, moisturizer and SPF.
Ultimate layering: cleanser, toner, serum, eye care, moisturizer/facial oil, spot treatment, SPF (am only).
Step 1: Cleanser
Makes sense, right? Using a cleanser will remove your makeup at the end of the day and provide you with fresh skin in the morning, ready to apply your skincare products.
If you wear makeup, we recommend double cleansing to ensure your skin is free of any stubborn product to get maximum absorption from your skincare products.
Step 2: Toner
Toners help remove the final traces of dirt whilst balancing the pH of your skin. Depending on your concerns and skin type should determine which toner you go for. For example, if you have oily skin you may choose to use an oil control toner, or if you have large pores you may opt for a pore minimizing toner.
Step 3: Serum
Now we’re getting to the nitty gritty, serums. They’re designed to target specific concerns and are best applied while the skin is still a little damp from the toner. They contain concentrated amounts of active ingredients to penetrate the skin’s surface for optimum effectiveness. If you suffer from dehydrated skin, ingredients like hyaluronic acid are beneficial due to its moisturizing properties. Whereas retinol is the perfect anti-aging serum.
Step 4: Moisturizer
The final step is to lock in all that goodness from the previous steps and leave your skin nourished and protected. Moisturizers have a thicker consistency as they are designed to be absorbed into the skin more slowly. Over moisturizing can have negative effects with your skin believing it has enough water, liquids and protein so it produces less nutrients of its own. Getting the right moisturizer is important for your skin type:
- Dry skin – look for moisturizers containing ingredients that prevent water loss, hyaluronic acid or antioxidants
- Oily skin – stick to oil free formulas, water-based gels
- Sensitive skin – avoid ingredients that cause inflammation for your skin
