The Correct Order to Apply Your Skin Care Products

Your skin care routine can get very overwhelming with all of the cleansers, toners, serums, and moisturizers available. Now that you have your skin care routine down: cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer. On the other hand, have you stopped for a moment to think how important the application is just much as the products themselves? Determining the best order to apply your skin care products so they are most effective effective can be challenging.

The general rule is to layer your products from thin, to thick. For example, your moisturizer would be applied last since it’s the heaviest. It’s also essential to layer based on how effective you want the product to be. Applying an acne treatment prior to moisturizing so that it doesn’t need to penetrate so many layers in order to work its magic. Follow this step-by-step guide to applying your skin care products for happy, healthy, and glowing skin.

In the Morning

1. Cleanser

Wake up in the morning with a gentle cleanser. Although it’s important to cleanse in the evening, it is just as important to wash your face in the morning to eliminate any natural oils built up on your skin. In addition to that, you want to gently wash away products you applied the night before so you can start your day with a clean surface.

2. Toner

Cleansing can only do so much, toners are a great way to pick up remnants of all dirt and oils left behind. Opt for soothing toners and avoid harsh ones that contain alcohol.

3. Serum (optional)

Serums are a great solution for targeting problem areas such as, uneven skin tone, dull skin, fine lines and more.

4. SPF Moisturizer

Regardless of your skin type, it is crucial to use a moisturizer that contains at least an SPF of 20.

5. Eye cream

This product is to be applied after moisturizing. It’s very advantageous to use an eye cream (no matter what age) because the skin around your eyes is different from the rest of your face.

In the Evening

1. Cleansing/Micellar water

Cleansing or micellar water is a great way to prep skin before cleansing. The solution never feels oily and never stings, which means you can use it all over your face from forehead to chin.

2. Cleanser

Begin with a cleanser per usual, but exercise for something stronger to deeply clean dirt away from all day.

3. Exfoliate

Use this step no more than 2-3 times a week to help expose that glowy skin that resides under the surface by removing dead skin cells.

4. Toner

Again, this step is a very important part in your routine to get rid of excess dirt and oils left behind from throughout the day.

5. Acne treatment (optional)

Following, applying an acne treatment is most powerful when done immediately after cleansing so that it is closest to the skin.

6. Serum

If you have applied an acne treatment, allow to completely dry before adding serum.

7. Night cream

Your night cream—yes, this is the different from your daily moisturizer. Night creams absorb at a slower speed into skin overtime providing optimal hydration.

8. Eye cream

Complete your skin care routine by adding eye cream after moisturizing.