So, you’ve finally gathered the right skincare for your skin type, and now you’re ready to start the application process. Seems easy enough, right? Not quite. At one point or another, we’ve all struggled with figuring out how to apply our skincare in the correct order — and yes, it is possible to apply your routine incorrectly. But does applying your skincare routine in the right order really matter?
By applying your skincare products in the right order, you’ll ensure that you’re getting all the benefits from each product. Without doing this, your products won’t be able to penetrate into your skin properly.
For example, if you apply a moisturizer before a serum, there’s a good chance you’re not getting all of the benefits you want from the serum! This is because the moisturizer is thicker than the serum, meaning it’s harder for the serum to penetrate into the skin.
While we know it can feel a little overwhelming, our general rule of thumb is to apply your routine from the “thinnest to thickest” formula.
If you do this, each formula has the proper time to penetrate before the thicker products start to seal in all your benefits. To help you get started, we’re sharing our own step-by-step application routine that’ll make sure you’re receiving the full spectrum of benefits from your products, every time.
STEP 1: CLEANSE
Before starting the application process, you’ll always want to start off with a cleanser. It’s the step that really sets the stage for the rest of your skincare routine. When you start with properly cleansed skin, you’ll actually maximize the results from your skincare because the products you use afterward will be able to absorb even better.
If you want to take it one step further, we’re huge fans of the double cleansing method.
Particularly, we like to start off with an oil cleanser, like our Nourishing Oil Cleanser, to first melt through makeup and dissolve stubborn buildup like sunscreen.
Then, we like to follow up with a pore-clearing cleanser like our Purifying Cleanser to further detox and leave skin perfectly cleansed, refreshed, and ready for the next step in our routine.
STEP 2: ESSENCE
This step is the “thinnest” part of our routine. Essences serves as liquid hydrators. After cleansing the skin, you can either mist on our Hydrating Floral Essence or pat a few pumps of our Concentrated Brightening Essence on, which will both re-hydrate your freshly cleansed skin while simultaneously powerfully maximizing the effects of your products to follow.
Tata’s Tip: Move onto the next step while your skin is still damp, this allows for maximal performance of your products to follow!
Still not sure if you need an essence? You can read all about the benefits here.
STEP 3: SERUM
While your skin is still damp from the essence, it’s time to apply 2-3 pumps of your go-to serum. Serums are your biggest ally in your routine when looking to transform your skin. Serums are targeted treatments that work to reveal some serious results.
Still not sure which serum is right for you? Learn all about our maximal performance serums here.
STEP 4: MOISTURIZER
Next up, it’s time to moisturize. Once you’ve given your serum time to fully sink in, ideally 5 or so minutes, you can then apply your chosen moisturizer. You can think of moisturizers as just one of the final steps (before SPF of course) that’ll help to moisturize the top layer of your skin and really create that protective barrier to retain hydrated skin all day and night.
STEP 5: FACE OIL
While this an optional step, we’re huge advocates of applying face oils as our last step in our routine. Why?
Not only do they lock in all those benefits from our previously applied products, but they also feed our skin optimal nutrients to promote our healthiest skin possible.
You’ll typically use it as your last step in your nightly routine, after your moisturizer. Or, if you’re craving some extra moisture during the day, you can apply a face oil as your second to last step in your daily routine before your SPF.
STEP 6: SPF
Do we even have to say it? Whether you’re spending the day indoors or outdoors, applying SPF as your last step in your daily routine is nonnegotiable. For your skin, it’s the least you can do to ensure all that effort you put into your skincare routine doesn’t go to waste. With SPF use and additional sun protection, you’ll help to avoid sun damage and the visible signs that come with it — all while maximizing the benefits of your skincare products along the way.
Now that you’re a skincare layering pro, you’re all set to start seeing maximal results in your routine and start hitting all your skincare goals.
Still have questions about your skincare routine or our products in general? We’ve created our complimentary Skincare Concierge service just for that! Schedule a complimentary session with our skincare experts to learn which regimen is right for you.
