What's The Best Order Of Skincare Products?

Do you know the best order of skincare product for your routine? While some steps may be obvious, others not so much. Just as important as the products you choose for your skin is the way you apply them, and of course, the order.

Our experts weigh in on the best order of skincare products, so you can reap the full benefits of each step and each product's unique ingredients, for the best results.

What Order To Apply Skincare

Step 1. Pre-Cleanse

The secret to an effective, thorough cleanse starts here. Start with a makeup remover to purify and remove any traces of makeup, excess oils, and other debris from the face and delicate eye area.

Step 2. Cleanse

The most important step in any skincare routine—but often the most rushed or overlooked, cleansing is the key to setting the rest of your skincare products up for success. Why? Quite simply cleansing removes all that excess oil, any leftover makeup residue, free radicals that have built up over the day, and any other impurities. Cleanse both morning and evening.

Why do you need to pre-cleanse and cleanse at night? It’s important to wash the day away with your pre-cleanser, then go in for a deeper cleanse with your skin type specific cleanser. Find the best cleanser for your skin type.

 

Step 3. Exfoliate

Exfoliation encourages the cell regeneration process, removes dull surface cells and removes debris from follicles to keep skin clear. It can also break up areas of discoloration to reveal brighter skin. One of the benefits we love most though is how exfoliation helps clear the skin to allow other products to absorb more easily.

Start by exfoliating once a week in the morning or evening (but not both) and increase if needed to up to five times per week. You can use a liquid exfoliant or a scrub, depending on your skin's needs. Here's how to really get glowing skin. 

 

Step 4. Mask

Treat your skin with a mask one to three evenings per week to nourish skin beyond the uppermost layers of the skin. Discover our guide to the best face masks for your skin type.

 

Step 5. Tone

Toners assist in evening out the porosity of the skin, giving your serum and moisturizer a smoother, more even application. Tone after cleansing both morning and night. We love our nutrient-loaded facial mists for this.

 

Step 6. Antioxidant + Serum

A serum is the ultimate product for transforming your skin. Serum formulations are concentrated and absorb quickly to a deeper level of the skin, delivering active ingredients to target your skin issues.

During the day, use a vitamin C serum for its antioxidant benefits. Vitamin C protects the skin from free radicals while promoting healthy collagen and skin brightness.

At night use a treatment serum that targets your skin conditions, whether it’s acne, sensitivity, hyperpigmentation, uneven texture or aging. With continued, regular use, serums will help you tackle any skin concern and get one step closer to the radiant, healthy complexion you desire. For products with retinol, allow up to 30 minutes for penetration prior to applying moisturizer for optimal benefits.

 

Step 7. Eye Treatments

After allowing your serum to sink into your skin, follow it with a nourishing eye cream. An eye cream or serum will deliver targeted ingredients dosed preciously for the delicate eye area—where the skin is a little thinner, to help brighten, de-puff, and reduce the appearance of dark shadows and fine lines. Pat your eye cream gently into this area, never rubbing or pulling at the skin. 

 

Step 8. Moisturize

Next, help your skin maintain its optimal moisture level by using a moisturizer morning and evening that helps seal and treat surface dehydration. Regardless of skin type, it’s important to moisturize twice daily. It not only encourages healthy cell turnover but helps fight the signs of aging. You may wish to use a lighter moisturizer for day and a richer cream like our Bio-Renew EGF Cream at night depending on your skincare needs. 

 

Step 9. Sun Protection

We can’t stress enough the importance of SPF all day, every day, even in winter. Daily application of SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50 percent according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Don’t just apply it to your face, apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin including your chest, neck and the back of your hands each morning.