Skincare Steps: The correct order to apply your skincare products

Do you have more steps in your skincare routine than you can remember? Do you know the order your skincare products should be applied in? Keep reading if you need help

The order in which you apply your skincare products is very important. To allow your products to work correctly, apply them in order of consistency from thinnest to thickest. This allows the products to effectively penetrate the skin and have the desired effect.

Morning Routine:

The aim of your morning skincare routine is to protect your skin from damage throughout the day.

Step 1 ~ Cleanse:

Use a water-based cleanser in the morning, which you can use with a cleansing brush. Cleansing is essential to rid the skin of the sweat and oil you produce through the night, in addition to any left over product from your evening routine the night before.

Step 2 ~ Spot Treatment:

If you use a clear salicylic acid treatment, you can use this after you've cleansed. Applying it straight after cleansing, allows it to penetrate the skin directly, without having to penetrate barriers created by your other products.

Step 3 ~ Toner:

Toners can be either hydrating or exfoliating. Whichever one you use, it will help balance the skin's pH, while preparing the skin to absorb the products you use after.

Step 4 ~ Vitamin C Serum:

Using a vitamin C serum in the morning is perfect to help protect your skin from daily aggressors. They are also are great for helping to brighten dull skin and decrease dark spots, but only with continued use.

Step 5 ~ Hyaluronic Acid Serum:

Adding hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine helps boost the skin's moisture content, soothe and plump the skin, restore hydration and prevent moisture loss. Using it in your morning routine enables the skin to stay hydrated throughout the day by locking in moisture.

Step 6 ~ Eye Cream:

Eye creams help to keep the thin, delicate skin around the eyes hydrated. Eye creams which contain certain active ingredients are great for combating specific concerns. Eye creams containing caffeine are great to use as part of your morning routine, as they will help combat puffiness by reducing the build-up of lipids which lead to eye bags.

Step 7 ~ Moisturiser:

Moisturisers hydrate and soften the skin, and assist in preventing water loss through the outer layers of the skin. They also help to replenish moisture lost through activities such as cleansing, which can strip natural hydrators from the skins' surface. This is why it is imperative to use a moisturiser as part of your morning routine. It is also key to use a moisturiser after using a hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture.

Step 8 ~ Facial Oil:

Applying a facial oil at the end of your routine helps to seal in all the other products you have used. They also help to increase the effectiveness of your products and leave your face feeling smooth.

Step 9 ~ Sunscreen:

Sunscreen is an everyday essential. Experts recommend a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF30 or higher. It helps protect your skin from the sun's UV rays, reduces the risk of sun damage and skin cancers, and should be the last step of your skincare routine, before you apply makeup.

Evening Routine:

The aim of your evening skincare routine is to help your skin repair any damage caused during the day.

Step 1 ~ Double Cleanse:

Double cleansing in the evening is an important part of your routine. First, you should use an oil-based cleanser. This helps remove any makeup and SPF on your skin. You should then follow up with a water-based cleanser, which will remove any impurities, oil, dirt and sweat left over.

Step 2 ~ Exfoliate:

It is recommended to exfoliate your skin 1-2 times a week. This should be done after cleansing. There are two different types of exfoliator to choose from; chemical and physical. They work in different ways, but achieve the same result. Exfoliating helps buff away any dead skin cells, build-up and excess oil. However, if you use an exfoliating toner, you should skip this step to avoid over-exfoliating.

Step 3 ~ Spot Treatment:

If you use a clear salicylic acid treatment, you can use this after you've cleansed and exfoliated, allowing it to penetrate the skin effectively. Spot treatments can help relieve pimples, discoloration, and hyperpigmentation. Benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid are great for tackling breakouts.

Step 4 ~ Toner:

Toners should be used in the evening to balance the pH of the skin and allow for effective absorption of the remaining products in the skincare routine. If you have exfoliated, you should use a hydrating toner rather than an exfoliating toner, in order to avoid over-exfoliating and irritating the skin.

Step 5 ~ Vitamin C Serum:

Using a vitamin C serum at night continues to help brighten dull skin and decrease dark spots, but only with continued use. However, if you use a retinol serum, you should avoid using a vitamin C serum as part of your evening routine. Retinol should only be used in your evening routine, and not part of your morning routine, because it breaks down when exposed to sunlight, increasing the skin's sensitivity to UV rays.

Step 6 ~ Hyaluronic Acid Serum:

Using a hyaluronic acid in your evening routine enables the skin to be replenished and replace any moisture lost during the day by locking in the moisture. However, it is essential to follow up with a moisturiser, as hyaluronic acid draws moisture from the deeper layers of skin, bringing it to the surface and potentially inflaming dry skin symptoms.

Step 7 ~ Eye Cream:

A different eye cream can be used at night compared to the one you use in the morning. Those which include hyaluronic acid, vitamins and ceramides are good for use in the evening, as they help prevent premature ageing.

Step 8 ~ Moisturiser:

A different moisturiser can be used at night. Many people use night creams, which are richer and thicker than moisturisers you use in the morning. These thicker night creams are formulated with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, which help to repair the skin overnight. However, you can use the same moisturiser at night that you use in the morning.

Step 9 ~ Facial Oil:

Just like in your morning routine, apply a facial oil last, so it can help seal in all the other products you have used, maximising their benefits. Face oils should be applied last, as other products are unable to penetrate the oil and reach the skin.

Step 10 ~ Lip Balm:

Lip care is essential overnight. Using a lip balm or mask overnight helps repair dry, chapped lips, which have been damaged by the elements during the day, such as cold air and winds, which dry out the skin. Lip masks and balms help to keep the skin hydrated and seal moisture into the lips.

*Face masks can be used as part of your evening routine 1-2 times a week. Clarifying and peel off masks should be used on clean skin after you've cleansed, while hydrating masks can be used at the end of your routine, after your facial oil, and left on overnight.