What Order Should I do my Skincare?
Skincare can be AMAZING! And it can be a mystery. We buy skin care products to work, but if we’re applying them wrong or out of order, they aren’t going to give you the best results. So what order should I do my skincare? Scroll down to find out.
If you’re unsure about your skin type, read this easy breakdown: What’s Your Skin Type. It includes product recommendations for every type.
What Order Should I Do My Skincare?
In short, your routine should be in this order (even if you aren’t doing every step):
- Cleanse (cleanser)
- Prep (toner/essence)
- Treat (serum)
- Protect (moisturizer/face oil)
Step 1: Cleanse
Washing/cleansing your face first is a no-brainer, but beyond that why does the order of skincare matter? It’s mostly a matter of consistency (thinner to thicker) and then the purpose of each step.
Step 2: Prep (toners/essences)
If you’re still unsure about toners and essences, please read what are skin toners for. If you’re spending any money on your skincare, you should be using a toner. Imagine putting soap on a dry sponge and hoping it sinks in evenly everywhere – it doesn’t really. Whereas a wet sponge absorbs nicely and evenly.
Think of toners/essences as prepping your face for even and full absorption of serums and moisturizers! Because of this, toners are usually the thinnest of your skincare steps.
Step 3: Treats (Serums)
Next up are serums. Serums are the step that bring about change. There are a wide variety of serums with different purposes – hydrating, smoothing, plumping, brightening, etc. Learn more about the benefits of facial serum to find the right one for your needs.
Your serum will tell you if you should/can use it once or twice per day. I use a different serum in the morning vs. the evening. Because I constantly deal with sun spots and uneven skin tone (hyperpigmentation), I use a brightening serum in the morning. Read more about skin brightening products and what they do.
In the evening, I use either a serum with bakuchiol (natural retinol without any negative side affects) or a peptide (filling in fine lines and plumping skin)
Serums come in a variety of consistencies, but they are thicker than essences/toners and not as thick as a cream or as viscous as a facial oil.
Step 4: Protect (moisturize)
The last step in the order you should do your skincare is the protect phase. This can be a cream, a facial oil, and/or an SPF (a must every morning throughout the year).
After cleansing, the moisturizing step is usually the most commonly done! A few thoughts on moisturizers. Creams and lotions are water-based whereas facial oils are, yep, oil-based.
Morning creams are often thinner or creamier than night creams and therefore less intense. If you want to use a moisturizer and an oil together (great for super dry climates), do the moisturizer first and seal it in with the facial oil.
Feel free to comment below with any questions about your skincare products and the order you should be doing them in.
Clean Beauty & Skincare
Since clean beauty is an important part of sustainable living (what we wash down the drain matters as much as what we put on our skin), be sure to check out:
Non Toxic Makeup Brands
Crunchi Review (skincare)
Crunchi Makeup Review
Clean Beauty at Nordstrom
Clean Beauty at Sephora
Clean Beauty at Target
Clean Beauty at Walmart
Clean Beauty at ULTA
Best Beautycounter Products
Common items of interest include shampoo bar reviews and how to you use them? What natural deodorant actually works? Are there refillable deodorant options? What’s the best double edge razor blades (the best safety razors and how to use them properly). And the best makeup brush cleaner (on the cheap and easy)!
There are also great natural skin care products for men, including hair care! And you’ll want to check out these wonderful natural bar soaps as well as the answer to the ever popular question: what are skin toners for!
