What’s the best order to apply your skincare routine?

With so much focus on finding the right skincare products for your skincare concerns, it can be easy to forget the order in which you apply these products is also important. Which products or ingredients work best together? When should you apply sunscreen? Our step-by-step approach equips you with the key principles to help you find the best order for your skincare routine.

Why does the skincare routine order matter?

The best skincare products are designed to help your skin reach its full potential. Beyond the products themselves, it’s important to also consider the order you apply them. For instance, some products need direct skin contact for absorption, while others still work well when applied at the end of your routine.

Why not just use less products? Research shows that a more comprehensive skincare routine which includes a cleanser, toner, eye cream, serum, day cream, and night cream promotes healthier-looking skin compared to a routine with only a cleanser and day cream.

Considering your skincare routine order, can help you to achieve soft, smooth, healthy-looking skin.

What are the key principles for ordering and layering products?

There are three key principles for ordering your skincare routine. Firstly, always cleanse as the initial step. Secondly, apply lighter skincare products – like serums – before thicker products. Finally, consistency is key. Studies show that a consistent routine can help improve some skin concerns, such as dry skin.

To ease yourself into a skincare routine, it’s best to try a few products before settling into a routine. You may see some immediate benefits from a new product, but sometimes skincare products take time to work. Once you have introduced a product, you should wait at least 28 days to see the potential benefit.

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Step 1: Cleansing

Cleansing in the morning removes impurities from the night and prepares your skin for all the skincare goodness you’re about to apply.

Consider your skin requirements when choosing your cleanser. If dry or sensitive skin is a concern, use a creamy cleanser such as Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser, which removes impurities while maintaining hydration. If you have oily skin, then Cetaphil’s DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash can remove excess oil without over-drying or stripping your skin.

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Serums are a secret weapon for your skincare routine. They’re packed full of concentrated ingredients, so a little goes a long way.

You should apply serums directly to cleansed skin for best results. Serums need direct access to skin for absorption, unlike thicker products like moisturizers which have greater penetrating ability.

If you’re concerned about skin brightness, you might want to consider a serum that contains vitamins and antioxidants, like Cetaphil’s Healthy Radiance Antioxidant-C Serum. If you have acne-prone skin then Cetaphil’s Gentle Clear Triple-Action Acne Serum may be a good choice as it contains salicylic acid, succinic acid, and niacinamide.

Step 3: Eye Cream

Whether it's the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, or puffiness, the skin under your eyes needs special attention. That’s where eye creams come in. These should be applied directly after serums, as they are also concentrated to target a key concern.

Use Cetaphil’s Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream to brighten and smooth the delicate skin under your eyes. With this gel-cream formula, your eyes will be left looking refreshed for that well-rested look.

The bottom line

A comprehensive daytime and bedtime skincare routine is the best way to look after your skin in the long term, but it’s important to get the order of your skincare routine right.

Once you know what order to apply skincare products, be consistent! Using your products every day, and maybe occasionally rotating them, can help your skin reach its full potential.