Let’s be honest, with so many skincare products on the market (and more on the way), deciding which ones to use and in what order to use them can be quite overwhelming. It is important to apply your skincare in the correct order so that any active ingredients can work their magic by effectively penetrating your skin.
But what is the correct order? And how do you ensure each and every one of your products is working to its full advantage for your skin?
To help you stay an expert in the skincare field, we've put together this handy guide to help. Because the last thing you want is to waste your money on skincare that just doesn't work because you're not using it correctly…
Tailoring Your Routine
The best thing you can do for yourself and your skin is to create a skincare routine tailored to your specific skin type. Identifying your skin concerns and any areas that could benefit from improvement is the first step toward beautiful, glowing skin. When you've created that routine, you can begin addressing various skin concerns at once by layering your products.
Need help with building a tailored routine? Have a read of our skincare routines for multiple skincare types on the GLOSSYBOX blog.
- Dry Skin Routine
- Sensitive Skin Routine
- Oily Skin Routine
- Acne-Prone Skin Routine
- Ageing Skin Routine
What Order Should You Use Skincare Products?
The general recommendation for skincare routines is to start with a product that is the thinnest, and gradually work your way up to those with a thicker consistency, such as creams and moisturisers. So in what order should you use your skincare to make the most of it?
- Cleanse
- Tone
- Serum
- Eye Cream
- Treatments
- Moisturiser
- SPF
Step 1 - Cleanse your face
Morning and night, you can up your cleansing game by using a cleanser targeted at your specific skin concern. This will help you get rid off excess oil, remove makeup and improve your complexion. There are hundreds of different cleansers on the market, however, with a little research and testing, you are sure to find the formula that suits you and your needs best - whether it is an oil, gel or water-based product.
In the evening, make sure to double cleanse, especially if you’ve been wearing makeup. Your first cleanse should be with a product of a thicker consistency, ideally a balm, before moving onto your regular cleanser.
Why do you need to cleanse twice you ask? Well, the first cleanse works to break down any makeup and remove dirt and excess oil, while the second cleanse then addresses your particular skin type or concerns, as skin is already clean.
As your first cleanse, try the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. This product went viral for a reason! When it comes into contact with your skin, it melts and provides a nourishing cleansing action that leaves your skin soft and supple. After that, try using the Bioderma Sensibio Cleansing Micellar Water to gently but effectively remove impurities while soothing any irritation.
Step 2 - Tone
Toning is not necessary for your routine to work, but depending on the toner you choose, it can work to resurface and revitalise your skin by addressing any additional skin concerns you may have. When used on a daily basis (both morning and night), your skin will appear toned and smoother.
There are many toners to choose from, and whether you want a smoother complexion or a more even skin tone, there is a product for each job! The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, my personal favourite. Gently exfoliating the surface layer of your skin, this product restores clarity and visibly improves the skin's uneven texture.
Step 3 - Put those serums to work
Serums can do a variety of things, all of which are actually nearly magical! But, using a serum in the morning and before bed is your best bet at regenerating, firming and toning your skin, clearing blemishes AND reducing wrinkles and redness!
Our top tip? You might want to look into using a different serum in the am and the pm. Why? Because some can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and that’s not exactly ideal during the day!
If you only want one serum in your life though, try The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum which gives the appearance of healthier, smoother, and more even skin.
We also, of course, love the GLOSSYBOX Night Serum, which deeply nourishes and brightens your skin, leaving you with a radiant complexion when you wake up. Glycolic acid, blueberry oil, and Persian silk tree extract all work together to exfoliate dead skin cells, hydrate and reduce tiredness signs.
Step 4 - Don’t forget your eyes
We all know that the skin around our eyes is delicate and thin, and it can reveal whether you got your eight hours of beauty sleep or not! To achieve a bright eye look, while also minimising fine lines, an eye cream will be your BFF.
The CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, developed by dermatologists, targets dark circles and puffiness around the delicate eye area, making your eyes appear brighter and smoother.
Step 5 - Treat the skin
When used in the evening, a targeted skincare treatment is a great idea as it works while you sleep. If you think a treatment is an option for your skin, do your research first. However, some of our favourites to consider are retinol and glycolic acid! Despite this, you should only use these types of treatments two to three times per week until you build up a tolerance.
Step 6 Moisturise
After all of these steps, you might think your skin doesn't need a moisturiser, but you'd be wrong. A moisturiser helps to lock in your skincare, provides hydration, and protects the skin from environmental aggressors.
There are plenty of moisturisers that will work for your skin type or concern on the market; just make sure to check to see if the one you have chosen is specifically formulated for the job at hand.You've probably heard of Weleda Skin Food, which appears to be everywhere. This intensive moisture cream is ideal for the upcoming colder months. It nourishes your skin and forms a protective barrier over it, to protect it from harsh weather and pollution. It can also be applied to the entire body!
Step 7 - Protect from the sun
We keep harping on about the importance of SPF, and we're unlikely to stop anytime soon. Sun damage can cause your skin to age prematurely, as well as result in sunspots and pigmentation. So, in the morning, make sure you’re applying an SPF that is suitable for you - and that you’re applying it to both your face and neck.
After all the hard work you’ve been doing to make sure your skin’s in check, you don’t want to undo it by failing to apply an SPF. Not sure where to start? Try theLa Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Sun Protection Invisible Face Mist which was developed primarily for blemished and oily skin. It has an SPF of 50+ and can be worn alone or over makeup!
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