The Ultimate Guide to the Correct Order of Applying Skincare!

Whether you are a skincare newbie or an enthusiast, it is important to know the correct order of applying your skincare products. I will say that it is even more important than which skincare products you are using. Applying your skincare products in an incorrect order may not improve your skin issues at all, ultimately wasting products.

The basic overarching rule for the correct order of applying skincare is to apply your skincare products with the thinnest consistency (essences and serums) first, then follow up with the thicker skincare products (moisturisers and non-comedogenic oils).

1. Cleanser

Whether morning or night, cleansing is always the first step of your skincare routine. However, some experts argue that you should only cleanse at night and that there is no reason to cleanse your skin in the morning. But this only applies if you have done your skincare the night before and have not used strong chemical exfoliants. I use a mild exfoliating cleanser in the morning after removing my overnight spot patches.

Exfoliating cleansers are my personal favourite. I find it easier to incorporate exfoliators in my skincare routine as cleansers. It is not only convenient, but it also shortens the order of skincare products.

My favourite cleanser of all time is the Simple Smoothing Gel Cleanser. This cleanser is very affordable for the ingredients it contains. It has hyaluronic acid, which helps with hydration and retaining moisture in your skin and lactic acid which is a mild exfoliating ingredient. 

2. Toner

After cleansing, applying a toner is one of the next skincare steps. Toner is not a must-have skincare product but it can be beneficial depending on your skincare concerns.

Different toners can help even out your complexion, boost the skin’s hydration, and help with inflammation, acne and minimise the appearance of large pores. A favourite one of mine is Pixi Vitamin C tonic, which helps brighten your skin and even out your complexion.  

Another way you can add toners to your skincare is with sheet masks. Sheet masks are super thin cotton sheets, which are marinated in a liquid.

This liquid is composed of whichever skincare ingredient you need. They are usually a one-time-use skincare product, but the sheets are soaked in skincare goodness to nourish your skin. The Holika Holika Pure Essence masks are affordable, and I usually buy them in bulk. That’s how much I love them. 

PS. A simple hack to the correct order of applying skincare is to apply your toner and or serum on damp skin after cleansing for maximum absorption.

3. Serum

So you’ve cleansed and toned, now what?

Now is the time to either use one or layer your serums. Your choice of serums will greatly depend on which skin issue you want to tackle. Here is a short list of my favourite serums based on my skin concerns so far: 

• Dry skin: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid. This serum makes my skin look so plum the next morning!
• Oily and congested skin: NIP + FAB Fix Serum Extreme 2%. This one is amazing at clearing your pores as this is a chemical exfoliator.
• Uneven skin tone and dull complexion: The Ordinary Niacinamide & Zinc. This serum has great consistency, a cult favourite. Another amazing serum is the Holika Holika 3 Second Starter Serum with Vita Complex, this is a great Korean skincare brand with pretty affordable products.

Make sure to apply your serum when your skin is still damp. This causes better absorption of all the vitamins and nutrients into your skin. 

4. Moisturiser

After applying all your treatments it is now time to seal all the goodness with a moisturiser. This step is like a ‘sealant’ to prevent dryness as the day goes on. My absolute favourite is this one by Embryolisse.

5. Sunscreen

To protect your skin from the harsh UV rays of the sun, finish your skincare routine with sunscreen. This is a non-negotiable step, and you should be applying it every day. Wearing sunscreen helps prevent sun damage, and ageing and helps to even out your skin tone. 

The La-Roche Posay Anthelios Sunscreen with SPF 50, is amazing. This sunscreen is dark-skin girl-friendly because it leaves no white cast and it melts into your skin

You should aim for sun-screen with a minimum of SPF 30 because it better protects your skin against harmful UV rays. 

If your moisturiser already has a minimum of SPF 30, then you can skip this step and go on about your day. 

So what do you think? Is this too many steps for you? Or are you ready to reap the full benefits of your skincare products, by using the correct order of skincare products? Comment down below and let me know your thoughts.