There is tons of misinformation and terrible advice out there about the correct order a skincare routine should go in. We’ve heard too many people say, “You do you boo! Whatever works for you”, and that’s NOT how it works. Two things can happen if we don’t layer our skincare products in the proper order or use the wrong toner with the wrong moisturizer. One, we will cause our products to be wholly ineffective, and two (which is worse), we’ll cause our face to be irritated.
Skincare routines take some consideration, but we’re eliminating the complicated guesswork. Nobody wants to be 10 minutes deep in the skin care aisle of the store trying to figure out what steps should be applied. Add to that mess figuring out if we need all 15 products (no, we don’t) or which comes first: toner or serum.
Before we dive deep, hear us out!
You don’t need a 6, 7, or 8 step skincare routine. Many faces do better with fewer products. If you’re like many who are just starting, it’s best to keep it simple: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. That’s all you need. If you have dry skin add some face oil or a hydrating serum into the mix. If you are dealing with breakouts, toss in an acne toner or retinoid. Start slow and keep it simple.
Step 1: Cleanser
First of all, remove your beautiful makeup and wash that face before layering on any products. For the ingredients to absorb into your skin properly, you need your skin to be free of any oil and grime. Please don’t buy into the makeup wipes because they tend to leave a layer of residue that can cause breakouts and irritate your skin. Instead, go for a cleansing oil that dissolves the makeup without stripping the skin of vital nutrients.
Now, follow up with a gentle and creamy cleanser. You’ll absolutely want to do this if you have skin that’s prone to acne.
Step 2: Toner
Face toners are no longer those terrible, alcohol-based liquids that irritate your face and leave your face stinging. These days, toners are filled with much gentler ingredients that hydrate and soothe dry skin. Toners aren’t meant to be something that lays on your skin feeling heavy. They should be priming your face for the ingredients in the products you use to be better absorbed. Remember, toner is entirely optional. If yours smells like nail polish remover or straight alcohol by chance, throw it in the trash!
Do You Have Acne?
If so, search for a toner that contains BHA (beta hydroxy acid) or AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) because they work to unclog pores, dissolve blackheads, and prevent breakouts over time. If you deal with dry skin, opt for AHAs and if you have oily skin, stick to the BHAs.
After you’ve cleaned your face:
- Tap the acid-based toner over your clean, dry skin every other evening.
- If you intend on using a retinol at night, use the acid-based toner every other morning.
- Wait five minutes or until it is dry, and move on to applying whatever is next on your list.
Otherwise, you’ll unintentionally neutralize the acids before the toner gets to work its magic.
What About Other Skin Types?
Go for a hydrating toner because it helps replenish the water the skin barrier lost when you washed and friend your pretty little face. After cleansing, tap the hydrating toner every morning, night, or both. There is no such thing as too much moisturizer, regardless of the skin type.
Step 3: Serum
A serum is essentially shots of extremely concentrated hydration, antioxidants, and nutrients that amp your skin health up as soon as you apply them to your skin. People generally skip the toner when they’re honestly the heavy-lifters of a good skincare routine. A toner is like a few sips of coffee, whereas serums are like a double shot of espresso. While serums are entirely optional, they’re an excellent first step in upping your skincare routine and boosting your skin’s health.
Morning Serum
A good vitamin C serum will protect your skin from inflammation and environmental damage during the day while brightening and lightening dark spots. It is an MVP skincare ingredient, but… it’s a bit strong so if you have sensitive skin, use it every other morning rather than every morning.
At Night
Stick with a serum full of hyaluronic acids that pulls water from the air into your skin like a magic trick. Imagine your skin hydrating while you sleep!
Step 4: Eye Cream
Eye creams are typically thinner and lighter than face moisturizers. That being said, make sure you apply them BEFORE using any other creams and oils. One important rule for applying skincare products is to start with the lightest and end with the heaviest. Eye cream isn’t essential for most people; as long as you’ve got moisturizer and sunscreen, the eye region gets the TLC they need.
Step 5: Spot Treatment
Spot treatment is for scars, dark spots, and zits. They’re best used at night when your body works hard to repair and rejuvenate. If you’re already using an acne-fighting toner or layering retinol, try using the spot treatment at night instead. Otherwise, your skin can become irritated from too much product at once. Spot treatment should be applied before the moisturizer, penetrating the skin and working its magic.
Step 6: Moisturizer
ALWAYS use a moisturizer twice a day, no matter what. It’s the one thing that keeps your skin barrier happy and healthy. Moisturizers infuse the skin with hydration and help seal in all products already used, making them more effective.
Step 7: Retinol
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that include retinol. They sink into your skin, speeding up the cell turnover giving you fresher, smoother, and less wrinkled skin. All good things take time, so give your retinol up to six months of consistent use to see the best results. You will notice more immediate results, but you'll need patience for the full effect to kick in.
Final Step: Sunscreen
Your skin needs protection from the UV rays blasting from the sun. UV rays can wreak havoc on the skin with everything from dehydrated skin, wrinkles to cancer. Always put on sunscreen before you go outside, even if it’s cloudy.
Now you have the essential steps for a proper skincare routine. Good luck and enjoy!
