Ah, skincare. The often polarizing yet endlessly popular pocket of the beauty industry where those in all phases of their skin journeys come to hydrate, smooth, plump, and preserve. Real glow-getters know that in a world where a single tube of our beloved serums, creams, and the like can cost hundreds of dollars, doing our part to make sure they’re performing optimally is of the utmost importance. This can mean storing active ingredients out of sunlight or even in the refrigerator, but even more baseline than that, it means layering skincare products onto our skin in the proper order. Yes, the order in which you apply products matters!
This might seem like a no-brainer, but every good routine starts with cleansing. Even if you did a thorough cleanse the night before, chances are at least a mild cleanse will be needed in the morning to remove any residual product or debris from the skin to prepare for your morning routine.
If you regularly engage with online skincare content, then you’ve probably seen some version of an infographic outlining the order in which to apply products. Generally speaking, the accepted rule of thumb is that we should apply them in order of thickness, starting with the thinnest liquids and finishing with the thickest creams or salves. By that logic, the first product to hit your skin after you cleanse should be a liquid toner if you use one. Our experts subscribe to this general rule, too, although Marino points out that a skincare professional can help you identify any instances where your individual routine might differ. “Many products can have names that confuse clients,” she says. “For instance, there are serums that are an oil texture, toners called lotions, and so on. A professional will help curate a routine for you and teach you the proper order of application to ensure maximum benefits.”
Next come treatments like serums. “Serums are generally smaller molecules and are meant to absorb into deeper layers of the skin, while creams are heavier and moisturize the upper layers of skin. If you were to apply your skincare out of order, you’re 1. wasting product and 2. not getting the maximum benefits of each product,” Marino says. Both our pros agree that a potent antioxidant serum is the best way to go in the morning.
If you remember watching N*SYNC perform on TRL, then it’s probably time to wear eye cream. Although the internet was set ablaze a few years back by the revelation that eye cream should actually be applied before moisturizer, it’s now a widely accepted truth.
“After allowing your serums to absorb a bit then you can move on to applying your moisturizer,” says Vergara. For daytime, a lightweight moisturizer can work well under makeup and as a precursor to the final daytime step, SPF.
You know the drill: SPF, all the time, no matter what. And Vergara reminds us that going in once in the morning and forgetting about it for the rest of the day isn’t great, especially if you’ll be spending time outside. She recommends re-applying every three to four hours.
After a long day spent sweating and collecting various environmental pollutants all over the face, cleansing is so important. If you’ve been wearing makeup, a double cleanse is a great option to ensure that all traces of makeup and grime are thoroughly removed from the face. After that, a lathering cleanser to grip any remaining dirt excess oil leftover from your first step will wipe your slate completely clean for the remaining steps of your routine.
While they can certainly be beneficial in some cases, Vergara is on the fence about the use of toners at night. “I don’t really suggest using toner as a part of your skincare routine unless you have oily skin or if you have very enlarged pores,” she says. Especially if you’re using treatments like retinol, peptides, or growth factors, she says it’s important to apply those ingredients straight away after cleansing to work their magic as our skin repairs itself at night. “If you are one that has redness, rosacea, or sensitive skin you should just avoid the use of toners in general,” she adds.
Retinol is one of the most commonly recommended treatments to use nightly. But as Marino calls out, it’s important to consider the other ingredients in your routine to identify the best ones to use. “If you’re using a toner like the Biologique Recherche Lotion P50, you’re not going to want to use additional acids or retinoids. This is why it’s so important to consult with a pro. They will guide you to prevent you from overdoing it or wasting your product,” she says. As mentioned above, Vergara reiterates that if you’re using any prescription facial treatments for acne or other skin conditions, they should be applied on freshly cleansed skin and not after toner, unless otherwise directed by your physician.
Just when we thought we could finally put the when-to-apply-eye-cream-debate to rest, Marino came through another factor to consider. “I generally apply eye cream as the first step after toner. Because the eye area is so sensitive, it’s best to apply the eye product first to prevent traces of other products from transferring to the delicate eye area,” she says. This trick is especially useful when products like resurfacing ingredients are in the mix, so if you’re noticing any flare-ups around your eyes when using super active ingredients, try applying your eye cream first to create a makeshift protective barrier.
Even those with the most bare-bones routines will want to incorporate a good moisturizer at night to keep the top layer of the skin moisturized and protected as you sleep.
With the recent rise in popularity for a final moisture-sealing step—slugging is the term going around the internet right now—many have been left to wonder if smearing Vaseline or other petroleum-based products all over the face post-moisturizer is actually beneficial. Our experts don’t think so. “I recommend using petroleum on the lips, elbows, knees, and feet. The only time I actually suggest petroleum on the face is when the weather is very dry during the winter months or if your skin is just very dry,” Vergara explains. Marino agrees, adding that Vaseline just isn’t the best choice of product to use all over the face. “If someone wants to lock in moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss, I’m going to recommend a product with other beneficial ingredients. When I’m feeling super dry, I grab the Rinascita Delle Olive Replenishing Balm from Furtuna Skin as a final step. This product contains medicinal botanicals that help to nurture and replenish compromised skin. The texture and scent are an elevated way to experience slugging.”
