What Order Should You Apply Your Skincare?
Your shelf is full, your routine is a maze, and you’re wondering if layering order even matters. It does. Apply products in the wrong order and you may not get the best from your routine. Here’s the simple guide to layering your skincare, without making things more complicated than they need to be.
The Golden Rule: Thinnest to Thickest
Start with lighter, more watery textures and work towards richer formulas. This is a useful general guide, but it isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. Always follow the product’s directions first, as some formulas are designed to be used in a specific order or on particular areas of the skin.
And one rule that isn’t flexible: SPF is the final skincare step in your morning routine, before makeup
Your Morning Routine
You don’t need six steps every morning. Start with the basics, cleanser, moisturiser and SPF, then add toner, serum or eye cream if they address a specific skin concern.
Cleanse
A cleanser removes overnight oil, sweat and anything left on the skin from your evening routine.
Oily or breakout-prone skin can benefit from a gel cleanser with salicylic acid, while dry or sensitive skin may prefer a creamy, fragrance-free formula. If your skin feels comfortable with water alone in the morning, you may not need to cleanse with a full cleanser every day.
Toner (Optional)
Toner is an optional step rather than a skincare essential. If you enjoy using one, choose it according to what your skin needs.
Dry or mature skin can look for hydrating ingredients such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid. If your skin is sensitive, choose a formula that suits your tolerance and avoid products that you know trigger irritation. Oily skin can opt for a lightweight, watery toner — or skip this step altogether.
Serum (Optional)
Your serum is where you can target a specific skin concern. You don’t need several at once, particularly if you’re new to active skincare.
For dullness or the appearance of dark marks, vitamin C can help brighten the look of skin. Niacinamide is useful for supporting the appearance of uneven texture and visible pores, while hyaluronic acid helps replenish hydration.
Choose the serum that matches your main concern and follow the product’s recommended amount and application instructions.
Eye Cream
Eye cream is another optional step. If you use one, gently tap a small amount around the eye area using your ring finger, avoiding direct contact with the eyes.
Lightweight gel textures can feel refreshing on puffy-looking eyes, while richer formulas can be more comfortable for dry skin around the eye area.
Moisturiser
Moisturiser helps support the skin barrier and keeps skin feeling comfortable throughout the day.
Oily and combination skin can reach for lightweight gel or gel-cream textures, while dry skin may prefer richer formulas containing ingredients such as ceramides. If you’re prone to breakouts, look for products labelled non-comedogenic and choose a moisturiser suited to your skin type.
SPF
SPF is the final skincare step every morning, even on grey Irish days. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with the level of protection recommended for your needs and apply it generously according to the product instructions.
Deeper skin tones may prefer formulas designed to minimise white cast, while tinted SPF can provide additional cosmetic coverage. If your skin is sensitive, look for a sunscreen formulated with your skin’s tolerance in mind.
Your Evening Routine
Your evening routine can be even simpler. The aim is to remove makeup and SPF, address your main skin concern if needed, then moisturise.
First Cleanse (Optional)
A cleansing balm or oil can help dissolve makeup and SPF before your regular cleanser. It can be particularly useful if you wear makeup or water-resistant SPF.
Oily skin can use an oil or balm cleanser too, simply rinse thoroughly and follow with a second cleanse if needed.
Second Cleanse
Use a cleanser that leaves your skin feeling clean without feeling tight or stripped. Your morning cleanser may work perfectly well here too.
If you’re breakout-prone, resist the temptation to scrub harder. Over-cleansing and physical scrubbing can leave skin irritated and uncomfortable.
Treatment (Optional)
Treatment products are where your targeted actives come in. If you’re introducing active ingredients, start slowly rather than layering several powerful products together.
Breakouts and congestion: Salicylic acid can help exfoliate inside pores and reduce the build-up that contributes to congestion.
Fine lines and texture: Retinoids can improve the appearance of fine lines and uneven texture. If you’re new to retinol, introduce it gradually according to the product instructions.
Dullness: Gentle AHAs such as lactic acid exfoliate the surface of the skin to improve the appearance of dull, uneven texture.
Dark marks: Azelaic acid can help improve the appearance of post-blemish marks and uneven skin tone and is often a useful option for deeper skin tones.
*Important: Do not use retinoids during pregnancy or if you are trying to conceive. If you are breastfeeding, speak to your GP, pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professional before using retinoids or other active skincare ingredients.
*If you have sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea or another skin condition, choose products carefully and introduce new actives gradually. Patch testing can also help you identify potential irritation.
Hydrating Serum (Optional)
A hydrating serum can add another layer of moisture to your evening routine. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and peptides can complement a routine focused on hydration and skin comfort.
Use the amount recommended by the individual product rather than assuming more will deliver better results. If you’re layering several products, allow each one to settle as directed.
Night Cream / Moisturiser
Finish with a moisturiser suited to your skin’s needs. You don’t necessarily need a separate night cream, but a richer formula can be useful if your skin feels dry or your barrier needs extra support.
Ceramide-rich moisturisers are particularly useful for dry or barrier-compromised skin, while oily skin may prefer to stick with a lightweight gel or gel-cream.
Shop Night Creams & Moisturisers
Quick Tips That Make a Difference
- Follow product instructions first. Thinnest-to-thickest is a useful general rule, but individual formulas may have specific directions.
- Introduce active ingredients gradually. Adding one new active at a time makes it easier to identify what your skin tolerates.
- Use the recommended amount. Check the individual product instructions rather than assuming a pea-sized amount works for every serum or treatment.
- Give your skin time to adjust. Retinoids and exfoliating acids can cause irritation when introduced too quickly.
- Deeper skin tones can use all of these steps too. Take particular care to avoid unnecessary irritation, as inflammation can contribute to the appearance of post-inflammatory dark marks.
- Keep it simple. Cleanser, moisturiser and SPF in the morning is a perfectly good starting routine. Add optional steps when there’s a clear reason for them.
Ready to Build Your Routine?
Start with the basics, choose products around your skin’s needs and add targeted treatments gradually. The best routine is one you can use consistently and comfortably.
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