We tell you step by step the order in which you should apply your products so that they really work.
One of the questions our clients ask us most is when to apply each product. What comes first, the serum or the toner? Or wait, was that the facial oil? Does that go before or after the moisturizer? What about exfoliants?
Whether you have three or seven steps—you don't have to use everything every day—it's essential to know the order in which to apply each product in your beauty routine to achieve (maximum) benefits. The general rule is to apply the lightest product first and the heaviest last, since the smallest molecularly active products can't penetrate the larger ones.
The general rule is to apply the lightest first and the heaviest last.
We'll never tire of saying it. Cleansing is the first and most important step in your beauty routine. Repeat it in the morning—in a lighter way—and twice as often at night. Your skin will thank you.
But what is double cleansing? At night, using just one cleanser is like showering with your clothes on. First, we need to get rid of that first layer of dirt from makeup, sunscreen, and other residue that accumulates on our skin throughout the day. Remember, to dissolve such residue without irritating our skin, you need to use a cleansing oil or balm, such asAgent Nateur holi (Cleanse) or Twelve. Clementine Cleanse Balm .
Follow with your usual cleanser to reach deeper layers of the dermis, unclog pores, and achieve a fresh, healthy complexion—one of our favorites is Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser . Then it'll be ready and receptive to whatever you apply next.
With exfoliation we make the skin "breathe" better.
The skin naturally renews itself every 28 days, but very often, dead cells aren't completely removed. This prevents the skin from adequately oxygenating itself and absorbing moisture and nutrients. In short, exfoliation helps the skin breathe better. It's not recommended to do this more than once or twice a week.
Despite its beneficial side, don't forget to take some precautions before exfoliating. If you have dry or sensitive skin, avoid abrasive products and choose a formula specifically created for this skin type, such as Susanne Kaufmann Enzyme Peel or Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive .
Unlike creams or serums, masks maintain prolonged contact with the skin, allowing their ingredients to penetrate deeper. These formulas act as small bursts of concentrated active ingredients and can give your complexion an instant boost. You can apply them once or twice a week to achieve results or use them as rescue treatments for skin emergencies. The best time to apply them? After cleansing and exfoliating, when your skin is most receptive. If you're looking for extra hydration, check out the formula. Aesop Blue Chamomille Hydrating Masque ; and as a purifying treatment, May Lindstrom The Problem Solver will be your best ally.
In the past, toners were often alcohol-based liquids that irritated and dried out the skin. Nowadays, they're packed with hydrating ingredients or chemical exfoliants that help treat breakouts, blemishes, or lack of radiance. They also restore the skin's pH, preparing the face so that both your serums and creams are better absorbed.
The skin around the eyes is the most prone to dryness and the first to show signs of premature aging.
The skin under the eyes is the most delicate—five times thinner than the rest of the face—the most prone to dryness, and the first to show signs of fatigue or aging.
It's usually the most expensive product in a beauty routine due to the amount of active ingredients per ml, and there's a lot of work to be done in that area. So make sure you apply it in the right order. Massage an amount equivalent to a grain of rice into the area that sunglasses would cover. These formulas not only treat wrinkles, they also boost circulation, reduce vein inflammation, and prevent fluid and fat buildup. bags and baggy eyes .
Tip: Apply the excess to your temples, brow, eyelids, and lip contour.
Serums reach the deepest layers of the epidermis, but at the same time, they tend to evaporate. We should seal it in with a cream or oil.
If we had to invest in just one product, we'd definitely go for a powerful serum. It's an essential step in any beauty routine as it's your skin's greatest source of active ingredients. In fact, they're the product responsible for treating specific problems, from the first signs of aging to deep wrinkles and dark spots. Think of serum as a personalized tool that takes care of your skin.
There are two more things you should know: water-based formulas like serums should be applied to the skin before oil-based formulas like creams (remember: oil penetrates everything, but not everything penetrates oil).
Due to their low molecular weight, serums reach the deepest layers of the epidermis, but at the same time, they tend to evaporate from the skin's surface. Therefore, we should seal in their benefits with a cream or oil. Wait 20 seconds to 1 minute before applying the next product.
These formulas are key to preventing water loss from the skin and sealing in the action of the serums you apply. It's a step you can't skip. If you include an oil in your routine, it should always be applied last. Find the one that best suits your skin type and lifestyle. here .
Consider sunscreen as an anti-aging product.
8. Sunscreen
And last but not least: sunscreen. Consider it an anti-aging product. UVA rays penetrate the skin, destroying its elasticity and causing premature aging. Choose a formula with a physical filter like Kypris Pot of Shade Heliotropic , or mineral as Sepai City Shield SPF 50 and apply it at the end of your day routine.