the correct order to apply your skincare

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If you’re feeling lost on how to layer, thinnest to thickest is generally the best rule of thumb. For example, if you applied your serum (thinner) on top of your moisturizer (thicker), the serum and all its benefits wouldn’t be able to reach your skin. The correct order allows optimal absorption of each active ingredient. Remember, not all steps are required in your daily routine, but this is the best order when and if they are used. Always do what works for you! 

  1. Cleanser 
  2. Toner
  3. Serum
  4. Eye cream
  5. Retinol (PM only)
  6. Moisturizer 
  7. SPF (AM only)

Cleanser

Cleansing is the first part of any skincare routine. Ensuring that your skin is free of makeup and excess oils will help you avoid unnecessary breakouts and sensitivity, while prepping skin ready for the rest of your routine. For a gentle cleanse for dry skin to nourish without stripping natural moisture, we recommend oil to milk cleanser. For more oily or blemish prone skin, we recommend our clarifying face wash AHA jelly cleanser. 

Toner 

Toning is an essential part of any skincare routine because it helps balance your skin’s pH (which can easily be disturbed makeup removers, or harsh surfactants) and helps eliminate any dirt, makeup, or grime left over from your initial cleanse. To soothe and hydrate between your cleanser and your serum, we recommend spritzing rosewater toner — bonus, it can be used on your roots to keep your scalp hydrated and refreshed between hair wash days, too! 

Retinol 

PM only! If you opt to use retinol as part of your nighttime routine, sandwich it between your hydrating serum and moisturizer for best results.  If you're new to retinol, we’d recommend checking out the beginner retinol gel, 0.1%, which includes a lower % of our Tri-Retinoid Comfort Complex™. For a stronger option, our advanced retinol gel, 0.5%. Both formulas deliver three types of retinoids at different speeds and are buffered with aloe and cica to prevent excessive dryness and increase comfort.

Serum

Serums, which are generally lightweight and almost water-like, are formulated to provide your skin with a highly-concentrated boost of hydration, antioxidants, or nutrients. Applying your serum immediately after toner helps it sink deeper because your skin stays damp.

For universal hydration for all skin types, opt for ceramide barrier serum. If you’re breakout-prone, postbiotic acne serum uses 1.5% salicylic acid to unclog pores. 

Eye cream

This step helps reduce the look of fine lines, dark circles, and undereye puffiness by hydrating and nourishing the delicate skin around your eyes. Try our peptide fine line eye gel in the morning to smooth and hydrate and our revitalizing eye cream at night to moisturize, depuff, and soothe. 

Moisturizer

Your moisturizer is the layer that locks in all that hydration from your previous steps. A moisturizer like resurrection polypeptide cream also works to lessen the appearance of fine lines while plumping and improving skin elasticity. For those who tend to be more oily or have combo or blemish-prone skin (or anyone craving lightweight hydration!) electrolyte water cream is a great option! It’s a lightweight moisturizer that provides breathable hydration, calms stressed skin, and revitalizes a dull complexion. This cream leaves your skin soft, plump, and refreshed, with an electrolyte blend that helps balance hydration, calm irritated skin, and control shine. 

SPF 

A good sunscreen will sit on top of your skin, shielding it from harmful UVA or UVB rays that might damage the skin. Sunscreen helps keep dark spots from getting darker, and helps defend your skin against environmental stressors. We recommend daily SPF, a mineral-based sunscreen with a matte, non-greasy finish. 
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