How Do You Layer Skin Care Products?

Are you the type of person who applies your skin care products on a whim, in no particular order? If so, it might be a good time to re-think your skin care routine. Believe it or not to get the most out of your products, there is a proper order to apply skin care products, from facial cleanser, to serum, to moisturiser, to eye cream. If you’re wondering whether moisturiser comes before or after serum, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s our ultimate guide to your skin care routine order.

What is the right skincare routine order?

We mentioned that dermatologists recommend pure retinol as opposed to derivatives and complexes, but you may be curious as to why. “Purity is important for retinol efficacy in skin, as pure retinol works faster. Always look for a high concentration of pure retinol versus retinol derivatives and complexes that take longer to work,” says Dr. Rocio Rivera, PhD, and head of scientific communications for L’Oréal Paris.

Step 1: Facial Cleanser

Facial cleanser should always be the first step in your skin care routine. From clay facial cleansers for oily and combination skin types, to a cleansing milk for dry or mature skin, choose the cleanser that best suits your skin type. For those with normal to oily skin types, we love the Revitalift Classic Milky Cleansing Foam, with a rich milky cream texture that gently lathers to gently cleanse skin. Those with dry skin types should look for hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, like in the Revitalift Filler HA Cleanser. 

For oily and acne prone skin types look for the oil absorbing properties of clay. Pure Clay Eucalyptus Purifying Cream Face Wash and Pure Clay Red Algae Exfoliating Face Scrub both combine three pure clays to absorb impurities and oil from your skin, without over-drying it. (Keen to check out a clay mask too? Discover which is right for you with our guide, What's the Best Clay Mask for Your Skin Type?)

Step 2: Toner

Applying toner to your face may not seem like an important step in your skin care routine order, but we promise it’s worth it. Even after using a facial cleanser, residual dirt and grim may still remain on the surface of your skin. Use the Age Perfect Classic Face Toner to cleanse and remove impurities, brighten and replenish skin, and protect against moisture loss. This toner formula is enriched with both magnesium and vitamin to help re-energise your skin.

Step 3: Facial Serum

One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to the order of skin care products is, “Serum vs. Moisturiser—which comes first?” As long as you’re sticking to our golden rule of application (thin first, followed by thick), this answer is easy—your facial serum always goes first. Apply the Revitalift Filler 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum onto clean skin on your face, neck and jawline, gently smoothing into your skin until it’s thoroughly absorbed. This serum is lightweight yet delivers an intensive boost in hydration to help replump skin and reduce appearance of wrinkles with continued use. That’s a yes from us!

For our ultimate in anti-ageing skincare, look for a facial serum with retinol, which fights the visible signs of ageing, and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Remember – our Revitalift Laser Retinol Serum and our pure hyaluronic acid serum can be layered for the best of both worlds. Apply the Revitalift Filler 1.5% Serum first.

Tip: If your skin is still damp from cleansing or toning, no worries. The water on your skin can actually assist with locking in moisture. It’s perfectly okay to apply your serum before your complexion is fully dry.

Step 4: Moisturiser

Now you’ve got it—after serum, it’s time to apply moisturiser. Your moisturiser of choice is completely up to you, whether you have a preference for lightweight lotions or richer creams. We recommend sticking with a moisturiser formulated for your skin type, ranging from dry to sensitive. Our range of moisturisers and day creams contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, with some products also offering SPF protection. For a daily moisturiser that delivers a boost of hydration with hyaluronic acid, we love the Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Acid Revolumising Day Cream for any skin type. For added protection with your daily hydration, choose the Revitalift Laser X3 SPF15 Day Cream.

Regardless of the one you choose, using a daily moisturiser that suit your needs will help improve skin smoothness, radiance and provide comfort and hydration. Not sure which formula is right for you? Our experts make it simple with our guide to finding the best moisturiser to suit your skin type.

Step 5: Eye Cream

Let’s not forget about the eyes! The delicate skin around your eyes also deserves some attention as part of your morning and night skincare routine order. Grab your favourite eye cream, serum or treatment (may we suggest the Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Acid Replumping Eye Cream) and apply around the eyes, massaging gently until fully absorbed. Avoid contact with  the eyes.

Step 6: Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen or Night Cream

This final step will depend entirely on the time of day. As part of your morning or daytime skin care routine, sunscreen should always be the final step—even during the cooler winter months. For added protection we recommend incorporating a daily moisturiser that includes an SPF, we love Revitalift Laser X3 SPF15 Day Cream which works to visibly correct wrinkles, re-densify skin, and even your complexion.

If you’re about to head to bed, apply a nourishing night cream to suit your skin’s needs. The Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Acid Replumping Night Cream is a great nightly moisturiser for hydrating and re-plumping the skin for a smoother appearance. If your primary skin concerns are anti-ageing, such as addressing wrinkles or fine lines, opt for the Age Perfect Cell Renewal Regenerating Night Cream. This cream is enriched with black truffle and kombucha to stimulate skin cell renewal while you sleep, so you wake up with radiant, youthful-looking skin. As the final step in your skin care order, apply your night cream to your face, neck and chest. At last, it’s time for some beauty sleep!

Skin care routines can be tricky at times, but by following the six steps above, you will perfect your skin routine order, get the most of our of your skin care products, and have beautiful, glowing skin to show for it. Looking for tailored advice for your skin type? Our experts have put together foolproof skin care routines for dry, oily and combination skin.