Woman's hands applying skincare products

The Skincare Products Schedule: When to Apply and Why

Often when buying skincare products, we think too much about what they do individually, instead of what they do when used in conjunction with one another.

If you don’t use products in the right order, or use two that shouldn’t go together, you can reduce your routines effectiveness. Worse still, you can aggravate your skin so badly that you end up with issues you didn’t even have before!

From layering the essentials to understanding when to add in additional treatments, it’s important to know how to correctly apply all of your skincare products to visibly note the benefits promised, achieve the best results and avoid breakouts or other possible complications.

Although the general consensus is to judge by consistency (go from thinnest to thickest, aka liquid to cream), the professional advisement is to go from water based to oil based. Remembering everyone’s skincare routine is different and all variations need to be considered.

So, if you want to make sure you’ve been doing it right, or at least know for next time, bookmark this blog and read on for our full guide… 

Morning Routine

The morning routine is all about prevention and protection from what lies ahead in the day, such as the sun, pollution and environmental climate (indoors/outdoors, dry/humid, wind/rain).

Obviously, not everyone will need or want to have an 7-step skincare schedule as listed below, so you can pick and choose what works best for you based on past experiences and/or what you’re hoping to achieve. Following the order is what is most important:

  1. Cleanser
  2. Toner (not necessary, just for those that love this step)
  3. Treatment Serum (based on main skin concern)
  4. Spot treatment (for acne prone)
  5. Moisturiser
  6. Sunscreen (daytime step)
  7. Make-up

The priority products are cleansers to remove grime and residue that’s built up overnight, a good moisturiser to lock in hydration, and sunscreen to ward off UV damage.

First, apply to dry skin a cream or oil-based cleanser. Do this in circular motions, before adding a touch of water. Continue massaging to lift make-up SPF and pollutants. Remove with face cloth, do not pat the skin dry. Unless your skin is prone to dryness or dehydration, follow up with a treatment priming gel to prep your face for other skincare products.

If you need to brighten your skin or minimise the signs of ageing, a serum is your next step, or if blemishes are a bugbear, use something more targeted like a spot treatment. Now, lock everything in with a trusty moisturiser, and over that, a sunscreen (a light SPF15 for daily use, or an SPF30 or 50 if you’re planning to be outside for longer periods of time, like a day full of errands or being in the car with minimal UV filtering).

For extra soft and supple skin, add in your favourite facial oil, then apply as little or as much make-up as you wish.

Woman looking at her face in the mirror as she applies skincare products

Afternoon / Early Evening Routine

There’s really no afternoon or daytime routine set in stone, so think of it more as a chance to top up skincare products that may have worn off or need reinforcing later in the day.

  1. Top up moisturizer
  2. Face Mist treatment
  3. Reapply sunscreen

If you have more out & about time lined up for the day, don’t hesitate to reapply your moisturiser to fight epidermic fatigue, and finish it off with another layer of sunscreen.

A refreshing treatment spray or spritz is also a great post workout, mid-flight or on the go vitamin reactivation if your face is feeling tight and/or dry. 

Night-time Routine

Because your skin naturally repairs itself while you sleep, your night-time routine should be all about restoration and rest. This is also a good time to use any skincare products that are sunlight sensitive, such as exfoliants or peels.

  1. Makeup remover
  2. Cleanser
  3. Exfoliator
  4. Face mask
  5. Eye cream
  6. Treatment serum; gel, cream or oil
  7. Treatment hydrator

The first thing to do at the end of a long day is to remove your makeup, excess oils and environmental pollution/debris that is resting on your skin from a busy day. Follow this up with your cleanser, and compliment with an exfoliation step 2-3 times per week (we recommend our AHA, volcanic or macadamia varieties).

Approx. once a week, you can change things up a bit and use a face mask, with formulation bases like; a balm, clay or peel on-and-off sheet masks to tame inflammation and irritation. After removal of mask with a face cloth, it is now time to seal in vitamins, botanicals and other hydrating ingredients with a serum or booster product to treat seriously stubborn issues. Once absorbed, chase it up with a nourishing night cream.

If you want to go the extra mile for more mature or prematurely aged skin concerns, prior to a night cream application apply an anti-ageing eye treatment.

Older woman in pjs in front of the mirror applying face cream

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