What is the right order to apply your skincare products?

As skincare experts, we can confidently say that using the right products plays a huge role in keeping your skin looking and feeling its best – but does it really matter what order you apply them in? After all, as long as you’re using them, isn’t that all that counts? Surprisingly, following the right application order does make a difference, ensuring proper absorption and helping the products work as effectively as possible. Let’s break the process down step-by-step to make sure you’re getting the most from your skincare!

Step 1. Cleanser

We recommend beginning both your morning and evening regimes with a cleanser. Designed to remove dirt, sweat and oil, beginning with a cleanser helps to prepare your skin to absorb the following products. It’s especially useful for people who wear makeup and experience issues like clogged pores or breakouts. In the evening, you can even use a cleanser to remove light makeup –  for heavier makeup, though, you may need to start your evening skincare regimen with a dedicated makeup remover before moving on to cleanser. It’s also a good idea to add in an exfoliator like salicylic acid once or twice a week to tackle dead skin cells and create a bright, even complexion.

When choosing a cleanser, it’s important to pick one that suits your specific skin type. For sensitive skin, avoid chemicals and fragrances that may cause irritation. Similarly, if your skin is dry, a gentle, alcohol-free cleanser will work best. We’re proud to offer a range of  ZO Skin Health products from renowned dermatologist Zein Obagi, including Gentle, Exfoliating and Hydrating cleanser options.

Step 2. Toner

Now, let’s make sure we’re really removing impurities with toner! For sensitive skin, look for a toner that’s fragrance-free and a little more gentle, like glycerin. For dry skin, you should prioritise hydration by choosing a toner that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. Finally, if you have more oily skin or experience acne, we recommend a non-comedogenic toner with ingredients like beta hydroxy acids. You can also find toners specially designed to soothe irritated, red skin. 

Step 3. Spot cream

If you experience acne, adding a spot cream to your daily skincare regimen can really help to keep your skin nourished and healthy. We recommend ZO Skin Health’s Acne Control cream, which contains 10% micronised benzoyl peroxide and helps to treat and prevent acne. Acne treatments work best when they’re close to the skin rather than being blocked by layers of other products, so applying them after toner is always a good idea. Make sure your acne treatment has properly dried before moving on, so later products don’t dilute the spot cream and lessen its effectiveness. 

Step 4. Serums

Next, serum. Applying serum early in your skincare regimen helps the formula to properly penetrate the skin and reach the deeper layers for maximum effect. If you’re trying to tackle skin issues like fine lines, dullness or hyperpigmentation, serums should be a staple of your routine, with many options available to address a range of concerns. Looking to even out your complexion and give tired skin a boost? A vitamin C serum can help! Conscious about sagging skin? Reach for ZO Skin Health’s lightweight Firming Serum, which utilises ZCORETM complex to enrich skin and create firmness. 

Step 5. Eye cream

When it comes to maintaining a good skin routine, eye cream can really make a difference. The area under your eyes is particularly delicate and vulnerable to signs of ageing, so using a high-quality eye cream can help to reduce dark circles and puffiness. Look for ingredients like Vitamin E and almond oil, which smooth the skin, provide antioxidant protection and help to reduce the appearance of dark circles. 

Step 6. Moisturiser

This step is crucial! Always remember to apply moisturiser in the morning and the evening. As with any product, keep your skin type in mind when choosing the right moisturiser. In general, look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides that can help to keep your skin plump, strong and hydrated. Handy tip – apply your moisturiser straight after toning, as having damp skin can really help to lock in hydration. At night, you can also swap out your usual moisturiser for a night cream to enable skin repair and rejuvenate and hydrate your skin as you sleep. 

Step 7.  SPF

Last but definitely not least, SPF! Whatever the weather, we always recommend applying SPF in the morning, topping it up throughout the day. We understand that when the overcast winter months roll around, you might not feel like you need SPF, but we can’t stress enough how important it is, helping to prevent premature ageing signs like wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation. You can even tailor your SPF choice to your skin tone. For example, for oily or combination skin, we swear by the Heliocare 360º Oil Free Gel SPF50, a light, mattifying gel ideal for protecting against UVA, Infrared-A and more! Always apply SPF as the final stage of your skincare routine, followed only by makeup like concealer and foundation. 

Those are the basics covered! It’s important to note that everyone’s skin is different, which means that a skin routine that helps one person may not be as effective for someone else. It’s all about figuring out what kind of attention your skin needs – and we can help! All of our clinicians at our local Blackburn clinic are experts in helping to transform skin, and will work with you to understand any concerns and goals you may have. We’re proud to carry groundbreaking luxury skin care ranges like ZO Skin Health and Heliocare 360°, as well as providing a variety of premium treatments tailored to your specific skin. 

If you’re ready to achieve the soft, glowing complexion you’ve always dreamed of, we’re here to help. Give us a call on 01254 297000 today, and a member of our friendly team will help you start your journey to brighter skin!