Art & Culture

Is There a Correct Order to Apply Skincare Products?

Andrew Parker
Sep 05, 2021

Whether you have enjoyed applying skincare products on your face since you were a teenager or you just started learning about the benefits of taking care of your skin, the correct order to apply all your creams and serums can be a bit unclear to some people. If this is your case, we’re here to help.

The first step is the easiest: always start by washing your face. Use your favorite face soap or cleansing foam to rid your skin of impurities. After washing your face, you might want to exfoliate your skin – but remember this should only be done a couple of times a week. Next, finish cleansing your skin with your preferred face tonic or micellar water.

Young woman applying lip care

Getty Images / Westend61 / Westend61

Now that your pores have been cleansed, it’s time for the fun part: lotions, serums, and masks. Each skin type requires different products, but if you want to use more than one, remember to always apply the lightest products first and the thickest products last. That is, start by applying your lotions, then serums, masks, and moisturizers.

The last (yet most important) step of a good skincare routine is always sunscreen. Even in the winter and if your foundation has SPF, your skin needs real sunblock. Then, only after all these steps, your skin is ready for makeup.