How to order a skin care routine
To help cultivate healthy-looking skin.
Whether someone’s already taking care of their skin or looking to start with a clean slate, it can be helpful to establish a regular skin care routine. No matter the reason, having a consistent routine can help support a healthy-looking, glowing skin tone. That's why we've got a step-by-step guide on the recommended order for using skin care products and which ones may work best.
But with so many products available and various steps to follow, it can be challenging to know where to begin. Luckily there are a wide array of drugstore skin care products to choose from that can be part of that routine and help save money.
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The importance of a skin care routine
Before we dive into the specifics, let's talk about why having a basic skin care routine is important. The skin is the body's largest organ and is exposed to various environmental factors, like ultraviolet (UV) rays, pollution and free radicals.1, 2, 3, 4 Not to mention, we all deal with the natural process of aging and hormonal changes. All of these factors can lead to dull, dry and damaged skin. However, following a skin care routine helps protect skin and limit the signs of aging.5
The order to apply skin care products in
Now that we've established the importance of a skin care routine, let's get into the order.
The routine order to apply skin care products can affect how well the skin absorbs them and help maximize their effectiveness.
Always check with a health care provider about which skin care products they recommend based on an individual person's needs. Not everyone needs every product listed below.
Here’s a recommended order to apply skin care products:6
- Limpiador
- Tónico
- Serums and spot treatments
- Eye cream
- Hidratante
- Protector solar
1. Cleanser
First things first: Cleansing helps remove dirt, dead skin cells, oil and makeup from the skin. Various types of cleansers are available, including cream, foaming, gel and oil-based formulas. Choosing the right cleanser depends on skin conditions, type and concerns.
For instance, people with oily skin may prefer a foaming cleanser that can help remove excess oil, like CeraVe’s foaming facial cleanser for normal to oily skin. Those with dry skin may prefer a cream or oil-based cleanser that can help hydrate skin, such as La Roche-Posay hydrating gentle cleanser.
To properly cleanse, start by wetting the face with lukewarm water. Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto the skin in circular motions. Be sure to avoid harsh scrubbing, because this can cause damage. Rinse off the cleanser with water and pat the face dry with a clean towel.7
2. Toner
After cleansing, toners can help remove any remaining dirt or oil from skin. Various types of toners are available, including hydrating, exfoliating and astringent toners.
People with oily skin may prefer an astringent toner that can help control oil, such as Neutrogena Clear Pore oil-eliminating astringent. Those with dry skin may prefer a hydrating toner that can help restore the protective skin barrier and lock in moisture, such as CeraVe hydrating toner.
To apply toner, either use a cotton pad or fingers to gently apply the toner over the face, avoiding the eye areas.
3. Serums and spot treatments
Third, consider applying serums or spot treatments. These products are designed to target specific skin concerns such as acne breakouts, fine lines and dark spots.
When choosing a serum or spot treatment, it's essential to consider skin type and concerns.
For instance, people with acne-prone skin may prefer an acne spot treatment with key ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, like Acne Control Gel from CeraVe. For more tips for acne-prone skin, here are five skin care methods that can help reduce adult acne.
If someone has dark spots, they may prefer a vitamin C serum, such as Vichy Liftactiv vitamin C face serum.
To apply these products, use a small amount and gently massage it into the skin. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product label for best results.
4. Eye cream
For the next step, consider applying an crema para ojos. This step is optional but offers a lot of benefits for sensitive skin around the eye.
To help alleviate the appearance of wrinkles, consider an eye cream with retinol like the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ eye cream. Or for brightness, try the Vichy Mineral 89 Eyes hyaluronic acid eye gel cream instead.
Since the skin under the eye is particularly sensitive, eye creams should be applied with a light touch. That's why it's often recommended to apply eye cream by gently tapping it into skin with the ring finger.8
5. Moisturizer
Next, moisturizers help hydrate and protect skin from excess dryness. Moisturizers are especially important in a skin care routine when the weather gets colder, which can lead to dry skin.9
When choosing a moisturizer, a person should look for a product that suits their skin type and provides hydration without clogging their pores. For instance, if they have dry skin, ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides can be helpful.10 Esta daily facial moisturizer from Vanicream is a great option that contains all three. If they have oily skin, they may prefer a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer like Toleriane double repair matte moisturizer from La Roche-Posay.11
To apply moisturizer, use a small amount and gently massage it into the skin in circular motions. Be sure to cover the entire face and neck.
6. Sunscreen (morning only)
The last step in a skin care routine should always be protector solar. Along with other sun-protection measures, sunscreen helps protect skin from the harmful effects of UV rays.
When choosing a sunscreen, look for a broad-spectrum formula that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Consider choosing a formula with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Anthelios 50 Mineral face sunscreen from La Roche-Posay provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection with a matte finish.
Be sure to apply sunscreen to the face, neck and any other exposed areas of the body, and reapply as directed by the product.
Skin care routine order for different skin types
Like any approach to hair or skin care, not every routine works for every person the same way. Personalizing a skin care routine for each individual's unique needs may help for different skin types. Remember to use all products as directed.
For dry skin
Moisturizer can be applied while the skin is still damp to enhance moisture retention, and creams and ointments add more moisture to skin than lotions.12
For oily skin
An important thing to remember for oily skin types is to look for cleansers labeled “oil-free” and “noncomedogenic” and to avoid oil- and alcohol-based cleansers.13 For moisturizers, consider gel-based options.14
For combination skin
Having combination skin involves navigating through considerations for both oily and dry skin types. Use gentle cleansers and only apply moisturizer to dry areas.15
Common skin care mistakes to avoid
Missteps can easily happen, especially when starting a new skin care routine. This can happen when experimenting with different products, which can worsen existing skin problems. But don't worry, we have a list of the most common skin care mistakes to help avoid them.16
- Don't make the mistake of only focusing skin care on the face and not the rest of the body. Consider applying routine skin care to the neck and upper chest to keep them looking vibrant.
- Neglecting to remove makeup before bed can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Desmaquilladores can help, even with tough-to-remove makeup, like waterproof mascara.
- Not washing the face thoroughly can lead to a buildup of bacteria, dirt and oil.
- Picking at or popping pimples can cause scarring and can spread bacteria on the skin. Instead, try this Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch to cover and protect the breakout.
- Skin care products containing harsh ingredients like alcohol, sulfates or fragrances can cause irritation and dryness. Look for something gentle enough for everyday use.
- Skipping the application of sunscreen and other sun protection measures can lead to damage from the harmful effects of UV rays.
- Touching the face introduces dirt and bacteria, leading to breakouts and other skin issues.
- Using hot water to wash the face can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause dryness. Use lukewarm water instead.
Get started with a personalized skin care routine today
Following a proper skin care routine order can help protect and nourish the skin. People can also choose to opt for a natural skin care routine for more eco-friendly choices. The order the skin care products are applied is crucial because it can affect how well the skin absorbs them. To properly order a skin care routine, consider starting with a cleanser followed by a toner then a serum. Next, do spot treatments and apply eye cream then moisturizer. Finish with sunscreen. And remember, not all steps are needed for everyone.
Remember to choose skin care products suitable for the skin type and the person's concerns, and always apply sunscreen as the last step in a morning or daytime routine. These steps can help ensure that skin is healthy-looking, radiant and protected.
Taking care of skin regularly can help keep it looking healthy for years to come.17 The first step to glowing skin is prioritizing the things that maintain its barrier and brightness. Once someone has their daily routine down, following the routine in the correct order every day will be a breeze. Be sure to speak with a health care provider before starting or stopping any type of treatment.
Preguntas frecuentes
Want to keep it simple? A basic skin care routine typically involves three steps: cleansing, moisturizing and applying sunscreen. Cleansing removes dirt, oil and impurities from the skin; moisturizing helps keep the skin hydrated and soft; and sunscreen helps protect the skin from the sun's harmful UV rays.
It depends on the skin type and the product a person is using. Over-exfoliation can damage the skin's protective barrier and cause irritation, so it's important to be gentle and not overdo it. Learn more about over-exfoliating skin.
Yes, applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy or overcast days, is recommended. UV rays can penetrate through clouds and cause damage to the skin, so it's important to apply sunscreen and other sun protection measures to help keep skin protected.
If someone has sensitive skin, it's important to use gentle, fragrance-free products and avoid harsh ingredients like alcohol and sulfates. Patch test new products before using them and consult a dermatologist with any persistent skin concerns.
Yes, the same products can be used for both morning and evening routines if they suit the skin type and address a person's specific concerns. However, some people prefer to use lighter products in the morning and heavier ones at night to avoid feeling greasy during the day.
This work contains AI-generated content.
Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.
