December 22, 2024, 2:50 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
First cleanse, then cream – so far, so good. But when exactly do toner, serum, and eye cream come into play? STYLEBOOK explains the correct order for your skincare routine.
A skincare routine should be carried out in a specific order. Important and often forgotten: You should always leave some time between the individual steps. This is important so that the ingredients can penetrate the pores and take full effect. This is also known as skincare layering. Of course, this also depends on the skin type. As a rule, however, a basic sequence can be established. STYLEBOOK Expert and Cosmetic Scientist Ying has told us what this is.
Overview
Basic Rule of a Skincare Routine – Always Go from Liquid to Creamy
Skincare is very individual and must always be adapted to your own needs. Nevertheless, one important principle applies to the skincare routine: products are applied in a sequence from liquid to creamy. This means that very fluid, water-based products with light formulations (such as serums) should be applied first. This is followed by thicker products, such as oils, followed by firmer products, such as thick creams.
Step 1: Cleansing
Cleansing is always the first step in the skincare routine. After all, if you are applying active ingredients to your skin (e.g., lactic acid, vitamin C, or hyaluronic acid), it needs to be clean.
In the morning, gels, foams, or cleansing milks are ideal for cleansing – depending on your personal preference and skin needs. Many cleansing gels contain ingredients such as zinc or salicylic acid to reduce or prevent impurities. Foaming cleansers work in a similar way. A milk has a creamy texture and contains glycerine, for example. It provides dry skin with more moisture.
In the evening, cleansing is supplemented with an eye makeup remover. For the rest of the face, many women like to use an oil, especially if they have worn makeup or used sunscreen during the day. This is because oily textures reliably dissolve concealing foundations, waterproof mascara, and concealer. Follow up with a water-based cleanser.
Step 2: Toner
Toners are the regular number 2 in the skincare routine. They clarify your skin, prepare it for further skincare, and remove any remaining impurities before applying further products. The toner can be applied to the face using a cotton pad or clean hands in gentle, circular motions.
Step 3: Serum
Serums contain glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, or alpha arbutin, for example. These active ingredients address specific skin needs, for example they work against wrinkles, blemishes or brighten the skin. If several serums are used, it is, of course, important to ensure that they can be combined with each other. If so, always apply the lighter serum first. Salicylic acid serums, for example, are particularly light and consist of small molecules.
Step 4: Round off Your Skincare Routine with Day or Aftercare
If you use eye care in addition to your face cream, you should apply this after the serum. Only then should you apply the face cream suitable for your skin type, avoiding the eyes.
Whether you use a different (day) cream in the morning than in the evening is up to you, or more precisely, mainly a question of your skin’s needs. Day creams generally have a lighter texture and also often have built-in sun protection; night creams are usually richer.
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Step 5 (Only in the Morning): Sun Protection
Sunscreen should be applied at the very end of your skincare routine so that it can develop its full protective shield effect.
Now your skin is ready – you can start with your day makeup. Here, the very first step would be, as its name suggests, the primer. As for the rest of the face, every woman has her own personal preferences.