Whether you're a minimalist when it comes to your skincare routine or you love a good multi-step ritual (we do too!), knowing what order to apply your skincare products to reap the best results can be confusing. This especially rings true when you have an arsenal of lotions and potions in your beauty cabinet.
Well, no more guessing, friends. We speed-dialed a dermatologist to break down the ideal step-by-step routine for us. From makeup remover to moisturizer, here's the right order to apply your skincare products in five easy steps.
The correct order to apply your skincare products
Step 1: Makeup remover
The first step to any skincare routine is to remove any makeup you have on your face, so you have a fresh, blank canvas. Ideally, opt for a makeup remover that does more than remove makeup to get the most bang for your skincare.
Rael Beauty's Calming Cica Cleansing Water, for example, will remove all makeup and impurities without stripping your skin. And, thanks to the hyaluronic acid complex that penetrates deep layers of the skin and the vitamin-rich Centella Asiatica extract it contains, the cleansing water will leave your skin feeling mega moisturized and radiant.
Step 2: Cleanser
Next up is a cleanser. Board-certified dermatologist Jennifer Herrmann, MD, recommends washing your face twice a day, in the morning and at night. The night time wash is the most important, she adds, since your skin will have accumulated sweat, makeup, and pollution throughout the day, which can damage the skin. Be sure to wash gently in circular motions.
The type of cleanser you use is also important; a gentle one is best. Rael Beauty's new Oil to Foam Cleanser is a great way to go. It contains olive oil that helps plump, soften, and hydrate the skin. Plus, it also features Chinaberry extract that's full of antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals, protect the skin from sun damage, and prevent signs of aging.
Step 3: Toner
Once your skin is all squeaky clean, it's time to apply your toner. The key thing with using toner, Dr. Herrmann says, is to choose one that's not too drying or abrasive. "Stripping the skin of too much oil can paradoxically induce greater oil production," she says. Also, a little goes a long way, so you don't need a ton of product to get the job done.
Rael Beauty's Balancing Toner, for instance, won't dry out your skin and it's gentle enough to use in your daily skincare routine. The H3O hyaluronic acid complex it contains prepares the surface of the skin, which helps boost the effectiveness of the skincare products you apply next.
Step 4: Serum
Now your skin is ready for serum. Dr. Herrmann says the best serums are thin, lightweight, and absorb quickly into the skin. Apply a thin coat of it with your hands and pat it gently under your eyes.
The ingredients in the serum, of course, are also an essential thing to note. Dr. Herrmann recommends using one that is chock-full with active ingredients that are good for your skin.
Case in point: the Good Chemistry Advanced Antioxidant Serum. It stars fullerene, an antioxidant that is out of this world, literally. Scientists discovered it in outer space. Fullerene is 172x stronger than vitamin C and protects the skin against sunlight, air pollution, and stress.
For an extra dose of hydration, pair the Good Chemistry Serum with our innovative Moisture Melt Snowball, which is a freeze-dried hyaluronic acid concentrate that melts when mixed with the serum and provides 24 hours of moisturization.
Step 5: Moisturizer
And last but not least, it's time to apply moisturizer to lock in all the goodness you applied to your skin. Dr. Herrmann recommends using a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid, especially if you struggle with acne.
Rael Beauty's Nourishing Gel Cream, for example, contains fullerene, H3O hyaluronic acid complex, and vitamin-rich sunflower seed oil. Together, the potent ingredients moisturize and soften the skin, neutralize free radicals, and help diminish the appearance of wrinkles leaving your skin dewy and radiant without feeling heavy or greasy.
And there you have it: a fool-proof step-by-step skincare routine that works.