The Correct Order For Skin Care Products

One of the most commonly asked questions in beauty is, ‘what is the correct order to apply skin care products?’

And the answer isn’t a simple one either, as we all have different routines and preferences when it comes to ingredient powers and product textures. So alas, one person's best serum can be entirely different to another's.

But, if there was one person able to offer clarity around the skin care conundrum, it’s author, Go-To founder and ex-beauty editor, Zoë Foster Blake.

Talking about a ‘simple morning skin care routine’ in particular, here’s Zoë’s take on where to start and end your skin care.

Step 1. Cleanse

Zoë caveated her IGTV video by saying her main objectives are to ‘treat, moisturise and protect”. And while there are some celebrities who swear by not washing their face in the morning, Zoë said she likes to cleanse “to get rid of all the stuff that’s accumulated overnight”. It’s what she calls an “optional step but probably a good one”, to allow your following skin care a better chance of “getting in there and doing its job”.

Zoë used: Go-To Properly Clean Foaming Wash, $31 at gotoskincare.com

bh recommends: Biologi Bc Refresh Cleanser

Step 2. Mist

The second and recurring step in Zoë’s routine is facial misting. She explained, “you’re going to see a fair bit of facial misting coming through today and the reason that we wet our skin, dry it off ,and immediately go in with a facial mist is because it’s going to help with product absorption.”

Zoë used: Mukti Rose Blossom Hydrating Mist, $54.95 at Adore Beauty

bh recommends: Oil Garden Rose Water

Step 3. Vitamin C

Next for Zoë is vitamin C, which she uses for brighter skin or “getting rid of those dark, uneven spots.” For application she said, “I always put it on first and push it into the skin and just let it sit there for a good 60 seconds.”

Zoë used: Tatcha Violet C Brightening Serum, $141 at MECCA

bh recommends: La Mav® Daily Vitamin-C Brightening Serum

Step 4. Hyaluronic acid

Another optional step, Zoë then applies a humectant – a skin care product that retains and preserves moisture – which in this case was a hyaluronic acid. “I do this because I’m in level four lockdown and I’m inside all day and my skin is dry.” She explained that it is different to oil, which is nourishment – this step is hydration.

Zoë used: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum, $199 at Adore Beauty

bh recommends: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Ageing Serum

Step 5. Face oil

For Zoë, the next step is facial oil but she said it “really depends on what you’re using” as to whether oil or moisturiser is applied first. “If you are the kind of person who uses a lightweight moisturiser, say like a water cream, jelly [or] lotion that is really lightweight and oil-free usually, then that would be the first step, followed by oil, because you want to finish on the thicker, more occlusive product.”

But because Zoë prepared to follow with a thick moisturiser that’s heavier than oil, she applied oil first. “To recap, whichever product is lighter, apply that first,” she summarised.

Zoë used: Go-To Face Hero, $45 at gotoskincare.com

bh recommends: Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil

Step 6. Moisturiser

The next step applied by Zoë was moisturiser, which she prefaced by saying she wouldn’t usually include this step, but did because her skin was very dry.

“Generally speaking I think most SPF’s are emollient and hydrating enough to do this step as well as the SPF protection, provided you have a serious SPF product – one that is made for sun protection.”

Zoë used: Go-To Very Useful Face Cream, $72 at gotoskincare.com

bh recommends: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Step 7. SPF

The no-brainer final step for a morning skin care routine is of course, SPF. Being inside all day due to lockdown, Zoë applied an SPF 15 to protect her in the event of sitting by windows or ‘going for a run’.

Zoë used: Go-To Zincredible, $45 at gotoskincare.com

bh recommends: Key-Sun Zinke Clear Zinke SPF 50+

Main image credit: @yenmakeup_

*This article has been updated since its original publication date.

How do you layer your skin care? Do you follow a similar routine to Zoë's?