Does The Order You Apply Your Skincare Matter?

Quick answer. Yes. It really does. 

Long answer: 

Skincare is much like baking a cake: To get delicious results you need to follow the instructions, and follow them Just Right. 

When it comes to skincare, you might know the basics: Start with a cleanser, finish with a SPF. But the middle tends to be where things get murky as to what to do and when. So here’s your guide of how to order your products for the happiest, healthiest skin of your life.

Why Does The Order Of Skincare Matter

Skincare is a science. One that’s delightfully less scary than all the beakers, lab coats, and goggles you're probably imagining. But still: A science. That means the order of application will affect how ingredients work and deliver their very coveted benefits. 

General Rules Of Thumb

There’s a few laws of the skincare universe to follow when it comes to curating your skincare routine and finding the right spot for the right ingredient. 

First: Thinnest to thickest. This prevents heavier products from blocking the absorption of lighter ones. In action, that looks like: Cleanser, exfoliator, serum, oil, moisturiser, SPF.

But! Go-To, what do you do when the textures seem like much of a muchness ie. serums? Great question! The general rule here is to work from most active to least active ingredients. This gives those heavy-lifting, straight-talking active ingredients the best chance to work on your skin.* 

So, What Goes First:

Much Brighter Skin Or Much Plumper Skin?

Much Brighter Skin! It’s a smidgen more thin and technically more active. But we’d recommend only using Much Brighter Skin in the AM only and Much Plumper Skin in the AM and PM. 

Very Amazing Retinal Or Much Plumper Skin?

Very Amazing Retinal! It’s whole lot more active and needs to go on clean, dry skin. Go in with Much Plumper Skin after Very Amazing Retinal.

Very Amazing Retinal Or Much Brighter Skin?

Neither! These shouldn’t be used together. Use Much Brighter Skin in the AM; Very Amazing Retinal in the PM. 

Much Brighter Skin Or Clarifying Face Hero?

Much Brighter Skin! Since it's a lot more active and thinner than the dry-oil texture. However, Clarifying Face Hero does have skin brightening ingredients (vitamin F) so we’d say: Just use Clarifying Face Hero on its own.

Very Amazing Retinal Or Clarifying Face Hero?

Start with Very Amazing Retinal and then use Clarifying Face Hero—however, if you’re dealing with breakouts, we’d recommend putting down the retinal and focusing just on Clarifying Face Hero, both AM and PM.

Clarifying Face Hero Or Much Plumper Skin?

Clarifying Face Hero first and then follow up with Much Plumper Skin. 

Very Amazing Retinal Or An Exfoliator?

Neither! These shouldn’t be used together. Use on alternating nights. Only.

Very Amazing Retinal Or Face Hero?

Very Amazing Retinal! It needs to go on clean, dry skin. But a rare exception to the rule is using Face Hero before Very Amazing Retinal when you’re sandwiching. 

Much Brighter Skin Or Face Hero?

Much Brighter Skin! Since it's ‘active’ and thinner than the oil texture.

Clarifying Face Hero Or Face Hero?

Neither! We don’t recommend using these in the same routine.

Much Plumper Skin Or Face Hero?

Much Plumper Skin! Since it's ‘active’ and thinner than the oil texture.

Milk Or Cereal?

Cereal. Obviously.

*Some Common Ingredients Ranked Most Active To Least:

1. Vitamin A

2. AHAs/ BHAs

3. Vitamin C

4. Niacinamide

5. PHAs

6. Ceramides

7. Panthenol

8. Hyaluronic Acid / Glycerin