After cleansing, apply your toner. You can use your fingertips or a reusable cotton round—whichever you prefer. Next, apply your leave-on AHA or BHA exfoliant or exfoliating toner. There's no need to rinse and no need to wait before moving on to your next step.
The recommended order for using toner and moisturizer on your face after washing it is to first apply toner , followed by moisturizer . This is because toner helps to balance the pH level of your skin and remove any remaining impurities , preparing it for better absorption of the moisturizer .
It is recommended to use a moisturizer after you wash your face since washing leaves your face very raw, vulnerable and prone to clogging.
As a general rule, your skincare routine should follow this order: cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, and lastly, eye cream. Some people also double cleanse, starting with an oil based cleanser.
Face washes and face cleansers are both effective when it comes to cleaning the face. However, they serve different purposes and cleanse the skin differently. Face washes are deep cleansing and better suited for oily, combination and acne-prone skin whereas face cleansers are good for dry, sensitive and mature skin.
Step 4: Moisturising
However, different skin types may need a different type of moisturiser. For instance, for oily skin, avoid products containing oils, and for very dry skin, a thicker cream may be more suitable than a lotion. Whatever you choose, this should be applied after your cleanser, toner, and serum.
Layer From Lightest To Heaviest Formulas
As a general rule of thumb, apply your products in this order: cleanser, toner/essence, treatment/mask, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, oil, SPF. Sunscreen always goes last, and the only thing that you should layer over sunscreen is powder, concealer, or foundation.”
Toners will help to balance and hydrate the skin, but they aren't concentrated enough to provide benefits beyond the surface. They help to refresh and hydrate the top layer of your skin, but they aren't delivering any benefits that meaningfully change your skin's health from within. Serums are the exact opposite.
It's important to apply moisturizer ASAP after cleansing your face - we're talking about within a minute to get optimal results. Once you dry off your skin after cleansing, it starts to dehydrate if there's no protective layer of moisturizer to lock hydration in place.
Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply cleanser. Resist the temptation to scrub your skin because scrubbing irritates the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel. Apply moisturizer if your skin is dry or itchy.
Apply a serum immediately after cleansing. This allows the active ingredients to penetrate deeply into the skin. Use a serum that targets your specific skin concerns.
It is suggested to apply hyaluronic first on clean, damp skin, followed by retinol for dry skin. The moisturising hyaluronic acid will create a barrier and reduce irritation. The correct order of these two products depends significantly on your skin type and the product formulation you are using.
“Double cleansing means cleansing your face twice, first with an oil-based product and then followed by a water-based cleanser,” explains Dr. Wu. The first step of using an oil-based cleanser is helpful when it comes to removing waterproof makeup and sunscreen.
Retinoids don't combine well with AHAs, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or vitamin C due to potential stability issues and skin sensitivities, and soap-based cleansers can also reduce vitamin C's skin benefits.
The Basic Skincare Routine
Each step is essential for healthy skin—cleansing removes dirt, oil, and makeup; toner removes any lingering impurities; moisturizer reinstates much-needed hydration back into the skin; and sun protection helps keep the skin well protected and less subjected to photoaging.
Is toner necessary? Toner is not an essential part of your skincare regime but something of an extra boost that can enhance and enrich your routine. For many skincare enthusiasts, it's a must!
Hydrate with a nourishing moisturizer: To achieve a glowing complexion, moisturizing is essential. Choose a hydrating moisturizer that suits your skin type and contains nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, or aloe vera. Apply it to your face and neck, massaging it gently until fully absorbed.
Still, to give your skin an extra boost of hydration, skin care experts recommend using a face cleanser and face wash one after the other to clean your skin completely without affecting the pH balance of your skin. And a face cleanser should be used before a face wash, not after.
A face toner is a liquid solution made to assist tightening pores, cleansing the skin's surface of dirt and excess oil, and restoring the pH balance of the skin. Depending on how it is made and what chemicals it contains, this liquid treatment may have moisturizing, soothing, or astringent properties.