Do you know the correct order to layer skin care products? If you’re unsure whether you apply serum or moisturiser first or want to know whether Hyaluronic Acid goes on before or after Retinal, you've come to the right place.
In this post, we’ll show you how to layer face products as we guide you step-by-step through building a multi-layer skin care routine in the morning and at night, using our natural and organic beauty products for the face, neck and decolletage.
Here’s a summary of the steps to help you start layering your skin care products in the morning and evening.
How to layer skin care products in the morning
- Cleanser
- Eye cream or serum
- Face serum
- Moisturiser or tinted moisturiser
- SPF (if not using SPF make-up)
How to layer skin care products at night
- Cleanse
- Eye cream or serum
- Face serum (If using a Retinal or Retinol, do not use any other exfoliating products)
- Night cream or facial oil
You may have noticed that the way you layer skin care follows the same principles in the morning and at night. Cleanse, then apply your skin care in order of heaviness – serum, then moisturiser, then oil.
Need a bit more detail? Read on!
STAGE 1: SOOTHE & SMOOTH
First, it is important to thoroughly cleanse away dirt and dead skin cells. Apply your cleanser or face wash and rinse thoroughly. You may need to double cleanse if you are removing make-up. If you want to exfoliate, do it after cleansing. You should only use an exfoliator around twice a week.
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Scent Free Cleanser 150ml
This fragrance-free cleanser is a sensitive skin essential
£29.00
Now that your face is clean, it is the best time to apply your lightest, most quickly absorbed skin care layers, starting with your eye cream or eye serum.
Eye cream and eye serums will both soothe and hydrate the skin around the eyes. However, serums are usual more water-based, meaning they can sink deeper and are the best choice for targeting lines and wrinkles.
Both of these eye care products are applied in the same way and should be lightly tapped into the skin. It’s so much more effective than rubbing!
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Wait a few moments for your eye care product to absorb and then breeze onto step two, skin care!
STAGE 2: FIRM, PLUMP & HYDRATE
Unsure how to layer serum? Serum is your first skin care layer, followed by your moisturiser and finally, SPF.
Lighter than moisturiser, serum goes on before moisturiser because it sinks deeper.
This ability to absorb more deeply means serum is oh-so hydrating and the perfect product to plump and target wrinkles that tend to start deep below the skin’s surface.
Our instantly hydrating facial serums can be applied in both your morning and evening skin care routines. And you don’t need to use a separate serum for the face and neck; all our organic serums can be used on the face, neck and decolletage.
Wondering how to layer Retinal? Retinoids, like our Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum, should be applied at night only and should be applied before any creams or oils.
The beauty of our Retinal Booster Serum is that we’ve enriched it with an intensely hydrating infusion of Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera and a cushion of protective plant oils – so you get lots of layers in one.
Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum 30ml
Renew, protect and hydrate with this skin care revolution
£49.00
It's also worth knowing that you don’t have to apply the serum before moisturiser; you can wear either on its own. However, if you have mature skin or your skin is prone to dryness, you’ll love the ultra-hydrating feeling you get from this moisture-sandwiching step in your skin care routine.
STEP 3: MOISTURISE YOUR SKIN BARRIER
Wondering how to layer moisturisers in your skin care routine? Moisturisers soothe and nourish the upper layers of your skin and should be applied after serum.
Often rich in actives that strengthen your skin barrier, moisturiser (whether night cream or day cream) gives your skin the extra layer of hydrating support that skin relies on to stay healthy and soft.
Always apply moisturiser to clean skin, gently patting it in to encourage absorption.
Discover our top-selling moisturiser, which is ideal for those with sensitive skin:
Scent Free 24-Hour Cream 50ml
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£27.00
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STEP 4: FOUNDATION
Are you unsure whether SPF goes on before or after your make-up? Remove the worry sun damage or smudging your make-up by choosing a tinted moisturiser enriched with SPF.
Our tinted DD creams are perfect for those unsure about layering make-up and sunscreen because they combine SPF15 with flawless make-up coverage.
Rich in moisturising Squalane, Shea Butter and skin-smoothing Sea Fennel, our easy-to-apply tinted moisturisers come in a choice of two shades, medium or light, and give even coverage in an instant.
They can be applied directly after cleanser, but if you have dry skin or prefer to primer before make-up, mix a little facial oil with your favourite Green People serum and then apply your make-up.
Speaking of facial oil, if you’re wondering where it fits into your beauty routine, it's not just for priming!
Facial oils are not moisturisers but skin conditioners. Rich in nourishing plant oil, they glide into the skin and seal all the hydrating actives in your serum or moisturise the skin.
The perfect time to apply facial oil is just after your moisturiser. You can use facial oil in your routine day or night, and if you have dry skin, you’ll love how it helps keep your skin feeling silky soft for longer.
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Anti Ageing Facial Oil 30ml
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£31.00
STEP 5: PROTECT
Finally, SPF!
Is SPF always the last layer? Yes. Everyone needs to apply SPF daily, especially if using Retinol or Retinal the night before.
Choose SPF15 for medium protection on cloudy and overcast days then bump your protection up to high factor SPF30 when it’s warm or sunny.
Always applying your SPF as the very last layer of skin care, once all other products have been absorbed. Sunscreen is delicate stuff and if it combines with other skin care products, you may affect its performance.
The good news is you don’t have to wait long before applying sunscreen. If using serum followed by moisturiser without SPF, wait 30 seconds to a minute for these to absorb, and then apply your SPF.
Applying SPF last is also especially important when wearing mineral SPF as this works slightly differently than sunlight-absorbing chemical SPFs and needs to be right at the top to effectively reflect UV rays from the surface.
Here’s our top-selling facial sun cream. Great for all skin types, especially dry or sensitive skin, this non-greasy sunscreen is your perfect everyday essential.
Scent Free Facial Sun Cream - SPF30 50ml
Shield and hydrate with this facial SPF. Ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
£29.00
We hope you have found this guide to how to layer face care products helpful. To build the best natural and organic skin care routine for you, take our skin care finder quiz or call our friendly UK customer care team on 01403 740350.
Reviewed by:
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry. A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty. A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals
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