Serum Or Moisturizer: Which Should You Apply First?

April 05, 2024

The correct order in which you should apply your skincare is a topic that many people have questions about. Here is everything you need to know about the order in which you should apply skincare!

First up, cleansers.

This one may be obvious to some, but cleansers are the first skincare you should be applying to your skin to help prep the skin for the rest of your skincare application. Having a clean, freshly washed base to apply skincare is key to ensure the rest of your skincare absorbs into your skin properly. Gentle gel or foaming cleansers are popular because they are often suitable for different skin types, and a trusted cleanser to use is the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.

Second, toners.

The key tip for applying skincare after your cleanser, is to apply the skincare in order of most watery consistency to the least watery consistency. Considering this, toners are next. Toners are a liquid-formula type skincare that needs to be applied before any heavier skincare products so that it can fully absorb into the skin without resistance. Try the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner to help texture.

Next up, serums!

Now it's time to apply your serums! If you have multiple serums you want to apply, make sure that you check the ingredients to make sure that the serums can be applied with all your other skincare. For example, it is not recommended to use AHA/BHA ingredient skincare such as glycolic acid with retinol. If you just want some extra hydration, then check out L'Oréal Paris' Hyaluronic Acid Serum to plump skin, which can be combined with most other ingredients.

Finally, moisturizer.

The final step is to lock and seal in all the skincare you applied with a moisturizer. Moisturizers are great in making sure your skincare stays hydrated throughout the day, but they are also great in making sure your toners and serums are locked in. For this step, try out La Roche Posay's Double Repair Face Moisturizer for healthy skin.

SPF?

As a last tip, if you are wondering about AM skincare, SPF or sunscreen should be applied after everything else. IT Cosmetics Hello Sunshine Sunscreen has 50 SPF to protect you from the sun's rays, and will give you the protection that you need.