Let’s be honest — skincare can feel like a puzzle. You’ve got toners that look like serums, essences that feel like moisturisers, and serums that insist they should go first. So what’s the actual order to apply your skincare — and does it really make a difference?
Spoiler: yes. Think of your skincare routine like a recipe — the ingredients (aka your products) might be great on their own, but they only deliver that Michelin-star glow when layered in the right order.
Step 1: Cleanse (Twice If You Want Bonus Points)
If you wear makeup, SPF or just live in the real world, your skin collects a cocktail of buildup every day. Start with a balm or oil cleanser to melt away impurities, then follow with a gel or foam cleanser to lift off the residue.
K-Beauty Tip: The “double cleanse” was born in Korea for a reason — it’s gentle, thorough, and sets the stage for every product that follows.
Step 2: Tone (or Essence — or Both)
Toner isn’t the harsh astringent your mum used in the 2000s. The modern toner — or its glowier sibling, essence — preps your skin to better absorb everything else.
Pat, don’t rub. Think of this step as your skincare’s warm-up stretch.
Pretty Skin loves toners packed with hydrating humectants like hyaluronic acid, birch sap, and glycerin — they balance your skin and give that “freshly misted” feel.
Step 3: Serum
Here’s where the magic happens. Serums are your targeted treatments — the overachievers of skincare. Whether you’re tackling dullness, fine lines or pigmentation, this is your step to customise.
Pro tip: Layer thinnest to thickest. Water-based serums (like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid) go first, oil-based serums last.
Step 4: Eye Cream
Tiny jar, big impact. The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than anywhere else, so give it something soothing and rich. Gently tap it in with your ring finger — the one least likely to tug.
If your formula includes peptides or caffeine, even better. Those are the skincare world’s version of an oat latte and a pep talk.
Step 5: Moisturiser
Seal it all in. Your moisturiser locks in hydration and keeps the active ingredients working overtime. Morning or night, this is non-negotiable — your skin barrier will thank you.
If you’re using multiple creams (say, a light gel and a night cream), go light first, heavy second.
Step 6 (Morning Only): SPF
Repeat after us: SPF is non-negotiable. It’s the final and most important step of your morning routine — the skincare equivalent of locking your front door before you leave the house. Look for broad-spectrum SPF 30+ or higher, and make it the last thing you apply before makeup.
If you take one thing from this entire blog, let it be this: Sunscreen is the most effective anti-aging product you’ll ever own.
Step 6 (Night Only): Sleeping Mask or Treatment
Your skin repairs itself while you sleep — so night is the perfect time to bring in the big guns. A sleeping mask adds an extra layer of nourishment, while retinols or night serums do their best work after hours.
Pop one on, sleep like a baby, wake up with glass skin. Lazy girl beauty at its absolute finest.
The Pretty Skin Philosophy
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to skincare — but there is an order that makes everything work harder for you. We like to think of it as skincare choreography: every product has its moment, and when it’s applied in rhythm, the result is harmony (and glow).
So whether you’re a minimalist three-stepper or a maximalist layering queen, remember: it’s not about how many products you use. It’s about how you use them.
