Beautiful skin requires commitment, not a miracle. A good skincare routine is the secret to flawless skin and beautiful makeup.

The skin care world can be a bit overwhelming. While it’s fun to have all the bright coloured, glittery and pretty packaged skin care products to create a picture-perfect look, it is hard to know for sure that you are putting the right products onto your skin and that they are working to create glowing skin.

A healthy skincare regimen should vary from morning to evening routine. In the morning the focus should be on protector products to protect your skin from pollution, sun, and the elements that you will inevitably be exposed to during the day. So leave the treatment products and masks for your nighttime routine. In the evening you need to switch gears and apply products offering regenerating ingredients. Your skin naturally repairs itself at night so your nighttime routine should be about treatment and giving your skin what it needs by applying actives, not protectors.

Sequence matters, here’s why:

The most important thing about your skin care order is absorption, applying your beauty products in the correct order ensures that your skin receives the full benefits of each of the active ingredients of the products you use and that you see the best results from your skin care regimen.

So which product goes on top of what, you ask? A general rule of thumb is to apply your beauty products with the thinnest consistency first, ending with the thickest consistency or from liquids to creams regardless of your skin type and how many products you are using. In short think thin-to-thick but also be mindful of using products first that contain ingredients that are most important to penetrate the skin such as antioxidants in serums.

Remember to always start with a cleanser, this will prime your skin in order to absorb the rest of your routines hydrating and nourishing goodness.

How to layer your skin-care products:

Besides picking the right products for your skin type, it is equally important to follow a proper skin care routine. So if you find yourself asking “In what order do I apply my skincare products?” then the below guide is for you, it outlines the best routine to follow according to dermatologists.

Develop a proper skin care routine:

Step 1: Don’t just cleanse – double cleanse, especially at night.

Cleansing is the most integral part of taking care of your skin, both in the morning and at night. Skipping the use of a cleanser will leave oil and impurities on your skin which will prevent any products from being absorbed into the skin and delivering the results they are intended to.

Make sure to thoroughly cleanse your face, double cleansing or cleansing twice in the evening is critical to remove the day’s grime, dirt, oil, and makeup. The first step of double cleansing involves using a cleansing oil to first dissolve your makeup (if you have worn any). The second step is to use a face wash to remove excess sebum, dirt, and makeup loosened in the first step. This leaves your skin fresh and perfectly prepped to absorb the rest of your skin regimen.

It is recommended you use a gentle cleanser, this will prep your face without disturbing the skin barrier. Be sure to always select a cleanser designed for your skin type. You are not looking to have “squeaky-clean” skin when cleansing your face, this indicates you have over-cleansed your skin and stripped its natural moisture.

TOP TIP: Exfoliate your skin twice a week using either a physical exfoliant like a facial scrub or a chemical exfoliant in place of your cleanser after removing your makeup. Exfoliation promotes cell turnover (smooth skin), which begins to slow around age 25.

Product pick
Gentle facial wash: For calm, clarified and radiant skin try this refreshing and gentle foaming wash.
Gentle Cleansing Cream for pristine, soft, and glowing skin try this mild yet creamy-rich moisturising cleanser that completely removes impurities and easily wipes away make-up.
Exfoliating Facial Scrub for refined resurfaced and revitalized skin try this facial scrub offering an energizing and exfoliating massage for instant brightening and renewed radiance.

Adding in or using a facial mask:
If you are using a facial mask it should be used in the midst of your skin care routine, after cleansing and exfoliation. Face masks are used to treat specific skin situations, therefore you need to choose the right mask to use on your face for your skin concerns.
Some masks can be used on a daily basis and others every once in a while depending on your mask type. Apply the mask to your face for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. You will usually know it is done when it feels dry – but it depends on the type of mask you will use. Wash your face with lukewarm water to remove the mask and complete the rest of your skin care steps after the mask is removed.
Facial masks are for everyone and every skin type, they are actually one of the best products out there. Masks are easy to apply and it can be fun to use. You will feel the positive results right after.

Product pick: Aloe & Honey Gel Mask for a more radiant and youthful appearance try this soothing gel mask that instantly energizes and smooths dull, tired skin.

Step 2: Add a toner to your routine

Most people tend to question whether they need to use a toner or not in their routine or they don’t use one at all, mostly because they believe a toner is harsh and irritates or dries the skin. Fortunately, that is not the case. Use a toner twice daily after cleansing your face, applying toner on damp skin.

It is a good idea to add toner to your skin care routine, the main purpose is to balance the skin’s pH before applying the next products in your routine. Depending on the ingredients, toners can serve multiple purposes and each type of toner is intended for a different skin issue so it is important to use the right type of toner for your skin concerns. Toners can assist with hydrating (containing hyaluronic acid or glycerine), brightening (containing antioxidants such as vitamin C), exfoliating (with fruit enzymes or chemical exfoliants), or treating skin issues such as acne (with salicylic acid).

TOP TIP:  At night you can use skin care boosters such as mists or hydrating serums, for the most part, the purpose is to hydrate and nourish the skin. If you are using multiple boosters, the same rules apply: apply from thinnest to thickest.

Product pick: Clarifying Toner for cleaner, calmer, and more comfortable skin try this energizing spray that clarifies, tones, and soothes reactive skin problems.

Step 3: Apply an eye cream

For best results, consistency is key: It is vital to apply an eye cream every night and if possible as part of your morning skin care routine as well – starting in your 20s. Aside from addressing crow’s feet and dark circles, eye creams can also serve to protect your delicate eye area from your other skin care products. Applying cream to this area will maintain the health and thickness, improving the skin quality early ensures the skin does not easily lose its smooth appearance later on. The skin around the eye is thinner than the skin on the rest of your face, apply a small amount of eye cream using your ring finger, dotting it around your orbital bone (hard bone under your eyes). Continue to pat dots of eye cream with your ring finger until they sink into the skin.

TOP TIP: Wear sunglasses when outside to protect against V-light damage and lines that can develop around the corners of your eyes from squinting.

Product pick: Age Defying Eye & Lip Cream for younger, fresher, and less fatigued skin try this eye & upper lip cream in one to reduce the appearance of fine lines, improve skin tone, and combatting dark circles and puffiness.

Step 4: Invest in a serum

As part of your morning routine, you should apply an antioxidant serum. Serums are super-concentrated, nutrient-dense treatments that address specific concerns. Antioxidant serums have a protective and preventive quality, delivering advanced protection, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and the overall texture of the skin. Applying an antioxidant serum is a great treatment if you are worried about ageing skin.

Like the rest of our body, skin does the bulk of its repairing, restoring, and regenerating while we sleep. Serums contain a concentrated amount of active ingredients, if you want to increase the results of your skin care routine, using a specialised serum at night will go a long way. Since your skin’s permeability is enhanced at night and serums have a small molecule to penetrate through the cell membrane. Depending on your skin concern, this step may consist of one or a number of actives – which is why it is important to get the order right.

TOP TIP: Apply serums or treatments after your eye cream, working from the thinnest to the thickest consistency.

Product pick: Age Defying Serum for smooth and healthy-looking skin try this potent and high-concentrated serum to kickstart your skin’s age-defying powers.

Step 5: Apply a moisturiser

After applying your serums it is time to seal with a moisturiser, everyone needs to moisturise even if you have oily skin. Moisturising is exactly as it sounds – it helps your skin retain moisture, keeping it soft and looking younger for longer.

Most experts recommend applying a moisturiser while the skin is still damp, so the sooner you go through applying your serums, the sooner you’re able to lock in much-needed hydration with your moisturiser. If you are in doubt about which moisturiser to use, pick a gentle one with simple ingredients.

TOP TIP: If you are using an acne spot treatment (which you would apply after serums but before moisturiser) you may want to skip those areas when applying moisturiser that you have spot treated to ensure the ingredients do not interfere with the active ingredients of your spot treatment.

Product picks:
2 in 1 Light Everyday Facial Lotion for critical hydration to all skin types when you try this ultra-light, non-greasy moisture lotion that quenches to nourish and protect the skin.
Essential Day Cream for resilient, even-toned, and glowing skin try this lightweight cream providing all-day hydration to leave skin soft, smooth and supple.
Essential Night Cream for firm rested and radiant skin try this powerful nourishing cream that locks in moisture for lasting hydration and helps fight damaging free radicals.   

Step 6: ALWAYS apply sunscreen

For a morning routine, a moisturiser should be followed by sunscreen. This is the most important step as part of your year-round morning skincare routine. Applying sunscreen daily helps prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles, textural imperfections, and changes in the pores over time. More importantly, daily sunscreen use can prevent the formation of certain skin cancers.

Sunscreen should be the last step of your daytime skin care routine if you are using a physical or mineral sunscreen but if you are using a chemical sunscreen it needs to be absorbed into the skin but applying moisturiser after sunscreen will not allow it to absorb as well, therefore you should look for a formula that offers moisturising benefits if you are using a chemical sunscreen.

TOP TIP: You could apply a moisturiser that contains an SPF and be sure to choose a daily moisturiser that contains at least and SPF of 30 and reapplying every two hours.

Product pick: SPF 30 Sun Lotion for nourished, hydrated, and protected skin try this soft, silky lotion with SPF 30 to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun.

Remember that timing matters, too:
Aside from the application of products, some experts believe it is important to consider the time it takes for your skin to absorb your products. Skin care routines and applying products can take time so try to keep your routine simple in order to be consistent and follow the same skin care each time you apply products.

Must-try skincare products by Aloe Unique:
Did you know? Aloe Ferox is ideal for skincare as it has been scientifically proven to penetrate the skin to the deepest layer. These tried and trusted favourites will have you bringing your A-game to developing a perfect skin care sequence that works for you. The Aloe Unique range of products has been designed to benefit all skin types, the formulations have been perfected to use the optimal amount of Aloe Ferox actives.

Click here to view the full range of Aloe Unique products.

FINAL TIP: Listen to your skin. Remember you are unique and nobody else has your skin. It is important to find what works for you and to always be kind to your skin.