What Order Should You Apply Skincare? | ästhetik
The ästhetik routine
What Order Should You Apply Skincare?
Skincare does not need to feel complicated. This esthetician-led guide shows where each step fits so you can layer your products in a simple order for morning and evening.
Esthetician note: You do not need every product on this page. If a step is not part of your routine, simply move to the next one. Consistency matters more than creating an unnecessarily complicated regimen.
Skincare routine order at a glance
- Oil cleanse — evening, when needed
- Cleanse
- All-Inclusive Tonic
- Eye treatment
- Water-based serums
- Facial oil or richer treatment
- Moisturizer
- Lip treatment
- Mineral SPF — final morning step
Oil Cleanse
If you are wearing makeup, sunscreen or other oil-based products, begin your evening routine with an oil cleanser.
Massage onto dry skin, then remove gently before moving on to your water-based cleanser.
Cleanse
Follow with a water-based cleanser selected for your skin. Massage gently over the face using circular motions, then rinse thoroughly.
The goal is clean skin without making your routine feel harsh or complicated.
Apply All-Inclusive Tonic
Apply your tonic after cleansing and before targeted treatments. This creates a simple transition between cleansing and the treatment portion of your routine.
Use morning and evening as part of your regular skincare routine.
Apply Eye Treatment
Apply your targeted eye treatment after toning so it can be placed directly on clean, prepped skin before the rest of your treatment serums.
Use a small amount around the eye area and tap gently rather than rubbing.
Apply Water-Based Serums
Apply lighter water-based treatment products before richer facial oils and moisturizers.
Vitamin C Serum or Hyaluronic Acid Serum can be incorporated here depending on your skin and routine.
Retinol Serum belongs in the treatment portion of your evening routine.
Apply Facial Oil or Richer Treatment
Oil-based treatments come after lighter water-based serums. Apply a few drops and gently work the product over your face and neck.
Liquid Gold can be incorporated into a morning or evening routine depending on how your skin prefers to wear facial oils.
Seal In Your Routine
Moisturizer follows your treatment products and helps complete the routine. Choose the formula that best fits your skin and the time of day.
Apply Lip Treatment
Lip care can be incorporated at the end of your routine and reapplied throughout the day whenever needed.
Think of this as skincare for your lips rather than an occasional extra.
Protect With Mineral SPF 50
Sunscreen is the final skincare step in your morning routine. Apply it after moisturizer and before makeup.
A complexion-enhancing mineral SPF designed to finish your morning skincare routine.
A portable mineral sunscreen option that makes application and reapplication easier throughout the day.
Skincare routine order FAQs
What is the correct order to apply skincare?
A simple routine generally starts with cleansing, followed by tonic or prep, eye treatment, lighter treatment serums, richer facial oils, moisturizer, lip care and sunscreen as the final morning step.
Do I need every skincare step?
No. Use the steps that make sense for your skin and routine. A simple routine you use consistently can be more practical than adding products you do not need.
Should eye treatment go before serum?
In the ästhetik routine, eye treatment is applied after tonic and before the rest of your treatment serums so it can be placed directly on clean, prepped skin.
Should facial oil go before or after moisturizer?
In this routine, lighter water-based treatments are applied first, followed by facial oil and then moisturizer.
Does sunscreen always go last?
In the morning, sunscreen should be the final skincare step before makeup. Reapply according to the directions on your sunscreen during sun exposure.
Need help choosing products?
Build a routine around your skin.
Take the ästhetik skincare quiz for product guidance, explore the full collection, or visit our Punta Gorda spa for personalized skincare support.
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