Layering Your Skincare
Navigating layering your skincare can be overwhelming when you're faced with so many serums, creams, toners, and exfoliants. Each promising amazing results. The truth is, understanding your skin care order and layering your skincare is what turns a routine into a everyday ritual that really works.
Layering your skincare products in the correct order helps deliver the best results. It’s not just about using high quality ingredients, it's about when and how you apply them.
Why is layering your skincare so important?
Think of skincare layering like building a house. Without a strong foundation and proper sequence, everything else becomes less effective. The right layering order makes sure each product you apply, can penetrate the skin effectively and do its job.
Applying a rich moisturiser before a lightweight serum, for example, can block that serum from absorbing into your skin. A waste of product, time and money!
Layering your skincare correctly helps with hydration, enhances the absorption of actives, and protects your skin barrier.
The Basics of Layering Your Skincare
Do not overthink it. Layering skincare is about applying products from the thinnest to thickest consistency.
Water-based products like toners and serums go on first. Oils and creams, which are thicker and more occlusive, should be your last step.
Stick to three core rules:
- Start clean: Always cleanse first.
- Thin to thick: Lightweight serums before heavier creams.
- Water before oil: Oils seal in, not deliver, hydration.
Every skincare routine, whether it’s three steps or ten, follows the same layering logic. Your skin’s needs will help determine which products you include.
Morning Routine: How to layer AM skincare
Start your day with a fresh, bright base that helps protects against environmental stressors.
Cleanse + Exfoliate: Use a gentle exfoliating cleanser like our ILUMA® Intense Brightening Exfoliating Cleanser to help remove buildup and prep your skin.
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Targeted Serum: Vitamin C-based serums like our VITAL C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum brightens and helps protect with antioxidants.
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Eye Cream: Gently tap on a nourishing eye cream, like our MAX™ Eye Crème to reduce puffiness, and protect the delicate under-eye area.
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Use A Moisturiser with SPF: Lock it all in with our DAILY PREVENTION™ Pure Mineral Hydrating Moisturiser SPF 30 to help protect against UVA/UVB damage.
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Evening Routine: Layering your PM Skincare
The nighttime is for recovery and repair. Try using more concentrated ingredients and richer textures.
Double Cleanse: This helps remove makeup, dirt, and sunscreen. Try our AGELESS Total Facial Cleanser.
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Treatment Serum: Apply a corrective serum like our IMAGE MD Restoring Power-C Serum to fade dark spots and smooth texture.
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Eye Cream: Use an eye cream in the evening as well to help support skin renewal overnight.
Night Cream: Try using a richer formula like our ORMEDIC Balancing Biopeptide Crème to deeply hydrate and nourish skin.
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How many skincare steps do you need?
There is not a one-size-fits-all number of steps when layering your skincare. The ideal routine is one you’ll stick to consistently.
At minimum, include a cleanser, serum, and moisturiser with SPF in the morning. At night, swap SPF for a richer night cream or retinol treatment.
If you’re trying to address specific concerns like hyperpigmentation, breakouts, or aging, try adding an exfoliator, essence, or booster serum can make a visible difference.
It doesn't have to be complicated. Add in steps as your skin adjusts and your confidence and consistency grows.
A Personalised Approach to Layering Your Skincare
What works for one person may not work for another. Climate, hormones, stress, and age all influence your skin’s behaviour.
That’s why it’s important to tune in to yourself, test, and tailor your routine. Image Skincare's recommendation? Start with a customised approach.
Product combinations That Do The Heavy Lifting
Simplify your routine with curated product duos that are clinically formulated to work better together:
- AGELESS Total Microderm Exfoliator + VITAL C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum: Exfoliate then hydrate for smooth, glowing skin.
- ILUMA Intense Brightening Exfoliating Cleanser + ILUMA Intense Facial Illuminator to brighten and balance dark spots and uneven tone.
- The MAX Crème + The MAX Serum: Target visible signs of aging with clinical-grade peptides.
Mastering layering your skincare doesn’t need to be complicated. Follow the basic rules, use high-performance formulas, and trust your skin’s feedback.
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