In What Order Do We Apply Facial Products? Face Care from Cleanser to Cream

Cleanser, toner, serum, oil, cream – we have the products ready, but the question is what to apply first. In a multi-step routine, the order is not unimportant. If we apply a rich cream before a light serum, we may hinder its contact with the skin, while an oil plays a somewhat different role in the routine than a water-based product.

A well-designed face care routine therefore does not mean as many steps as possible. It is more important to understand the purpose of each product and use it in the right place.

The basic rule: from cleansing to richer textures

For most routines, we can follow a simple rule: after cleansing, we generally apply lighter, more fluid products first, and then move on to richer formulas. At the same time, dermatologists point out that a large number of products does not in itself mean better care and, for some people, can increase the likelihood of irritation.

The basic order can be:

cleanser,
toner,
serum,
cream and/or oil,
sun protection in the morning.

Not all steps are mandatory. Face care should be adapted to your skin type and its current condition. If gentle cleansing, a suitable cream and sun protection are enough for us, there is no need to add extra products just because they exist.

Cleanser, toner and serum: what goes first?

Cleanser is the first step, as it removes impurities, excess sebum, make-up residue and the products we have used during the day. At Aroma Herbal, we can choose a cleansing product to suit the skin – for example, there are lotions for dry and sensitive or combination skin and a cleansing gel for blemish-prone skin.

After cleansing, a toner can follow. This step is not necessary in every routine, but we can include it depending on the skin's needs and the formulation of the product. At Aroma Herbal we have different toners for dry and sensitive, combination and blemish-prone skin.

Next comes the face serum. Serums generally have a lighter texture and are used before richer care products. When choosing, it makes no sense to combine several serums just because they have different active ingredients. First we determine what the skin needs and choose the product accordingly.

If we are introducing a new serum, we include it in the routine gradually. That makes it easier to monitor the skin's response and see whether the formula suits us.

And which comes first: oil or cream?

This is where the order becomes somewhat less clear-cut. A lot depends on which product we use, what its formulation is and what the manufacturer recommends.

In a classic routine, we usually apply products with a lighter texture first and richer ones later. Facial oils can therefore be used towards the end of the routine, on their own or together with a cream. Some recommendations place the oil before the moisturising cream, so it is always worth checking the directions for use of the specific product.

At Aroma Herbal, we can choose an oil to suit the needs of the skin. Our face care products include, for example, jojoba, almond, rosehip, tamanu and other plant oils, as well as oil serums and creams for different skin types.

Instead of asking “oil or cream?”, it is therefore better to ask what our skin actually needs. Dry skin will often tolerate richer care better, while with oily or blemish-prone skin, over-layering products does not always make sense.

Morning and evening care are not quite the same

In the evening, the routine can end with a cream, an oil or a combination of products that suits our skin. In the morning, we add one more important final step – sun protection. A product with a protection factor is applied at the end of the morning care routine, or before make-up.

The most sensible routine is therefore not the one with the most bottles on the shelf, but the one we can follow consistently and that our skin tolerates well. If we use several products, we add them thoughtfully and monitor how the skin responds.

At Aroma Herbal, we have divided our face care products according to the different steps and needs of the skin – from cleansers, toners and serums to plant oils, creams, masks and products for individual skin types. That way we can build our routine around what our skin actually needs, instead of automatically following the longest possible list of steps.