How to Apply Your Skincare Products Correctly

You might have a pretty good idea of what to use in your daily skincare regime, but have you ever truly considered the most effective way to apply your skincare products?

Whether you're looking for clarity on toner application or wondering when to incorporate a serum into your routine, we're here to guide you. This comprehensive guide to skincare application will share our expert tips, covering everything from proper cleansing techniques to using your products in the optimal order for maximum benefits.

Does the application method truly matter for your skincare?

We all have our unique preferences and beauty approaches, which is wonderful because everyone's skin is different. What works perfectly for one person might not be ideal for another.

However, there are some fundamental principles we recommend following to ensure you get the most out of your favourite formulas and support your skin's health.

Understanding Cleansers: Face Wash vs. Cleanser

The terms "face wash" and "cleanser" are often used interchangeably, and while they both aim to clean your skin, there are subtle differences, primarily in their design and texture.

Generally, cleansers tend to be more hydrating and soothing, often featuring creamy or gel-like textures. Face washes, on the other hand, typically have foaming textures or lather up with water, designed for a deeper clean.

Both are valuable additions to any beauty routine, and the choice ultimately comes down to your personal preference and what your skin responds to best. We believe in empowering you to choose what feels right for your unique skin.

Key Takeaways for Effective Skincare Application:

Optimal Order: Apply products from the lightest to the richest consistency – typically cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, then eye cream. This layering ensures each product absorbs effectively without hindering the next.
Cleansing Essentials: Always start with clean hands. Use a small, blueberry-sized amount of face wash, massaging in gentle circular motions. For rinse-free cleansers, sweep gently with a cotton pad.
Serum Savvy: Apply 2-3 drops of serum to slightly damp skin after cleansing for enhanced absorption. Feel free to mix compatible serums, such as Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide, for combined benefits.
Moisturiser Timing: For best absorption, apply your moisturiser within a few minutes of cleansing to damp skin. Use a 5p-sized amount and remember to extend application to your neck.
Gentle Eye Care: Pat eye cream gently around the delicate eye area using your ring finger to minimise pressure. Apply it after your facial moisturiser.

Before you begin your skincare routine, it's essential to wash your hands thoroughly. This simple step prevents the transfer of dirt and bacteria from your hands back onto your face during cleansing, ensuring a truly fresh start for your skin.

If you're using a face wash, a blueberry-sized amount is usually all you need. Gently massage it into your skin in circular motions to effectively dislodge daily grime and impurities from your pores. Remember to extend your cleansing to your hairline when rinsing to prevent product build-up and potential breakouts. You can read even more tips on how to wash your face here.

For a rinse-free option like our Kind to Skin™ Micellar Water, apply a few drops onto a reusable cotton pad. Gently sweep it across your skin, working outwards from your T-zone to your cheeks, then towards your hairline and neck, until the cotton pad appears clean.

Even if you have oily skin, a cleansing oil can be incredibly beneficial as oil attracts oil. Begin with dry hands and a dry face – do not wet your skin beforehand. Warm the oil between your palms, then smooth it onto your skin and gently massage. Watch as your makeup and impurities dissolve. Once ready, rinse with warm water or gently wipe away with a warm, wet face cloth for a clean, soft feel.

Exfoliating helps to gently buff away dead skin cells, revealing the fresher, more radiant skin beneath. You can achieve this effortlessly with a product like our Simple Smooth+ Gel Cleanser, which combines cleansing with gentle exfoliation. You can also exfoliate with more traditional exfoliators that contain tiny particles, like our Simple Glow+ Clay Cleanser for an additional radiance boost. For best results and to avoid over-exfoliation, we recommend using your chosen exfoliator 2-3 times a week.

Toner is a versatile product that can help balance your skin's pH and prepare it for subsequent serums and moisturisers. After cleansing, pour a small amount of toner, such as our Kind to Skin Soothing Toner, onto a cotton pad. Gently sweep it across your face, jawline, neck, and hairline to catch any lingering impurities. You can use a toner once or twice a day, depending on what feels best for your skin. Want to learn more about toners? Click right here.

Serums are powerful, concentrated formulas designed to address specific skin needs. Our serums, like the Simple Repair+ 11% Pro-Ceramide + Omega serum, Hydrate+% Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin B5 Serum and Smooth+ 10% Niacinamide Serum deliver high-performance ingredients deep into the skin. After thorough cleansing, shake your chosen serum and apply 2-3 drops to your face. For optimal absorption, apply when your skin is slightly damp. You can also mix compatible serums, such as Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide, for enhanced benefits before following with your moisturiser.

Applying your moisturiser within a few minutes of cleansing is key for optimum absorption and to lock in hydration. Take a 5p-sized amount on your fingertips and gently massage it into your damp skin, remembering to include your neck. If your skin still feels dry, consider switching to a richer formula, like our Simple Repair+ Rich Cream, rather than applying excessive layers, as your skin can only absorb so much. Our amazing new skin barrier cream is powered by Simple® Ceramide Boosters. They sink deeply through 10 skin layers and help the skin produce its own ceramides for repaired, intensely nourished skin.

Eye cream is wonderful for refreshing tired eyes at the end of a long day. Since eye creams are often richer than facial moisturisers, it's best to apply them after your face cream to ensure proper absorption. Gently pat the eye cream onto the delicate skin under and around your eyes using your ring finger to minimise pressure. For an extra refreshing boost, try keeping your eye cream in the fridge.

Treating your skin to a face mask a few times a week can provide targeted benefits, from purifying to intense hydration. For clay or cream masks, smooth a thin, even layer onto your skin, leave for 5-15 minutes as directed, then remove with a warm, damp washcloth. If you're using a sheet mask, such as our Simple Kind to Skin Rich Moisturise Sheet Mask, simply apply it to your face, leave for a few minutes, and then remove – no rinsing required.

Exfoliators, Toners, and Serums: Your Next Skincare Steps

Now that your skin is beautifully clean, let's delve into the next crucial steps in your routine. These products are designed to refine, balance, and target specific skin concerns, preparing your skin for optimal hydration.

Moisturisers, Oils, and Masks: The Hydration Essentials

You've cleansed, exfoliated, and prepped your skin perfectly. Now, it's time for one of the most satisfying parts of any skincare routine: deep hydration and nourishment!

During the day, using a moisturiser with SPF helps defend against sun damage caused by UV rays, which is a key factor in dull skin. Our Simple UV Fluid SPF 50 boosts radiance while helping to protect your skin effectively.

Your evening skincare routine is an ideal time to use an ultra-hydrating formula, allowing it to work its magic as you sleep. If you prefer lighter textures, our Simple Hydrate+ Gel Cream offers 100 hours of multi-layer hydration without feeling heavy.

You're Now a Skincare Application Expert!

By understanding the most effective ways to apply your skincare products and knowing how often to use them, you empower your skin to look and feel its best. Your products will work harder to ensure your skin feels vibrant, glowing, and perfectly prepared for whatever the day or night brings.

For optimal absorption and effectiveness, apply products from the thinnest to the thickest consistency. This generally means starting with cleanser, followed by toner, serum, moisturiser, and finally eye cream. Applying your moisturiser within a few minutes of cleansing to damp skin is also key for locking in hydration.

A 5p-sized amount of moisturiser is typically sufficient for your face and neck. Your skin can only absorb a certain amount, so applying more won't necessarily increase benefits. If your skin still feels dry, consider using a richer formula rather than simply applying extra layers of your current product.

Yes, you can absolutely mix compatible serums to enhance their benefits. For example, Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide are a popular and effective pairing. Apply 2-3 drops of your chosen serum(s) to slightly damp skin after cleansing for better absorption, then follow with your favourite moisturiser.

It's generally recommended to apply eye cream after your facial moisturiser. Eye creams often have a richer texture, and applying them first could create a barrier that prevents your face cream from fully absorbing. Gently pat the eye cream around your delicate eye area using your ring finger.

To use cleansing oil effectively, apply it to dry hands and a dry face – do not wet your skin beforehand. Warm the oil between your palms, then gently massage it into your skin to dissolve makeup and impurities. Once you're ready, rinse with warm water or use a warm, wet face cloth to gently wipe it away.

For best results and to avoid over-exfoliation, we recommend using an exfoliator 2-3 times per week. This frequency helps to effectively buff away dead skin cells, revealing fresher, smoother skin without causing irritation. Always listen to your skin's needs.

Discover More Skincare Insights

The Seven Best Skincare Tips to Try Today

Whether you’re fairly new to using beauty products or you’re pretty clued up already, we’ve got some handy tricks and hacks that’ll have you thinking these are the skincare tips I wish I knew earlier.

Discover more about The Seven Best Skincare Tips to Try Today Explore All Tips

Why You Need a Serum in your Skincare Routine

Many people skip the serum stage of their regime. Why? Well, often it’s because of myths like serums just being another form of moisturiser or that they’re not that effective. Both of which are incorrect, of course.

Discover more about Why You Need a Serum in your Skincare Routine Explore All Tips

Our best nighttime skincare routine

There are few things we look forward to more after a long, busy day than relaxing with our nighttime skincare routine.

Discover more about Our best nighttime skincare routine Explore All Tips