Whether you’ve newly discovered your passion for skincare or it’s always been common practice for you, there is a lot of conflicting information out there about how to take proper care of your skin. First and foremost, build a personal collection of products suited to your skin type for optimal results. Next, it’s essential to learn how to properly layer these products to ensure each penetrates the skin and does what it was formulated to do.

Here is our easy-to-follow guide on how to best layer skincare products.

Cleanse & Exfoliate

Cleansing should be the first step to every routine to ensure you’re removing all impurities from the skin before applying any other products. One to three times a week you should also exfoliate; this can replace your gentle cleanser for that day if you’d like. However, for best results, you can use exfoliation days to double-cleanse; cleanse the skin first with your regular daily cleanser, then double up by exfoliating right after. You’ll feel and see the deep clean.

Apply & Rinse Your Mask

Once or twice a week, follow up your cleansing routine with a face mask. The potent ingredients in a face mask target certain skin issues you’d like to address, such as breakouts, dullness, or dryness. Leave your mask on for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it off before continuing the rest of your usual skincare routine.

Apply Toner

pH-balancing toners are one of the lightest-weight products in any skincare routine. Therefore, they should be the first you apply after cleansing and rinsing off any masks you’ve chosen to implement for the week. Spray or dab on your toner of choice, and give it a couple of minutes to soak into the skin before moving on to the next step. This is the ideal time to comb your hair or brush your teeth while the toner absorbs.

Start Layering Serums

While potent in formulation, serums are also relatively lightweight and should be applied after you’ve given your toner a few minutes to settle into the skin. This is your time to have a little fun with your skincare. You can choose one serum for the day, or select a couple to layer based on your skin’s needs that morning or night. You can mix and match with brightening, hydrating, anti-aging, and balancing serums for optimal results. Just be sure to let each soak in for a couple minutes before layering the next.

Dot on Spot Treatments

Now is the time to follow up your serum(s) with a spot treatment if your skin needs it that day. Simply take a small amount of your blemish cream and tap it gently onto the breakout. Remember that less is more since you do not want to suffocate the blemish in too much product. Let the spot breathe and the product do its job.

Smooth on Moisturizers & Creams

One of the final steps is to apply your chosen moisturizers and eye creams to the rest of the face. Using your ring finger, gently tap in your hydrating eye cream; the skin in this area is delicate and this finger applies the least amount of pressure. Then, apply your moisturizer all over the face, including the neck and chest since the skin in these areas is delicate and deserves the best care.

Top off With Oils & SPF

If you have a skin oil you ensure using, emulsify it in the palms of your hands before lightly tapping it over top of your moisturizer to make an impenetrable barrier between your skin and the outer elements. Regardless if you use an oil, the final step for your daytime routine must be to apply SPF. This is the ultimate protection for your skin, and no other product does what sunscreen can.

Going through your skincare routine from start to finish each morning and night doesn’t have to be complicated once you know how each product works separately and together. In fact, it will become second nature so you can use this time to center and calm yourself. As one of the key elements of daily self-care, you should enjoy this time and implement it twice daily for glowing results inside and out.