The correct order to apply face serums in your skincare routine

Discover how to incorporate face serums in your morning and evening skincare routines. Learn about the importance of the order and layering for the best results.

Nov 10, 2021

How-To

When it comes to nailing your skincare, one of the most important factors – besides product choice – is the order in which you apply your products. Now, most of us understand that we start with a cleanser to remove impurities and finish with moisturiser to lock in our actives and hydration… but between those products is where the mystery lies…

So, today we’re taking a deep dive into everything skincare layering.

How-to layer your skincare

Generally, you’ll want to start with the thinnest products first so these can soak seamlessly into the skin. You’ll then progress to your products with a higher molecular weight.

Here’s the usual order:

Cleanser
Toner (if using one)
Essence (if using one)
Serums
Oil (if using one)
Moisturiser
SPF

Don’t go all-out on active skincare

These days, there are an almost endless variety of serums available to treat pretty much any skin concern under the sun. Understandably, it can be tempting to go completely crazy over skincare serums and layer them up like there’s no tomorrow. BUT, go easy.

Why?

Well, introducing too many actives to your skin at once is a sure-fire way to cause sensitivity or irritation. If you’ve added in some new serums and are experiencing excessive redness, dryness, flaking or sensitivity, you’ve probably gone a little OTT.

Ease your way into skincare layering

A good rule of thumb is to introduce just *one* new skincare product to your routine at a time and check how your skin reacts. It’s also important to be aware of how skincare ingredients interact with one another.

Most of the BOOST LAB® serums do play nicely together however some ingredients – like retinol and vitamin C – shouldn’t be applied at the same time. Similarly, using multiple chemical exfoliants at once is also a recipe for cranky skin.

AM skincare

Once you’ve cleansed your skin in the morning, it’s time to slather on some of your favourite serums. When choosing your daytime serums, be guided by your personal skin type or the concerns you’d like to address.

Dealing with dryness? Go for something with hydration - and yes, we’ll let you in on our best serum for dry skin below. On the other hand, if you have excessive oil production or breakouts, you might want to try a blemish treatment serum instead.

Face serums for the AM

For blemished skin: BOOST LAB® Vitamin B3 Blemish Rescue Serum

This blemish treatment supercharged serum is packed with vitamin B3 to clear the skin. If you’re keen to learn more about what blemishes are, check out our blemish guide.

For ageing skin: BOOST LAB® Multi-Peptide Anti-Ageing Serum

This multi-action treatment has a clinical concentrate of active peptides and a complex carbohydrate blend to help reverse the effects of ageing, stress, and pollution.

For radiance: BOOST LAB® Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Brighten up dull skin with this vitamin C and niacinamide-dosed dark spot treatment. It’s excellent as a skin tone-evening serum for pigmentation, too.

PM skincare

Your evening skincare routine is the perfect time to incorporate any stronger actives that could potentially sensitise your skin i.e. lead to a little redness. Leave them to work their magic overnight and wake up to fresh, glowing skin.

Face serums for the PM

For ageing skin: BOOST LAB® Retinol Night Renewal Serum

With Gold Standard retinol and granactive retinoids, this anti-ageing serum accelerates skin cell renewal, smooths away fine lines, wrinkles, and fades pigmentation while soothing with organic aloe vera.

For dull eyes and dark circles: BOOST LAB® Bio-Active Eye Reset Serum

Tired eyes will love this illuminating eye serum with Gold Standard peptides. It’s ideal for use in combination with other Boost Lab® serums.

For dehydrated skin: BOOST LAB® 2D-Hyaluronic Hydro Boost Serum

Need more moisture? This face serum for dry skin has Gold Standard bio-complexes with hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate.

For congestion: BOOST LAB® AHA Glow Resurfacing Serum

A gentle leave-on exfoliant designed to be used three to four times per week. It’s perfect as a pore minimising serum and it serves as a powerful dark spot remover, too.