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While having a dedicated skincare regimen is one of the keys to great skin, it’s only half the story. You also need to know the correct order to apply skincare products. Things like the texture of a formula or its active ingredients can impact where in your routine it needs to be applied.
At Kiehl’s we know the foundation of visibly healthy skin means incorporating skincare that is scientifically formulated to restore and strengthen the barrier for healthier, younger-looking skin. And, the order of the steps in your skincare routine can determine the effectiveness of the products used — and the overall routine itself.
We asked our Kiehl’s Customer Representatives to share their advice on when to apply each product, from your toner to your sunscreen and everything in between. Keep reading to learn the correct order to apply your skincare products to get the most complete benefits.
Step #1
Clean skin is the very first step towards healthier-looking skin, meaning the first step in any skin routine is to cleanse the skin by gently removing dirt, debris, and residue with a foaming cleanser . Washing your face twice daily helps maintain the skin’s natural oil base and helps keep skin’s surface free from impurities.
Step #2
After washing your face, refresh your skin with an effective toner. Toners are highly concentrated formulas that help balance the oils in your skin and remove excess impurities that remain after cleansing. It is important to look for one that compliments your skin type. For oily skin , try a pore minimizing toner that helps reduce shine and the appearance of enlarged pores. For normal-to-dry skin, try a gentle, alcohol-free facial toner that is formulated not to over-dry or strip skin of natural oils.
Step #3
Address and correct your specific concerns by boosting your routine with a face serum. These targeted products are designed to help improve myriad skin concerns by delivering highly concentrated formulations of active ingredients . Apply to cleansed, toned skin morning and night daily. Remember to apply your facial serum before your face oil and/or moisturizer .
Step #4
Face oils can help boost the effectiveness of your skincare routine by further replenishing skin and providing additional benefits to the skin barrier . Facial oils tend to help maintain skin’s natural oil levels and can work in tandem with other products in your routine to further hydrate, calm or re-balance your skin!
DAYTIME FACE OIL 
During the day, revitalize your skin by applying a daily antioxidant facial oil after your serum treatment and before your moisturizer and sunscreen .
NIGHTTIME FACE OIL 
At night, apply a hydrating face oil after a face serum and before a moisturizer or overnight mask. Learn more about the benefits of incorporating a facial oil to your nighttime routine .
Step #5
Applying an eye cream or treatment formulated specifically for eyes is a critical step in any skincare routine.
The skin around the eyes is often the first to reflect signs of aging because it is ten times thinner than the skin protecting the rest of the face. Eye creams can help target concerns like wrinkles, crow’s feet, puffiness, and dark circles. Since the skin around the eye can be sensitive, it is important to use products specially formulated for this area.
Because our skin has different needs during the day than it does at night, you should use products that complement the skin’s natural healing processes. During the day when skin needs protection from pollutants and outside aggressors, use a Vitamin C eye cream to help boost radiance for brighter-looking eyes, or a hydrating eye cream with Avocado Oil . At night, when the skin is most optimally repairing itself, use an eye cream for dark circles infused with Lavender Essential Oil and Evening Primrose Oil .
Step #6
Moisturizing daily is an essential step in every healthy skin routine — regardless of skin type.
Without sufficient hydration, skin can be susceptible to a weakened skin barrier, resulting in dry areas and ultimately speeding the skin aging process. Massage a dime-sized amount of moisturizer onto your face twice daily, after cleansing and toning.
Whether you are looking for a daily facial cream that provides lasting all day moisture or a hydrating anti-aging facial cream to help visibly reduce wrinkles, we have a moisturizer for you.
Step #7
At Kiehl’s, we hold firm in the belief that the daily use of a broad-spectrum facial sunscreen with SPF 50+ is a vital aspect of any daily skincare regimen. Protect your skin’s barrier from harsh UV rays during the day by applying sunscreen daily. Apply in the morning as the last step of your daily skincare routine.
Extra Step
Whether you want to firm skin overnight or want to energize and brighten dull-looking skin, we have a masking solution for you! To get the most out of your skincare routine, always apply the face mask of your choice after you cleanse your skin. How often and when to use masks depends on the type of mask:
RINSE-OFF MASKS
Day or night, apply a rinse-off mask after cleansing and before the rest of your healthy skin routine. Leave on for 5-10 minutes then rinse off with warm water, massaging skin in a gentle, circular motion. Pat dry with a soft towel. For maximum results, apply a nature-powered face mask to clean skin three times a week.
OVERNIGHT MASKS
Before going to bed, massage an overnight mask to cleansed, toned skin. Apply all over face, on top of a face serum , using upward and outward circular motions. Leave on overnight and rinse off in the morning. We recommend using an overnight mask up to five times a week.
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