Every week at The Facial Hub skin clinic, I sit with clients who whisper, “Sevine… what is the correct order of skincare?” They’re mystified as to why their skincare regimen isn’t giving them the radiant glow they’ve been promised. So here in this guide titled What’s the Correct Order of Skincare?, I’m going to take you through the no-nonsense skincare order, backed by years of experience at The Facial Hub, to help your skin stay calm, happy & protected.
After nearly two decades tackling real skin issues – from sun damage to dark spots to repairing those all-important skin barriers – I’ve picked up on one crucial thing – it’s not about how many products you use, but actually getting the order right. It’s all about following the sequence, using appropriate textures, and supporting your skin type’s unique needs.
Contents
- 1 Understanding Why Order Matters
- 2 Your Step-By-Step Daily Application Guide
- 3 A Simple Table to Keep Your Routine on Track
- 4 2026 Skincare Trends
- 5 What I See in the Treatment Room
- 6 How Climate, Skin Type, and Age Influence
- 7 Professional Tips for Better Results
- 8 Keep it Simple, Supportive, Sustainable
- 9 FAQ
Understanding Why Order Matters
The most effective skincare routines work best when you layer from thinnest to thickest to help active ingredients penetrate where they’re needed, while richer textures do their job & protect your skin. I so often get people coming in for a best facials in Brisbane & they say their skincare just isn’t working. Then, once I get them to sort out their routine, it’s like magic – especially when it comes to vitamin C & hugs of hydration from hyaluronic-acid serums.
Honest to goodness, your skin will pretty much let you know when it’s all gone wrong – & that’s when you end up with tight skin, blocked pores, unexpected reactions & the works when the skin barrier gets overwhelmed.
Your Step-By-Step Daily Application Guide
The sequence I give my clients at The Facial Hub when they’re rebuilding their morning and night skincare routine from scratch is below:
1. Cleanser (AM + PM)
First, a gentle cleanse is essentialremove the oil that builds up on your skin overnight and wash off makeup, sunscreen & other residue. You want to remove the oil that builds up on your skin overnight and wash off makeup, sunscreen & other residuework you’ve accumulated throughout the day. The cleanser you choose is all about your skin type and what you’re trying to fix – micellar water, gel cleanser or balm cleanser – pick the one that suits you best.
2. Double Cleanse (PM)
If you wear sunscreen or makeup, you’ll want to double down on the cleansing.
Start with oil to loosen everything and prepare it for removal.
Follow it up with a water-based cleanser, and you’ll be golden.
We see strong results when our clients at The hydrafacial at The Facial Hub in Brisbane get this right, especially when they come in for a hydrafacial.
3. Exfoliant (1–3 times weekly)
Exfoliants come in all sorts of forms, but basically they’re any product that’s got alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), or poly-hydroxy acids (PHAs). They’re all effective at unclogging pores and helping your Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid work. But don’t overdo it – your skin barrier only needs so much help.
4. Hydrating Toner or Mist
After you’ve cleansed, give your skin a spritz to help rehydrate it. If your toner also contains exfoliants, use it on nights you’re not using other actives.
5. Treatment Serums
You can start being more selective about what your skin tolerates now.
Vitamin C is effective for removing brown spots & making you look brighter.
Hyaluronic Acid is great at plumping up fine lines.
Niacinamide helps your skin repair itself.
Peptides can help speed up healing.
We get a lot of requests for good hydrating serums from clients getting ready for skin needling in Brisbane – it’s pretty much the key to making sure your skin responds well to treatment.
6. Targeted Treatments
Now we’re getting to the stronger stuff – products that’ll help you knock out specific skin problems.
Retinoid for wrinkles.
Benzoyl Peroxide for breakouts.
Some greasy pimple stuff to get rid of blemishes.
Always remember to apply these sorts of products at night, & don’t mix them with your exfoliants.
7. Eye Cream / Eye Contour
Time to target those dark circles & puffy eyes.
Eye creams tend to be nice & light, so go ahead & put ’em under your moisturiser.
8. Moisturising Cream (AM + PM)
You can finally pick a moisturiser that’ll do its job rather than just following what everyone else does.
If you’re in a hot, humid place like Brisbane, a light gel’s probably what you need.
If you’re in a cold place, a richer cream might be what you need.
When our clients start using a moisturiser that suits their skin type, we see fantastic results at The Facial Hub.
9. Face Oil (Optional)
If you have dry skin, this is likely the one factor holding you back.
A light oil on top of your moisturiser will seal in the benefits and prevent water loss.
10. Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen (AM Only)
This is your last step – you gotta put it on top of all your other products to stop you from getting any more sun damage. Get this one right – up to 80% of all visible ageing is caused by the sun, so this is basically the most crucial bit of your whole routine.
A Simple Table to Keep Your Routine on Track
| Step | Product Type | Why It Comes Here | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Micellar water / Gel cleanser | Removes debris | AM + PM |
| 2 | Oil-based cleanser | Removes makeup & sunscreen | PM only |
| 3 | Chemical exfoliants | Clears dead cells | 1–3× weekly |
| 4 | Toner mist | Rehydrates & preps | Optional |
| 5 | Serums | Deliver active ingredients | Apply thinnest → thickest |
| 6 | Targeted treatments | Corrective action | PM only |
| 7 | Eye cream | Light texture | AM + PM |
| 8 | Moisturising cream | Locks moisture in | Climate dependent |
| 9 | Face oil | Seals hydration | Optional |
| 10 | Broad-spectrum sunscreen | UV protection | AM only |
2026 Skincare Trends
People are starting to ditch complex routines and focus on what works. That means choosing products that are sustainable, gentle on the skin, and actually deliver results.
The Rise of Skin Minimalism
We’re seeing a trend where people are stripping back their skincare and focusing on the essentials. And you know what? It’s actually getting better results! Even our clients who get our HydraFacials at The Facial Hub in Brisbane are saying that less is more.
The Power of Barrier Repair
You’ll see more PHAs, ceramides, and other ingredients focused on rebuilding and respecting the skin barrier. These are the guys that keep your skin healthy and resilient.
LED Red Light Therapy for Home Use
We’re seeing more people come in, saying they use red light therapy at home to boost collagen and support skin recovery while they sleep.
What I See in the Treatment Room
Just the other day, a client came in with terrible irritation, dark spots and constant breakouts. And when we looked at her routine, it was like a cocktail of different things – Vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, retinoid serum, and exfoliants all mixed in one go. No wonder she was getting terrible results!
But after we sorted out her routine, adjusted her activities, and had her use an anti-stress mask once a week, her skin began to calm within days.
And here’s the thing: it’s not usually the products that are the problem – it’s the order they’re in.
How Climate, Skin Type, and Age Influence
Understanding your skin’s needs is key to making it work for you. Your climate, skin type, and age all play a significant role in what will work.
Brisbane’s Got a Very Humid Climate
You know what that means – lightweight gel cleansers and water-based serums are perfect for hot days, but heavy creams just aren’t going to cut it.
Ageing Skin – Don’t Panic!
Using a consistent routine with Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and peptides can make all the difference.
Acne-Prone Skin – Time to Get Simple
If you’ve got acne-prone skin, it’s all about simplicity – spot treatment, clarifying serums and clay masks that work well with a simple, structured routine.
Professional Tips for Better Results
Allow each layer to absorb for 30-60 seconds before adding the next layer.
Apply retinoid serum only to dry skin.
Save clay masks for nights when you’re not using any potent actives.
Exfoliating masks or micro-exfoliating solutions are most effective when paired with barrier repair.
And you know what our clients say? That following this little order makes their skin look like they just walked out of The Facial Hub – even before booking in for a facial!
Keep it Simple, Supportive, Sustainable
Skincare doesn’t have to be a nightmare – just stick to the basics: clean, treat, nourish and protect. When you get the order right, your skin starts to do its magic.
If you need guidance, book a consultation at The Facial Hub, and we’ll develop a routine tailored to you. Or if you need something more, we can explore treatments such as needling to give your skin a deeper boost.
FAQ
Do I Really Need to Double Cleanse?
If you wear sunscreen or makeup every day, then yes – oil-based cleansers are a lot better at getting rid of buildup.
When Should I Use Vitamin C?
Morning time is the best – it helps keep the free-radical damage from UV rays at bay.
Where Does Exfoliating Toner Fit In?
Straight after cleansing and before serums – just don’t try to use it with retinoids on the same night.
Can I Use Multiple Active Ingredients at Once?
Yes, but be careful. Stick to one strong active ingredient at a time to keep your skin happy.
Do I Apply Moisturiser Before or After Face Oil?
Moisturiser first, followed by face oil – oils are like a seal, after all.
