What Order Should You Apply Skincare Products? A 5 Step Facial Routine

If you've ever stood in front of the bathroom mirror wondering whether the serum goes on before or after the toner, you're not alone. The order you apply skincare in matters almost as much as the products themselves. Apply things in the wrong sequence and you can block a good ingredient from ever reaching your skin.

The Short Answer: Cleanse, Exfoliate, Treat, Tone, Moisturise

As a general rule, skincare should be applied from the thinnest, most water based texture to the thickest, most oil based one. That's the logic behind our 5 Step Facial Collection, which takes you through five steps designed to work in harmony, each one preparing your skin for the next.

Step 1: Cleanse with the Everyday Cleansing Gel

Every routine starts with a clean base. A gentle, everyday cleansing gel lifts away the day's dirt, oil and impurities without stripping the skin, so the products that follow can actually do their job.

Step 2: Exfoliate with the Exfoliating Cleansing Gel

A few times a week, swap your everyday cleanse for an exfoliating one. This step helps clear away dead surface skin cells, supporting a smoother, more refined texture underneath.

Step 3: Treat with the Intensive Gel Face Mask

With clean, exfoliated skin, a treatment mask can work more effectively. A gel mask sits on the skin for a few focused minutes, helping to refine and nourish before you move on.

Step 4: Tone with the Refreshing Facial Toner

Toner is often misunderstood as an optional extra, but it plays a real role: rebalancing the skin and prepping it to absorb the final moisturising step more readily.

Step 5: Moisturise with the Regenerating Face Cream

The last step locks everything in. A regenerating face cream seals in the hydration from the previous steps, leaving skin soft, balanced and comfortable.

How Often Should You Follow the Full 5 Step Routine?

You don't need every step, every day. Cleansing morning and night is the constant. Exfoliating and masking usually suit two or three times a week, while toning and moisturising bookend whichever steps you do complete.

FAQs

Do I need to use all 5 steps every day?

No. Cleansing and moisturising are daily steps, while exfoliating and masking are better suited to a few times a week, depending on your skin.

Is this routine suitable for sensitive skin?

The collection is formulated with gentle, plant based ingredients, but as with any new routine, we'd recommend patch testing first and introducing one step at a time if your skin is reactive.

Is the 5 step facial routine suitable for travel?

Yes. Each product in the collection comes in a compact size, which is exactly why it was designed as a travel friendly way to try a full Dublin Herbalists facial routine.

Ready to try it in the right order? Shop the 5 Step Facial Collection, vegan and handmade in Ireland.