When it comes to building an effective routine, it can be tricky to work out what comes before what. A good rule of thumb when it comes to skincare regimes is to apply products from the thinnest formulas first working your way to the thickest. So start off with water-based essences and serums that are quickly absorbed, followed by heavier creams and then oils if needed. Make sure you leave a minute or two in-between steps to allow the skin to absorb each product.

If you’re looking to build a skincare routine and don’t know where to start, below is our guide to the main products every regime should include and which order to apply them in…

An essence is a water-based treatment that works in a similar way to a toner, imbuing skin with an extra ‘boost’ of hydration and skin-replenishing antioxidants in-between cleansing and serums. They also help balance the skin’s pH levels and create a ‘water pathway’ to allow serums and moisturisers to absorb more effectively. Our best-selling Antioxidant Energising Essence contains a medley of potent actives to protect and repair skin from sun and pollution damage.

Eye creams are good at targeting specific concerns such as eye bags, pigmentation, dark circles and puffiness. The ingredients tend to be gentler and safer to use around the sensitive eye area, but they still pack plenty of potent actives so a little goes a long way. As well as eye creams, there are also eye gels and serums, notably our antioxidant-rich Eye Lift Gel NAC Y²™ which can be kept in the fridge to make the eye area feel more refreshed and bring down any redness or inflammation. Applying eye products before your serum and moisturiser will help protect the delicate area from the harsher products you may have in your regimen.

Serums are intense, targeted treatments designed to treat particular skin concerns – due to their lightweight texture, they’re more deeply absorbed so they can treat the skin at a deeper level. There are serums suitable for all skin types and conditions (e.g. fine lines, pigmentation, wrinkles, spots, dehydration or redness). Even if you have ‘normal’ skin, you should still be using a serum rich in antioxidants, such as our Repair Serum NAC Y²™ which works to repair and protect the skin from daily pollution and sun exposure to leave it looking plump and renewed.

While serums tend to target specific concerns, the job of a moisturiser is to hydrate and soften the outer layers of skin, boosting its own protective barrier so that it’s less prone to water loss and irritation. They also come with anti-ageing benefits such as our Black Diamond Cream, featuring brightening liquorice root, strengthening centella asiatica, and hydrating hyaluronic acid to combat the visible signs of ageing.