DOES THE ORDER IN WHICH YOU APPLY SKINCARE REALLY MATTER?

As it turns out, yes.

You might be using all the latest and greatest formulas, but if you're not using them correctly, you're defeating the purpose. 

Revamp your routine

When it comes to layering lotions, serums, and treatments, "the general rule, just as with your clothes, is to go from lighter to heavier," says Mona Gohara, M.D., an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. Thinner products like toners and serums can't penetrate through thicker products like moisturizers and oils, which help seal in what you've already done and keep skin healthy.

1. Cleanser

Step one, day and night, should always be cleansing. In the morning, "use a gentle cleanser to get rid of the oil your face has accumulated overnight," explains Karan Lal, D.O., F.A.A.D., a double board-certified dermatologist in Scottsdale, AZ. Non-foaming or oil-based cleansers are great products to use at any time.

2. Toner

Toner might not be necessary for your routine, but using the right one can help target specific concerns like dullness and dryness and can serve as a way to prepare your skin to absorb the rest of your products. Toners often are thin and have a watery texture, meaning you'll want to apply one right after cleansing, before thicker or heavier products like serums or creams.

3. Treatment or medication