How To Make Your Skincare Absorb Properly & Sink In

Ever wonder why even after following all of your regular skincare steps, your face just doesn’t look right? It could be because you didn’t allow your skincare sink to really sink in, meaning you haven’t properly reaped the benefits of your products. The consistency of the your skin care products is important when it comes to what order you are applying them on your skin, allowing active ingreidents to absorb, without blocking them with heavier formulas.

Here’s a step-by-step guide of the order to apply your skin care, in order to get the most out of your regime:

First thing's first: cleanse your face when you wake up. Not only will this get rid of any sweat or grime that may have accumulated from a dirty pillowcase overnight, it will give you a fresh base to start with for the day ahead. It doesn't really matter whether you cleanse by splashing water, sweeping a micellar water drenched cotton pad, or go for the same cleanser you use in your shower, but cleansing in the morning is an important step. If you are using a regular cleanser, be sure to use gentle circular motions and long strokes, taking care not to tug on your skin.
Follow your cleanse by patting your face dry with a clean towel. Make sure you are patting, as similarly to your cleansing technique, you want to avoid tugging on your skin.
If you use a serum in the morning, now is the time to apply that. I personally apply a few drops of Skinceuticals C E Ferulic (available at skinceuticals.com.au) onto my fingertips and then press into my face, allowing a minute or two for that to sink in.
Follow with your eye cream. The consistency of an eye cream is heavier than that of a serum, so applying it over the top is important as the serum is directly on your skin, allowing it to absorb.
Next, it’s time to moisturise. Apply liberally to your face and neck, allowing two-three minutes for it to sink in to your skin. As a moisturiser is usually the heaviest formula, it is important for it to go on last, as it locks in the moisture from your products underneath.
In my opinion, the most important step comes next, sunscreen. Relying on the SPF in your foundation often isn't enough to ensure your skin is protected (you should really be applying multiple times a day). So, to keep skin protected apply a generous amount of SPF 30 (at least) on top of your moisturiser and before your foundation. My favourite formulas are Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield SPF 30 and Ella Bache Great SPF 50+ Face Saver Lotion.
If you prime your skin before applying make-up, ensure your face is dry and apply much like you did the moisturiser. Allow up to five minutes for the primer to sink in so that you have a perfect base on which to apply your make-up.

For a night-time routine, the order is much the same, however I would recommend cleansing more thoroughly (a double-cleanse always does the job), and skipping the sunscreen and primer.

Following these recommendations will ensure your skin reaps the benefits of every step in your skin care regimen, and will assist in a more even make-up application.

Do you do anything differently in your skin care routine? Let us know how many steps your routine involves.

Main image credit @gigihadid

136 Member Comments

Rpear 3 Nov 2018 8:53 AM

I recently purchased a genius devise that massages all the skincare in . Using circular motions !!

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Popsicle 17 Oct 2018 12:37 PM

Good steps here. Sometimes I just use water to cleanse in the morning.

Lucy16 16 Oct 2018 9:42 PM

I want to add concentrated green tea as a toner before my moisturiser to minimise pores.

Lucy16 16 Oct 2018 9:40 PM

I do this but add bearberry and bilberry infused glycerine, HA, azelaic acid, moisturiser and double sunscreen.

Khajiit 14 Oct 2018 8:58 PM

Great tips, seems really easy to follow

Belleluxe 11 Oct 2018 7:59 PM

I think it's so important to take time, I used to rush through my routine but I take more time now especially because I use an AHA

ThisIsMe 11 Oct 2018 11:58 AM

Great tips but way too many things for the morning! I wash my face, put toner & moisturise!

shaper 9 Oct 2018 10:21 AM

Really good instructions here a great step by step guide and I admit I have been guilty of not giving the products enough time between each...so I will try harder.

NellAdams 9 Oct 2018 10:18 AM

Some excellent tips!

sloops 5 Oct 2018 2:25 PM

Wow lots of products great article. I need to care more for my skin

abbeyleee12 4 Oct 2018 7:48 AM

Should allow more time in the morning to take more love with my skin care routine, abit lazy lately

onlyoni 3 Oct 2018 10:34 PM

I seem to have a lot more time at night so my layers of skincare products are applied at sometimes up to 15 minute intervals. Mornings are a bit more rushed. I don't think I've ever waited 5 minutes between primer and foundation, but I'm willing to try it out if time permits.

the_girl_who_loves_cosmetics 3 Oct 2018 9:04 PM

This is a fantastic article, love it and will definitely refer back to this again soon.

Tee631 3 Oct 2018 4:02 PM

great tips!

2663anne 3 Oct 2018 1:39 PM

I slap everything on in the morning so fast, the most GAO between each layer of products is when I brush my teeth or hair.

MoonlightSak16 3 Oct 2018 11:01 AM

In the mornings I am always in a rush. but I try to do other things like make my bed , tidy my room etc in between applying products to my face.

Rpear 3 Oct 2018 10:19 AM

I do eye cream first but my serum doesn't go near my eye area. I have trouble allowing it all to sink in . I too do many steps haha

Eskimo82 3 Oct 2018 7:59 AM

At night I leave time between products to sink in but in the morning I'm just slapping them on as fast as I can to rush out the door! I used to only splash my face with water in the morning but have started cleansing and it has helped to make my skin look fresher and clearer, so I think the cleansing in AM is a good tip.

Goddess..... 3 Oct 2018 2:31 AM

I follow all this except I don't use a moisturizer in the morning, I find these product's too thick on my skin & I haven't came across one that is suitable for my face instead I use a serum only & of course I do the same at night but I use a different serum at night then the one in the morning. I can't wear sunscreen underneath my make-up so if it's a hot summer's day I'll skip make-up altogether & wear sunscreen on it's own. I also don't use a primer- there is no need for it. The one thing that isn't mention here is applying moisturizer to your neck & chest area which ofcourse I do, I use a Anti-Aging Rich Cream that I apply day & night & noticed how incredible soft & smooth my skin is in these area's since doing that.

Luna19 2 Oct 2018 11:45 PM

Great tips, I never cleanse in the morning but think I should start including this

GeeJ 2 Oct 2018 10:15 PM

Thanks for the tips. These articles have helped my to really step up my skincare routine.

Miss19 2 Oct 2018 9:43 PM

I find that using less is more and it helps sink in a lot better than using too much of a product

Chrystalage 2 Oct 2018 8:04 PM

My routine need to improve, hmmm

BlueBite 2 Oct 2018 7:53 PM

I apply my products by spreading them and then I pat them until I feel my skin has absorbed them ( it becomes less damp from the product).

clearcrystalwater 2 Oct 2018 7:50 PM

I find spritzing my face with a spray mist toner after applying a serum really helps my skincare routine both for morning and night too.

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How to make your skincare absorb properly and sink in

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