The correct order to apply skin care products is a hotly debated topic; it’s about as topical as which Harry Styles song is the best (if you’re anything like team GP, you know what we’re talking about). Sure, 14-year-old us with her two-step cleanse and moisturise routine just knew what to do – but now, with eye creams, serums, oils, essences, toners and sunscreen, things are more complicated.

Does it really matter which order you put them on? Short answer: yes. Applying a product at the wrong stage of your routine can make it less effective, clog your pores and, in turn, waste your money. To prevent this, we spoke to National Education Manager at Estée Lauder Australia, Nica Marcello, to determine the correct order, once and for all. 

One simple rule applies: “thinnest to thickest texture is the way to go,” says Marcello. “Start with your watery products like toners, essences and serums and then your heavier, more moisturising products on top.”

The only exception? Eye cream. Regardless of whether you use a serum or cream, your eye area should be taken care of early on in your routine (before any serums with actives). This will ensure the delicate area is protected against anything too robust and will also reduce the risk of eye irritation. 

Put simply, the most effective order is as follows:

1. Cleanse
2. Toner or Essence
3. Eye Cream
4. Serum
5. Moisturiser
6. Face Oil (best used in the PM)
7. Sunscreen (only in the AM)

Like skincare products, not all mistakes are created equal. Some you can get away with but others are borderline criminal. One of said felonies? “Applying serum on its own,” says Marcello. “You are not going to get all the benefits if you don’t layer it with moisturiser. In fact, sometimes it can lead to reversing the benefits.” Especially with formulas that contain heavy duty actives (think retinol and vitamin C), failing to adequately hydrate the skin after applying will disrupt the skin barrier, creating irritation and causing more harm than good.

Overall, applying products in the wrong order may seem like a trivial mistake, but it can make them less effective. Particularly when it comes to the size of each products’ molecules (serums are smaller so penetrate deeper, whilst moisturisers and oils are larger to ‘lock’ everything in), putting lighter products on top of heavier formulas will deactivate them all together. And where’s the fun in that? Put simply, your skin and hip pocket will both thank you for perfecting the order in which you apply your skincare favourites.

Wait times are also important when it comes to your skincare. “Timing is everything when it comes to the efficacy of your skincare products,” says Marcello. “You want to allow a few minutes for them to penetrate otherwise you are just going to be mixing a cocktail of products on the surface of the skin.”

The best way to tell if you’re ready to apply the next product? Wait for each step to feel ‘dry’ to the touch on your skin. This means at least the surface layer has drunk it up and you can move on to your next step. So, prioritise you-time and break up your skincare routine with making your morning coffee or indulging in your late night snack.