Skin Care Steps in the Right Order (The Simple Routine That Actually Works)

I used to bounce between steps or try whatever I saw online… a serum here, a toner there, sometimes nothing at all.

Honestly, for years I didn’t know what went where, or even that I didn’t know. 

I just wanted healthy skin, not a shelf full of products. (Although yes, sometimes I did want the shelf full of products… it made me feel like I was doing something right for my skin, a lie.)

That was before I properly got into the world of natural health and beauty. I studied, trained, and eventually got all my certificates. I dove deep until I actually understood how skin works and what it really needs…

So, if any of that sounds familiar, I’m glad you’re here, because this is the guide I wish I’d had at the start!

This isn’t about flawless skin or 10-step routines you can’t stick to (let’s be honest, who can keep that up for years? Not me.) 

It’s about helping your skin function well, using gentle, natural steps without all the overwhelm.

Whether your skin’s dry, oily, or somewhere in between, this routine will make sense. It’s simple, clear, and built around what your skin actually needs.

Let’s take the guesswork out of it and get back to the basics…

…in the right order.

Why the order actually matters (and how it affects your skin)

It’s not just about “putting things on your face”. The order you apply your skincare really does matter.

Each product has a different texture, weight, and role. 

If you apply them in the wrong order, the lighter ones (like watery serums or toners) can’t get through the heavier layers (like oils or creams). That means they just sit on top, yes, doing very little, or even…argh: nothing.

What’s even worse, some combinations can actually MESS with your skin barrier. 

That’s when you start seeing things like tightness, redness, breakouts, or that weird “shiny but dry” feeling.

Getting the order RIGHT means:

• Your skin gets the full benefit of each product
• Everything absorbs properly, layer by layer
• You’re not wasting your time or money
• You avoid irritation or overload

It’s like feeding your skin in the right sequence: a glass of water before the meal, not after dessert.

So if you’ve ever thought “this product isn’t working”, it might not be the product. 

It might just be the order.

Let’s fix that.

Morning routine: protect and support your skin

Your skin’s main job during the day is Protection. 

It’s constantly dealing with pollution, sun exposure, weather, and whatever else the day throws at it. 

So your morning routine is all about supporting that role (as you can see, it makes sense): gently cleansing, hydrating, and, yes, shielding.

You don’t need many products for this. You just need the right ones, in the RIGHT order.

Here’s what a healthy, no-fuss morning routine looks like (follow it and you’ll see the difference):

1. Cleanser

Wash off any oil, sweat or residue from the night before.

Tip: If your skin feels calm and clean in the morning, you can splash with lukewarm water or use a super gentle cleanser, especially if you’ve done a proper cleanse the night before.

2. Toner (optional but helpful)

This helps hydrate, refresh, and rebalance your skin, especially if your tap water is hard or a bit drying. It also preps your skin to absorb whatever comes next.

You don’t need anything fancy here. I often use a floral water (like rose or chamomile), or sometimes I just make a cup of herbal tea and let it cool. Then I use it as a toner. 

The ingredient depends on how I feel that day.

As a quick guide:

• Chamomile: calms and soothes sensitive or irritated skin
• Green tea: great for skin that’s feeling oily or inflamed. Mature skin also.
• Peppermint: refreshing and helps with congestion
• Rose: gentle, balancing, and lightly hydrating for all skin types, including mature.

Just soak a reusable cotton pad or press the cooled tea directly onto your skin with clean hands. 

It’s simple, natural, and honestly feels lovely.

You don’t have to use a toner… but if you enjoy it, this can be a quiet, grounding step in your morning.

I personally love it.

3. Serum (only if you want to add one)

If your skin feels a bit dull, dehydrated, or uneven, this is the step to include a vitamin C serum, a hydrating boost (like hyaluronic acid), or any specific support your skin might benefit from.

Totally optional, and not essential for everyone.

4. Moisturiser

This keeps your skin nourished and helps prevent water loss through the day. Look for something lightweight but protective.

You don’t need anything heavy unless your skin’s feeling very dry!!

5. Sunscreen (non-negotiable)

The most important product in your morning routine. It protects from UV damage, which is one of the biggest causes of premature ageing and skin barrier breakdown, even on cloudy days.

Use a mineral or natural SPF if you prefer to avoid synthetic filters. I make my own with zinc oxide.

Remember: Sunscreen always goes last in your morning routine. Don’t mix it with your moisturiser… let each one do its job.

That’s it. Simple, supportive, effective.

You’ll walk out the door with your skin feeling protected, calm, and not overloaded.

Next: nighttime routine.

Evening routine is all about cleansing, support, and letting your skin rest!

Evening skincare is where the real reset happens.

During the day, your skin collects everything, meaning sweat, grime, pollution, SPF, makeup (I stopped wearing make up many years ago)… 

But, it all builds up. 

Nighttime is when your skin works hardest to repair itself, so the goal here is to clean gently, nourish properly, and then let it do its thing.

Here’s the evening routine, step by step:

1. First cleanse (if you wore makeup or SPF)

If you’ve had sunscreen or makeup on, start with something that breaks it down. 

An oil cleanser, cleansing balm, or even micellar water works well here.

You’re not trying to strip your skin, just lift off the day without rubbing or scrubbing.

Note: If you didn’t wear makeup or SPF, you can skip straight to the next step!

2. Second cleanse

This is your proper cleanse, yes, the one that REALLY gets into your pores and removes anything that’s left.

Use a gentle cream, gel or mild cleanser suited to your skin type. No foam, no harsh surfactants, no squeaky-clean feeling. Just clean, soft skin.

3. Toner or herbal mist

Same as the morning, this helps bring hydration back after cleansing. I often use a gentle floral water or cooled herbal infusion, like chamomile or rose. 

It’s calming and helps your skin feel balanced again.

4. Serum or treatment (if your skin needs something extra)

Evening is the best time to use anything slightly more active.

You might choose:

• A gentle acid to smooth skin texture
• A calming botanical serum for redness
• A nourishing oil-based serum if your skin feels dry or tired

You don’t need to rotate through everything…. Just pick one thing that supports what your skin is asking for.

That simple.

5. Moisturiser or oil

This seals everything in and gives your skin that final comfort before bed.

At night, I often switch to something a little richer or I might use a few drops of facial oil (like jojoba or rosehip) instead of a cream.

If you use both a moisturiser and a facial oil, the oil goes last. Oils help seal in moisture, not the other way around.

6. Optional extras

If you like using an eye cream, overnight mask, or spot treatment, this is where they go. Not essential, but nice if you want a little extra support.

That’s it. Your skin doesn’t need much. Just a clean surface, a bit of nourishment, and space to do what it already knows how to do.

Common mistakes that can mess with your skin (even if you’re doing “all the right things”…)

It’s easy to follow every trend, try every product, and still feel like your skin’s not improving. 

Sometimes it’s not about what you’re using… 

It’s about how.

Here are some of the most common mistakes I see (and yes, I’ve made some of them too):

Using too many products at once

More isn’t always better. Layering five serums and three creams can leave your skin confused, clogged, or overstimulated.

Try this instead: Stick to fewer, well-chosen products and give your skin time to adjust.

Applying products in the wrong order

Putting oil before your toner or serum? That blocks the water-based steps from sinking in.

Quick reminder: Lightest to heaviest. Watery things first, oils and creams last.

Skipping sunscreen

This one’s huge. Even if you’ve done everything else right, if you don’t protect your skin from UV damage, it all gets undone.

Yes, even in winter. Yes, even on cloudy days.

Changing your routine too often

Trying something new every few days won’t give your skin time to settle. Sometimes what you’re using is working, you just haven’t stuck with it long enough to see the results.

Try to give a new routine at least 2–4 weeks, unless it’s causing irritation.

Ignoring your skin’s signals

Tightness, itchiness, redness, breakouts… these are your skin’s way of saying “something’s not working.” 

It might be too much exfoliation, a product that’s too harsh, or just doing too much at once.

Getting the basics right — cleanse, hydrate, protect — already puts you ahead of the game. You don’t need perfection. Just consistency, simplicity, and a bit of patience.

A final note: keep it simple, listen to your skin

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: your skin knows what it’s doing. 

You don’t have to do everything. You just have to support it.

You don’t need a drawer full of products. You don’t need to follow what everyone else is doing.

And you definitely don’t need to feel overwhelmed.

Stick to the basics. Cleanse gently, hydrate properly, protect in the morning, and give your skin space to rest at night.

That’s where the real results happen, the calm, clear, quietly healthy skin that doesn’t demand attention.

Try this routine for a couple of weeks. Pay attention to how your skin feels, not just how it looks.

And tweak as needed. Not based on trends, but based on your skin’s own signals.

Want to go a step further? I’ve got a full guide with natural DIY skincare recipes that fit beautifully into this routine. 

You’ll find simple formulas using real ingredients easy, soothing, and totally doable at home.

Ready? Here’s the article!