In what order should you apply facial treatments?

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Following the correct order of facial care is the key to a truly effective skincare routine. Each product has a specific texture and function, and applying your treatments from the lightest to the richest ensures optimal absorption of each active ingredient.

Whether you follow your routine in the morning or at night, the order of application plays an essential role in skin balance, complexion radiance, and preventing aging. Cleanser, toner, serum, targeted treatment, moisturizer, sun protection: each step is important.

At Nohèm, we have selected natural and organic formulas to accompany every step of your ritual, from the first application to the final protection.

The ideal order at a glance

1 - Facial cleanser

2 - Toner

3 - Serum (concentrated active ingredients)

4 - Targeted treatments (eye contour, etc.)

5 - Moisturizer

6 - Sun protection (morning)

1. Facial cleanser

The first essential step in any facial routine is cleansing. It removes impurities, excess sebum, makeup residue, and pollution accumulated throughout the day. Effective cleansing prepares the skin to receive subsequent treatments and promotes their absorption.

Choose a gentle cleanser adapted to your skin type : purifying gel for oily or combination skin, nourishing milk for dry and mature skin, light foam for sensitive skin. Overly aggressive cleansing can weaken the skin's barrier.

💡 Nohèm Tip: Incorporate an exfoliating treatment 1 to 2 times a week after cleansing. It removes dead skin cells, smooths skin texture, and restores complexion radiance. The Nohèm gentle cleansing brush amplifies the effectiveness of this step.

2. Toner

Often underestimated, toner is nonetheless a key step. It rebalances the skin's pH after cleansing, removes any remaining residue, and prepares the skin to receive the active ingredients from serums. Well-toned skin better absorbs subsequent treatments.

Toners hydrate, soothe, and refresh. Depending on your skin type: alcohol-free for sensitive or dry skin, purifying for oily skin, plumping for mature skin. Apply with gentle pats with your hands or on a cotton pad.

💡 Well-prepared skin absorbs up to 40% more of the active ingredients from the serums that follow. This step is not optional; it's an investment for the rest of your routine.

3. Serums

Serums are the most concentrated active treatments in your routine. Their light texture allows them to penetrate deep into the skin layers to target specific concerns: intensive hydration, radiance, anti-aging, imperfections.

Apply them to clean, slightly damp skin for maximum absorption. Choose your serum according to your needs: anti-aging with firming active ingredients, radiance to revive the complexion, or purifying for imperfections.

💡 Nohèm's gesture: Pair your serum with a white jade Gua Sha or an obsidian stick to drain, tone, and maximize active ingredient penetration. A ritualistic, effective, and soothing gesture.

4. Targeted treatments

Targeted treatments are applied after serums, to areas that require particular attention. This is the stage for specialized treatments: eye contour treatment for dark circles and puffiness, anti-blemish treatments on affected areas, or targeted anti-aging actives on expression lines.

Apply these treatments only to the affected areas or as directed by the product. The eye contour area is particularly delicate: use your ring finger (the weakest) for very gentle patting.

5. Moisturizer:

Moisturizer is the sealing treatment in your routine. It locks in the hydration provided by previous steps, strengthens the skin barrier, and maintains skin elasticity. It ensures lasting comfort throughout the day or night.

Choose a texture adapted to your skin type and the season: light and mattifying for combination to oily skin, rich and nourishing for dry skin, soothing for sensitive skin.

💡 Night vs. Day: at night, opt for a richer formula — skin naturally regenerates during sleep and better absorbs nourishing active ingredients.

6. Sun protection (in the morning)

Sun protection is the last step in your morning routine, and the most important for preserving your skin's youth in the long term. UV rays are responsible for 80% of visible skin aging: pigment spots, wrinkles, loss of firmness.

Apply SPF 50 protection every morning, even in winter, even on cloudy days. UVA rays (aging) pass through clouds and windows. It is the most effective anti-aging gesture there is.

💡 Apply sunscreen as the last step, after moisturizer, in a generous layer. Do not incorporate it into your cream — they have different modes of action.

Additional tips:

- Application frequency: Most products can be used twice a day, but be sure to follow the specific instructions for each product and listen to your skin's needs.
- Patience: Give each product time to absorb into your skin before applying the next. This ensures optimal effectiveness and prevents product mixing.
- Adaptability: Customize your routine based on your skin's changing needs. For example, adjust your routine according to seasons or hormonal fluctuations.

The complete Nohèm facial routine

By following this ideal order for applying your facial care and choosing products adapted to your skin type and specific concerns, you can help your skin stay healthy, radiant, and nourished throughout the year. Remember that regularity is key to achieving the best results, so commit to taking care of your skin daily!

FAQ: Order of facial care

Why is it necessary to follow a precise order in your facial routine?

Each product has a different texture and specific active ingredients. Following the order from lightest to richest allows for better absorption (especially for serums), enhanced effectiveness, and a coherent routine that respects the skin's natural needs. A serum applied after a rich cream will barely penetrate, wasting all the concentrated active ingredients..

What's the difference between morning and evening routines?

In the morning, we prepare the skin to face external aggressions: pollution, sun, makeup. The routine always ends with sun protection. In the evening, the skin naturally regenerates — it's the ideal time for richer treatments, anti-aging serums, or nourishing oils. You can discover our anti-aging treatments specially formulated for night.

What treatments should I apply if I have oily skin?

Opt for a gentle purifying cleanser, an astringent but non-aggressive toner, a sebum-regulating serum, a light and mattifying cream, and non-comedogenic sun protection. A common mistake: overloading the skin, thinking it needs less hydration. Dehydrated oily skin produces even more sebum as compensation.
→ Nohèm combination to oily skin care

What if I have dry or mature skin?

For dry skin, turn to treatments rich in hyaluronic acid, plant oils, and shea butter. For mature skin, integrate targeted active ingredients (retinol, collagen, Gatuline) from the serum stage. Plant oils are applied after cream or alone in the evening as the last treatment.
→ Nohèm mature skin care

Do you really need to apply sunscreen every day?

Yes, even when it's not sunny. UV rays are responsible for 80% of skin aging. Applying sun protection every morning helps preserve skin youth, prevent pigment spots, and reduce the risk of skin cancer. It is the most effective and often the most neglected anti-aging gesture.
→ Nohèm natural SPF 50 protection

How do I choose the right products for my skin type?

Observe your skin over time: a good product does not feel tight, cause redness or breakouts, and leaves the skin comfortable and radiant. Always test on a small area before incorporating a new product. And if you have any doubts, our beauty quiz will guide you to products truly suited to your needs.
→ Take the Nohèm skin diagnostic