When it comes to skincare, most of us have the basics covered: cleanse, moisturise, (hopefully) SPF. But once serums, treatments, and masks enter the mix, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. What goes on after cleanser? When should I exfoliate? And do I even need a toner? Below, we demystify the when and why of every skincare step from AM to PM.
The Layering Trick
A general rule of thumb: layer your skincare from the thinnest to the thickest consistency. The lighter, more water-based products should go on first, allowing them to penetrate deeply. While thicker, more occlusive products like moisturisers come last to lock everything in.
AM / PM ROUTINE
No surprises here—your skincare routine should always begin with a good cleanse to sweep away any oils, dirt, and buildup. Even without makeup or pollution exposure, your skin can accumulate grime, sweat and dead skin cells overnight, so a morning cleanse preps it perfectly for the next steps in your skincare regimen. At night, it's equally important to double cleanse—especially if you've been wearing makeup and sunscreen all day. Typically, a double cleanse consists of an oil or balm cleanser first, followed by your cleanser of choice to remove any leftover residue.
Reach For: 1. Tribe Skincare Makeup Remover Mitt, 2. Tribe Skincaare Gentle Balm Cleanser
Exfoliating should be done in the evenings after cleansing and before applying toners, serums or moisturisers. Your skin sheds dead cells every 30 days, allowing fresh, new cells to rise to the surface. But when dead cells overstay their welcome, it can lead to dullness, dryness, and flaky patches. That’s where exfoliation comes in—buffing away lacklustre cells and unclogging pores to reveal the fresher, smoother skin underneath. But everything in moderation: exfoliate no more than once or twice a week to avoid damaging the skin barrier.
Reach For: Tribe Skincare Resurfacing 2-in-1 Exfoliator
Even in a minimalist skincare routine, toners play a vital role in balancing your skin's natural pH and helping restore its protective barrier, which can be impacted by water and cleansers. Aside from helping ingredients to be better absorbed, toners can minimise the appearance of pores and provide a burst of hydration, leaving your skin feeling refreshed. Just be sure to avoid alcohol-based toners, especially if you have sensitive skin, as they can be drying and stripping.
Reach For: Toning 2-in-1 Hydration Spritz
Best used 1-2 times a week after cleansing and before serums, face masks can plump, purify, and replenish your skin, leaving it feeling pampered and revitalised. Whether you’re calming sensitive skin or giving your complexion a glow-up, a good face mask will deliver a concentrated dose of active ingredients to tackle specific concerns.
Reach For: Intense Hydration Mask
- Serum ⏰AM/PM (Daily)
Next up, face serums—the heavy lifters of your routine. Unlike moisturisers, which work on the surface, serums are made with smaller molecules that penetrate the deeper layers of the skin to target specific concerns like dryness, breakouts, dullness, or aging. In the morning, reach for a protective serum with vitamin C to guard against environmental stressors like pollution and UV rays. At night, a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid is a win for all skin types. Just give it 1-2 minutes to fully sink in before layering on your next product.
Reach For: 1. Brightening Vitamin C Serum, 2. Calming Hydration Serum
No matter your skin type—whether oily, acne-prone, dry, or flaky—moisturiser is a must. Beyond just hydrating, it creates an occlusive seal on your skin, preventing water loss and amplifying the effects of any treatments applied earlier. In the morning, a lighter layer is best to keep your skin comfortable without feeling heavy, while at night, a richer formula—or even a facial oil—works best to support your skin's natural repair process as you sleep so you awake with plump, radiant skin.
Reach For: 1. Ultimate Hydrating Moisturiser, 2. Repairing Facial Oil
If one skincare product truly takes the crown, it's sunscreen. Why? Because it shields your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, the culprits behind premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer. No matter your age, skin type, or routine, daily sunscreen is a must for everyone. Make it the final step in your morning routine to keep your skin protected all day long.
Reach For: 1. Cancer Council Hydration Boost SPF50+, 2. Cancer Council Radiance Boost SPF50+
PSA (Public Skincare Announcement)
There's no magic number of products you need to use. Whether you're a skincare minimalist or an 11-step devotee, what really matters is applying them in the right order to get the most out of your skincare investment.
