How to Layer Skincare Products to Get the Most out of Your Routine

The order in which you apply skincare products plays a key role in their effectiveness and your overall results. Below is a general layering guide for optimal skin health.

Important: This routine is intended for individuals without Malassezia-related conditions such as fungal acne (Malassezia Folliculitis), eczema (Atopic Dermatitis), dandruff (Seborrheic Dermatitis), Pityriasis Versicolor, razor bumps, hot tub rash, or barber’s itch. If you’re dealing with any of these, it’s essential to first address Malassezia yeast overgrowth with a targeted routine: A Good Skincare Routine for MALASSEZIA-AFFECTED SKIN.

• Cleanser: Start by cleansing your skin with a gentle cleanser. I recommend double cleansing. For the first cleanse, use an oil cleanser to remove dirt, oil, sunscreen, and makeup. Then use a hydrating cleanser to gently remove invisible debris and leave behind humectants that bind water to the skin. In the morning, it’s fine to skip the oil cleanser and just use a hydrating cleanser.
• Exfoliating Mask: The skin can benefit from a little extra exfoliation once or twice a week to remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells. Gently removing the outer layer allows the skin to absorb nutrients more easily and can help reveal fresher skin. But be careful! Just because the outer “dead” layers do not have a nucleus does not mean that you don’t need them! Avoid scrubs, anything with a high pH (such as baking soda or soap) or low pH (such as skin peels), and anything that dries the skin. I really like Corum Barrier Repair Manuka Mud Dead Sea Skin Polish because it uses all-natural ingredients to gently exfoliate without drying.
• Serum: Serums are concentrated products that target specific skin concerns such as wrinkles, oiliness, dark spots, or acne. They can be water-based or oil-based. All water-based products need to be applied before oil-based products to allow the active ingredients in water-based products to be absorbed. If water is applied on top of oil, the water, and active ingredients in the water, will just sit on the surface and not go into the skin.
• Moisturizer with Oil and Butter: Moisturizers containing natural plant oils and butters nourish the skin and support a healthy barrier. Here’s how different types compare:
  Lotions: Mostly water with a small amount of oil—lightweight and fast-absorbing.
  Creams: A balanced mix of oil and water, with more oil than lotions—ideal for moderate dryness.
  Oil Serums: Pure blends of oils—great for sealing in moisture and adding glow.
  Soft Balms: Rich blends of oils and butters—feel like heavy creams and offer deep hydration.
  The drier your skin, the more oil your moisturizer should contain. Just be sure to choose the right kinds of plant oils to promote skin barrier repair.
• Wax and Butter Balms:  Wax and Butter Balms are solid moisturizers that help protect, nourish, and seal in moisture. These are especially useful on the lips, around the eyes, and on the arms, legs, and feet. Apply these balms after other skincare products—they form a breathable seal that keeps beneficial ingredients in and environmental irritants out. Because balms stay on the skin longer than lotions or creams, they’re ideal for targeted treatments. That’s why deodorants come in stick form—and why Corum Zit Zap works so well.
• Sunscreen: Sunscreen shields your skin from harmful UV rays that contribute to premature aging, sun spots, and skin cancer. For oily or acne-prone skin, opt for a mineral powder sunscreen and apply it with a clean sponge. Due to ongoing concerns about chemical sunscreen safety, mineral-based options—whether powder or liquid—are a safer choice for most people. Reapply every two hours during sun exposure. Depending on your moisturizer and sunscreen type, you may need to apply sunscreen underneath rather than on top. Try both methods to see which works best for your skin.