How to Layer Your Skincare for Maximum Results
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Time to read 5 min
A simple guide to skincare layering that helps hydration, glow and long term skin confidence without overcomplicating your routine.
Table of Contents
Skincare layering is not about piling on products for the sake of it. It is about applying formulas in an order that helps them do their job properly, so your skin feels calm, supported, and consistently hydrated.
If you have ever wondered why a serum feels like it is just sitting on top, or why your skin still feels dry after moisturising, the order is often the missing piece.
The golden rule of layering
Layer from lightest to richest.
Water based formulas first, then oils and balms last.
Why it matters
Water based products deliver hydration and actives. Oils and richer layers help seal that goodness in and reduce moisture loss.
Step by step layering order
1. Cleanse
Cleansing is the foundation of any good routine. It removes make up, SPF, and daily impurities so the products that follow can absorb properly and work as intended.
In the evening, an oil based cleanser is especially effective, as it lifts everything away without disrupting the skin barrier or leaving skin feeling tight.
Try: 24 Carat Cleanser
How to use:
Massage onto dry skin using slow, circular movements. Add warm water to emulsify, then rinse thoroughly. If you enjoy a double cleanse, follow with a gentle second cleanse, particularly at night.
2. Tone or mist (optional)
A hydrating mist or toner can add comfort and help serums spread more evenly. If you do not use one, no stress. Go straight to serums on slightly damp skin.
How to use:
Mist directly onto the face or press into skin with clean hands immediately after cleansing.
3. Treat with a serum
Serums are your targeted step. This is where you focus on barrier support, glow, calming, or visible bounce, depending on what your skin needs most.
For daily support and resilience, reach for a serum that strengthens and soothes.
Try: Rescue Serum
If your skin is craving radiance and a smoother looking texture, choose a glow focused serum that helps revitalise tired, lacklustre skin.
Try: Spellbind Serum
For visible plumpness and long lasting hydration, a deeply hydrating serum helps skin feel cushioned, supple, and comfortable throughout the day.
Try: Ultra Hydrating Serum
How to use
Apply one to two pumps to face and neck. Press gently into the skin rather than rubbing, especially if your skin is sensitive or reactive. You can use one serum at a time, or layer lighter textures first if combining.
- Serums are water based and formulated to deliver active ingredients efficiently into the skin.
- Applying them first allows better absorption before richer textures are layered on top.
- Oils and balms used too early can slow the penetration of lighter formulas.
- Early application helps serums work as intended, rather than sitting on the surface.
4. Moisturise (or hydrate deeply)
Some routines need a traditional cream moisturiser. Others do brilliantly with a hydrating serum plus oil, especially if you prefer a lighter, more breathable finish.
If your “moisturiser” step is a hydrating serum, apply it here, then seal with oil in the next step.
5. Seal with a face oil
Face oils are designed to seal in hydration and help reduce moisture loss, leaving skin feeling soft, supple, and supported. This step is particularly valuable in colder weather or if your skin is prone to dryness.
Used correctly, oils do not suffocate the skin. They act as a protective layer that supports the work done by your serums and hydration underneath.
Try: Skin Saviour and Solstice Facial Oils
How to use
Warm four to six drops between palms, then press over face and neck. Use less than you think you need and add more only if your skin wants it.
- Face oils help seal in hydration and reduce transepidermal water loss.
- They support the skin barrier by forming a protective layer on the skin’s surface
- Applying oil last ensures serums and moisturisers are not blocked from absorbing.
- Used correctly, oils enhance comfort and glow without suffocating the skin.
6. Time to Glow!
If you enjoy a luminous finish, this is the final step in your skincare routine. Glow products can enhance radiance and give skin a healthy, rested appearance.
Try: Glow Illuminator
Pro tip
Mix a tiny amount into your moisturiser or oil for a softer, lit from within look.
7. Finish with a night balm
A night balm is your final protective step in the evening, designed to seal everything in and support skin repair while you sleep. Richer than an oil, balms create a breathable occlusive layer that helps prevent overnight moisture loss and leaves skin feeling deeply comforted by morning.
This step is especially beneficial if your skin feels dry, sensitised, or depleted, or during colder months when central heating and weather can take their toll.
How to use
Warm a small amount between your fingertips until it softens, then press gently over face and neck as the final step in your routine. Use after serums and oils, and only at night. A little goes a long way.
Cleanse first, then apply lighter, water based products before richer textures, always finishing with oils or balms to seal everything in.
Use serums to target specific skin needs such as barrier support, hydration, or glow, adjusting your choices as your skin changes.
Keep layering simple and intentional, allowing each step to absorb so your routine supports long term skin health rather than overwhelming it.
Layering by skin type
If your skin is dry or tight
Prioritise hydration plus sealing.
Cleanse, Hydrating Serum, then Facial Oil.
If your skin is oily or congestion prone
Keep layers light.
Cleanse, Skin Saviour Facial Oil, morning and night.
If your skin is sensitive or reactive
Fewer steps, more consistency.
Cleanse, Rescue Serum, morning and night. Avoid constant product switching.
If your skin looks dull
Focus on consistent cleansing, daily hydrating serum use, and a glow finish.
Add: Glow Illuminator as the final step.
Common layering mistakes
Applying oil too early
Oil first can make it harder for water based products to sink in. Save oils for the end.
Using too much product
More is not better. Overapplying can lead to pilling, stickiness, and congestion.
Rushing between layers
Give each layer 30 to 60 seconds to settle. If you go straight from serum to oil instantly, it can feel like everything is sliding around.
Skipping the neck
Your neck and chest deserve the same care so don't forget to extend every step downwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to wait between layers?
A short pause helps, especially before oil. Aim for 30 to 60 seconds, or until the previous layer feels lightly absorbed.
Can I use face oil instead of moisturiser?
Often, yes. Many people do beautifully with a hydrating serum plus oil. If your skin still feels tight, add a moisturiser underneath.
Why is my skincare pilling
Common causes are too much product, not allowing layers to settle, or incompatible textures. Use less and press rather than rub.
What order should I apply glow products?
Glow products can either be used as a base, under makeup, or tapped onto high points to accentuate bone structure.
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The Author: Charlotte Harvey
Charlotte Harvey, co-founder of Raven Botanicals, brings a rich education in botany to our natural skincare formulations.
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