Let me tell you something I see all the time as a skincare coach — a client will come in with fantastic products in their routine… but their skin still isn’t getting the results they want. And nine times out of ten? It comes down to one simple thing: order matters.

Layering your skincare correctly is everything. The way your skin is structured — with its protective outer layer (stratum corneum), deeper lipid barrier, and living cells beneath — means each product has to be applied in the right sequence to actually work.

If you’ve ever felt like your expensive serum “just sits there” or your moisturizer pills on top of your sunscreen… you’re not alone. Let’s walk through the right way to layer your skincare — and I’ll share a few pro tips that make all the difference.

Start Clean: Oil Cleanser + Foaming Cleanser

First things first: your skin needs a clean, clear surface so that everything else can absorb properly.

If you’re wearing makeup, sunscreen, or if you live in a city with pollution, start with an oil cleanser — like our Cleansing Oil — to melt away oils and impurities without stripping your skin.

Next, follow with a Foaming Cleanser to sweep away any residue and leave your skin perfectly prepped. (For those of you who love a clean, fresh feeling — this is it.) Make sure whatever foaming cleanser you’re using doesn’t leave your skin feeling “squeaky clean”! Cleansers that leave your skin feeling that way typically are using a surfactant (cleansing agent) that is too harsh. So, not only is it removing dirt and bacteria, but most likely the precious oils and good bacteria that’s produced by your skin. So, in otherwards, it’s STRIPPING your skin and not in a good way!

Our packaging makes this easy: both of these products are labeled #1 — so if you choose to double cleanse (and trust me, in Colorado’s dusty, dry air, I do!) you’ll use two #1s first.

Toner or Tonic

After cleansing, your skin’s pH can shift slightly. A toner or tonic helps rebalance and preps your skin to better receive serums. Toner is more astringent, so if you’re looking to absorb excess oil or if you have naturally oily skin then toner is for you. If you have dry or mature skin stick to Tonics. They add botanical nutrients and moisture to skin instead of drying the skin.

Here’s a little tip: skin behaves like a sponge. When it’s slightly damp, it absorbs serums and treatments more effectively. So, don’t skip this step — a good mist of toner or tonic is your friend. (Look for #2 on our bottles.)

Feed the Skin: High-Performance Serums

Now we get to the “why did I invest in these amazing products” part — the serums.

Because serums are packed with actives — hyaluronic acid, ceramides, CoQ10, bakuchiol — you want them as close to your skin as possible. This is where the magic happens: hydration, plumping, smoothing those pesky under eye wrinkles, and helping repair your skin barrier. ALWAYS apply products with actives before moisturizers! You want actives on your skin as early in your routine as possible so they have the maximum opportunity to absorb deeply into the skin! Actives are targeted towards your personal skincare concerns. So, by placing them early in your routine they have the best chance of working!

Apply serums while your skin is still slightly damp from toner or tonic. You can absolutely layer — for example, I personally love using both the Barrier Defense Serum and Age Defense Serum (yes, two #3s!) because they complement each other so beautifully.

Seal It In: Moisturizers

Think of your moisturizers as the “seal” that locks in hydration and active ingredients. They also protect your skin barrier from environmental stress.

In drier climates (hello, Colorado friends), it’s perfectly fine — even smart — to use two #4 products. For example, our Face Cream plus our Beauty Balm at night helps me wake up feeling soft and hydrated, not tight or dry. Our moisturizers contain occlusives. And, if you’ve been following along with our articles, you may remember we wrote about how important occlusives are in your routine! (Read that article HERE)

Don’t Forget SPF

Even though we don’t make it ourselves, we always recommend Think Sunscreen — it’s one of the cleanest, most effective options we’ve found. Your morning routine is never complete without this step!

Remember: UV damage is the #1 cause of premature aging. If you’re using the best wrinkle cream, serums, and barrier creams but skipping SPF — you’re undoing all that good work.

Bonus: The Ultimate At-Home Facial

If you REALLY want to make sure you products are working and absorbing deeply so you get the maximum results, remember to do a weekly exfoliating routine! Your body sheds about 30,000 skin cells a day! After a while those dead skin cells build up and block your skincare from doing it’s job effectively. It’s also nice to give yourself a mini spa day at home! Here’s what I recommend:

1. Start with a Clay Mask — this helps detoxify and draw out impurities.

2. Follow with an Enzyme Mask — this works like tiny Pac-Men, loosening dead skin cells.

3. Finish with our Bamboo Face Polish — this gently removes any lingering dead skin for that fresh, smooth feeling.

After this trio, your skin will feel like you just had a professional facial — soft, bright, and ready to drink in your serums and moisturizers.

A Quick Note on Our Packaging

We know layering can feel overwhelming at first. That’s why all of our Simple Body products are numbered to help guide your routine — so you always know which step comes next.

And remember, your routine can flex with your skin’s needs:

• Double cleanse? No problem: two #1s.

• Drier day? Add a second #4.

• Variety of skincare concerns? Go for two #3s — that’s exactly what I do!

The most important thing is consistency — and giving your skin what it needs, when it needs it.

The Takeaway

Layering your skincare is about more than just order — it’s about understanding how your skin works, respecting the science, and using proven skincare products that actually deliver results.

And when you get it right? The difference shows — smoother texture, fewer under eye wrinkles, a strong barrier, and healthy, resilient skin that makes you feel confident every single day.

Do you have questions about how you’re layering your products? Send me an email! Jewels@simplebodyproducts.com

xoxo
Jewels