How-to layer your skincare for optimal benefits
With all of the skincare choices on the market today, there’s still a hard and fast rule when it comes to the correct order for applying your skincare.
The sequence of your skincare application matters in order to maximize product absorption. It is recommended that you apply products from the lightest consistency (mists/toners, serums & gels) to the thickest (creams, heavy creams & oils). Following the proper order when applying skincare will allow your products to penetrate deeper into the skin barrier (or all the way into the epidermis if designed that way), avoid your products from pilling, and allow maximum protection for your microbiome.
We often get asked what’s the best way to apply Codex Beauty Lab products, so we’re breaking down the proper order for applying our plant-rich biotech products! (P.S. we also address the ever-popular question of when exactly to apply face mist in the routine.)
Correct Order for Applying Skincare — AM Routine
Step One: Cleanse
Cleansing is always the first step in your skincare routine. Begin your day by removing all nighttime impurities and any residue makeup with a morning cleanse. Washing your face in the AM allows you to remove sweat and excess oil, flakes, and particles that can sit deep in your pores, throw off your microbiome and result in acne, blackheads, etc. We like Antü Refreshing Gel Cleanser when it comes to deeply purifying your skin from particulate matter pollutants, preserving your skin barrier, and keeping your microbiome intact. Invigorating first thing in the morning, it can be used in or out of the shower for a rich, relaxing cleanse that doesn’t dry out your complexion. Made with our proprietary, potent M3™ complex to calm and alleviate redness, plus Quillay and Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate to amplify radiating moisture, it has the unique ability to decrease trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) to help keep your skin better hydrated.
Step Two: Face Mist
Facial mists work best after cleansing. Many have asked, at what point during the skincare application routine should facial mist be applied? We love spritzing our face mist right after cleansing to help jump-start our skincare routine and add a boost of hydration and calm irritation. Our Antü Radiance Mist not only sets the tone for the start of the day, but also gives a burst of comforting hydration when used at night (you lose more water when you sleep). Not just limited to your AM/PM routine, our face mist can be used over makeup and on the go for a refreshing pick-me-up and to smoothen your complexion. Designed to soften, tone, and make the skin more supple, AHA-rich Mombin Plum and Mango gently exfoliate and re-hydrate to refine the appearance of pores and liven tired skin.
Step Three: Eye Cream
Apply your eye cream before your serum. Layer on our lifting Antü Eye Cream to enrich the under eye with firming hydration, smooth out the surface, and reduce the appearance of dark circles for a brighter, more awakened appearance. Contains key actives like Muira Puama to promote even skin tone, Suma to reduce dark circles, and Dragon’s Blood to enhance skin elasticity.
Step Four: Serum
Always apply your lighter, more fluid skincare products before your heavier day or night creams. Once your complexion is clean and slightly damp, apply our Antü Brightening Serum for maximum absorption. Our light serum amplifies moisture while plumping, firming, and re-densifying—with a clinically-proven increase in hydration and decrease in skin flakiness. Packed with skin-loving ingredients like Hibiscus to relax and smooth expression lines, Cherimoya to soothe, calm, and rebalance skin, and Entadine for protection.
Step Five: Day Cream
Always apply your richest cream last in your skincare routine. We love protecting our complexion with our fortifying Antü Brightening Moisturizer to aid in UV recovery, refine the appearance of our pores and decrease moisture-robbing TEWL. We packed our day cream with M3TM Antioxidants, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin A to work as an all-in-one moisture-rich recovery cream to combat and protect against all environmental exposure.
Optional Step 6 (for winter or super dry skin): Oil
As a general rule, you should apply a facial oil after your creams or, if you don’t like creams, skip them and apply facial oil alone. Because oils are heavier than creams, we recommend applying Bia Nourishing Facial Oil after your cream to lock in max moisture. Our fast-absorbing, emollient-rich luxurious oil is enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids, together with Vitamins A and C to smooth, soften, and balance your skin.
Correct Order for Applying Skincare — PM Routine
Step One: Cleanse
Nighttime cleansing is essential for removing makeup and impurities. Our Bia Exfoliating Wash gently exfoliates to leave your complexion purified and polished versus congested, tight and dry. Bia Gentle Cleansing Oil is also the perfect addition for a double-cleansing routine guaranteed to not only rid your skin of stubborn makeup like waterproof mascara, but because its fortified with Vitamin E, Ceramides, and Fatty Acids gently soften it at the same time.
Step Two: Eye Cream
Amp up your under the eye game with our Bia Hydrating Eye Gel infused with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and rich minerals to cushion your delicate skin in de-puffing coolness. Pat gently to reduce the appearance of puffiness and wake up looking refreshed.
Step Three: Night Cream
Opt for a heavier cream at night like our Antü Brightening Night Cream to leave your skin looking and feeling radiant, nourished, hydrated, toned, and protected with key actives like M3TM Antioxidants, Hyaluronic Acid, and Omega-3 fatty acids. You can also use our ultra-hydrating Bia Skin Superfood also packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, together with Vitamin B12, and antioxidants to drench your skin in moisture, combat flakes, and ease irritated skin both day and night with this multi-use hydrator enriched with our patented BiaComplex™.
Step Four: Oil
As a general rule, you should apply facial oil after your cream—or you can apply facial oil alone at night. Oils are heavier than creams so apply Bia Nourishing Facial Oil after your heavy cream to further lock in moisture as you sleep. Our fast-absorbing, emollient-rich luxurious oil is enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamins A and C to smooth, soften, and balance your skin.
