How Long to Wait Between Each Skincare Step?

You may already know about skincare product layering and have a specific order for your routine. But do you know how long to wait between each skincare step? From sweeping away makeup and daily grime with a cleansing balm to spritzing your face with a refreshing Soothing Apricot Toner, let’s explore timings within your skincare routine.

Before we look at how long to leave between each of your skincare steps, it’s important to understand how the order of your products affects your complexion. The most effective skincare products contain active ingredients that offer plentiful benefits. However, your skin needs to be able to absorb all that goodness — whether it’s hydrating Padina Pavonica, soothing rose, or shielding SPF.

It makes sense to use a cleanser first to lift and remove traces of makeup, oil, and visible pollutants. This clears the way, leaving your complexion ready to take in the rest of your skincare products. But to get the most out of each serum, moisturiser, or eye cream — whether it’s your morning or night skincare order — you also want to think about applying the lightest products first and building up to the heavier formulas.

We all have rushed mornings where we need to dash about and apply skincare products as quickly as possible. The same goes for nighttime routines when we’ve had a long day and want to cuddle up under the duvet with nothing more than a cursory rinse of the face. However, to get the best results from your skincare products, it’s wise to slow the process down a little, to let your complexion soak up the nutrients, and allow each product to have its moment in the spotlight before you apply the next.

You may also find that some products tend to collect and become patchy if you apply the next step too quickly. The question is, do you let each layer of skincare dry before the next? Or should each product still be slightly wet as you apply the next step?

The answer? Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but we can offer some guidance to help you benefit as much as possible from your skincare formulas and ingredients. Here’s how long to wait before applying each particular product.

If cleansing (or double-cleansing) should be the first step in your routine, let’s jump to toner. This one is nice and straightforward — you can sweep your favourite toner over your face right after cleansing. We generally recommend soaking a cotton pad or a reusable alternative with your toner and then wiping it across your face and neck to help remove final traces of stubborn makeup.

Secondly, when should you use a serum in your skincare routine? To get the most out of a hydrating serum, it’s generally recommended to cleanse and tone, then wait a few seconds before applying your serum. Because serums tend to have a lighter consistency than moisturisers, it’s a good idea to use them first. We recommend, our new Pro-Collagen Future Restore Serum (infused with powerful marine actives) as it’s clinically proven to increase firmness by up to 46% in only 4 days.

How to use? Gently stroke in an upwards motion to smooth over your skin’s surface.

A minute is plenty of time for your serum to settle into your pores and work its magic. After this time, you can apply your favourite moisturiser. For ideal everyday hydration, we recommend our Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. Featuring our hero product, Padina Pavonica, this moisturiser works quickly to support the feeling of hydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The same principle applies to night creams, which can be layered after your serum in place of a daytime moisturiser. Night creams also tend to have a richer texture than day moisturisers, which means it can be helpful to let the product absorb for a few minutes before going to bed so you don’t end up with it all over your pillow!

The skin under your eyes has a different texture from the rest of your complexion. It’s very delicate, which means it often needs a little more TLC. With this in mind, it’s helpful to apply any eye creams or treatments very gently after moisturising.

Using the tip of your ring finger, delicately tap a small amount of your chosen treatment to your under-eye area — don’t rub it in.

For a cooling, brightening, and lifting effect, try the Pro-Collagen Vitality Eye Cream, which helps reduce the appearance of dark circles and wrinkles. Lightweight and non-greasy, this eye cream layers well under makeup.

SPF is essential all year round, so it’s important to find an effective sunscreen that doesn’t feel heavy or cloying. Our Pro-Collagen Skin Protection Fluid SPF 50 is lightweight yet powerful, offering broad-spectrum UV protection within a silky-smooth texture. This means it layers beautifully under makeup as well as offering hydration and protection on its own. But where does it fit in when it comes to your skincare routine steps?

Sunscreen should always be the last part of your daytime skincare routine. Once you’ve applied your moisturiser (and eye treatment if applicable), it’s a good idea to let it rest for around 5-10 minutes before going ahead with your sunscreen. This will help maximise the effects of both products and allow your sunscreen to create a protective barrier.

Just as it’s helpful to wait a few minutes between applying moisturiser and sunscreen, it’s a good idea to let your SPF sink in before starting your makeup routine. Allowing your sunscreen to absorb fully ensures that it forms an even, protective barrier on your skin, enhancing its effectiveness. It will also provide a smoother base for your foundation or other cosmetics. This small step can make a significant difference in maintaining your skin's health and ensuring a flawless makeup application.

At ELEMIS, we believe that skincare should be both practical and luxurious, tailored to meet the unique needs of your skin. From our sumptuous Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm to our award-winning Superfood Midnight Facial, our range has something for all skin types, making it easy to create a skincare routine that's perfect for you. By layering our products in the correct order and giving each step time to absorb, you can fully benefit from our advanced formulas and botanical ingredients.

Explore our collection and find the perfect skincare staples for your complexion.