My Skincare Order of Application + Favorite Products

Step 1: Cleanser

I was always a grab-whatever-I-find at the drugstore kind of girl when it came to cleanser. Honestly, if my face feels and looks clean without feeling too dry, I'm good to go. I first tried Tula's Purifying Facial Cleanser a few years back and immediately loved it. Smells great, and leaves your skin feeling really clean (Code DANIELLEGERVINO for 15% off).

Another favorite that I sometimes swap for Tula is ItCosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser. The two are very similar products all-around.

Step 2: Toner

I previously strayed away from toner because I had used a handful of really drying toners in the past. Toners have come such a long way though, and help balance your skin's pH while acting as a delivery system for serums. I've used Fresh's Rose Deep Hydration Toner for years now. Smells amazing (it has actual fresh rose petals in it), keeps my skin nice and hydrated, and gets that excess dirt and oil off. I use this every morning and night and apply with these washable/reusable facial pads.

I also recently tried Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow Pore Tight Toner (smells like a watermelon margarita) which is great for hydrating and minimizing the appearance of pores.

Step 3: Serum

Rewind to 5+ years ago, I was definitely not using any type of serum. What I've come to love about serums, however, is that you get to pick your (what's the opposite of poison?), depending on your skin's needs. Think of serums as super-concentrated, nutrient-dense treatments for your skin.

As a rule of thumb, stick to a Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid)-based serum in the AM. These types of serums help prevent damage from free radicals (complicated AF atoms that cause damage to skin cells) that occur throughout the day. I currently use Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow Niacinimide Dew Drops and love the way they hydrate while adding a dewy finish to my skin. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum is a splurge, but one of the top reviewed Vitamin C serums of all time. If you're on a budget, try this one from Bliss!

RULE OF THUMB: use any serums containing keywords "antioxidant" in the AM and those containing keywords "anti-aging" in the PM.

Step 4: Eye Cream

When it comes to eye cream, consistency is key. Regular use helps keep the skin around your eyes elastic, which can help prolong those fine lines or collagen loss. I hadn't really settled on an eye cream I loved until I splurged on SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex. My key concerns are dark circles and fine lines, and this particular product targets just that. I've been using the product for months and have barely made a dent, so I do really feel like I'm getting what I paid for with this one.

Bliss' Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide eye cream is a great budget-friendly eye cream. Have also heard great things about Ole Henrikson's Banana Bright.

Step 5: Moisturizer

Moisturizer is the one product that I'm not totally set on and often switch up in my routine.  St. Ives Collagen Elastin Moisturizer is a $5 drugstore find that I've been using since college and always keep in my vanity.  Smells great, super hydrating without feeling oily, and delivers the perfect amount of moisture to my skin.

If you're looking for something a bit more concentrated for your skin, try Tula's Firming & Hydrating Moisturizer (code DANIELLEGERVINO) or ItCosmetics' top-rated Confidence in a Cream Hydrating Moisturizer.

Step 6: Sunscreen*

On makeup days, I will skip this step because my CC Cream contains an SPF 50+. However, on all other days, this is a vital step in my routine. This is important: your sunscreen may or may not come before your moisturizer depending on if it's a chemical sunscreen or a physical sunscreen (read more about which is better for your skin type in this post).

Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin, which then absorb UV rays, convert them into heat and release them from the body. Physical sunscreens, on the other hand, sit on top of your skin and reflect UV rays.

If you're using a chemical sunscreen, apply it before your moisturizer so it's able to penetrate the skin and do its job. If you apply it after moisturizer, it will hinder that absorption.

If you're using a physical sunscreen, apply it after your moisturizer so there's nothing sitting on top of it and blocking it from doing its job. If you apply it before moisturizer, you'll be creating a layer between sunscreen and UV rays.

Hands down the highest recommended face sunscreen (physical) is Elta MD's Broad-Spectrum SPF 46. Tula's Protect + Glow Sunscreen (chemical) is another fantastic option that will give you a nice glow without clogging pores.

Step 7: Primer

On makeup days, I finish out my skincare routine with a primer before I apply my makeup. Have been using Tula's Face Filter Primer for years now, and it's one of my all-time favorites (code DANIELLEGERVINO).

Bonus Step: Neck Cream

You may have never heard of "tech neck" wrinkles, but you most likely have them! Tech neck wrinkles are the lines that form across your neck thanks to all of the time we spend looking down at our phones and laptops. Mine have always been an area I've been self conscious about. I started using ItCosmetics' Confidence in a Neck Cream regularly morning and night to finish off my skincare routine and have seen such a difference in how deep set my lines are.

Step 1: Makeup Remover

Cleansing at night should be a two step process. First, I remove my makeup with a cleansing balm which helps to dissolve it, along with any surface build up from the day. I skeptically decided to try out a 'makeup melt' balm for the first time, and haven't looked back since. I was worried about a balm leaving an oily residue on my skin, but ItCosmetics Bye Bye Makeup has been such a game-changer (hack: you can also use it as your Gua Sha oil while removing your makeup to cut down time!). It goes on like oil, and magically transforms as water hits it, leaving no residue behind.

Glossier's Milky Oil also has great reviews, which combines both a cleansing oil and micellar water to remove makeup.

Step 2: Cleanser

Second, I cleanse all of the excess dirt, oil and leftover makeup that's loosened up and left behind after the first cleanse with Tula's Purifying Facial Cleanser (code DANIELLEGERVINO) or ItCosmetics' Confidence in Cleanser.

Step 3: Toner

I use the same toner for AM & PM; Fresh's Rose Deep Hydration Toner or Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow Pore Tight Toner. I always feel like toner is that extra step that gets the last bit of dirt/makeup off (yes, even after a double cleanse!).

Step 4: Serum/Treatment

Nighttime means business; time to break out your heavy-hitters. Your body does the bulk of its restoring overnight, so this is where you really want to utilize your targeted products based on your skincare needs. Think retinol, exfoliating treatments (glycolic acid, AHA/BHA pads) or hydrating serums. The goal here is to switch it up. For example, I use Good Genes Lactic Acid by Sunday Riley 3-4 times per week. On off days, I'm typically using a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid (draws moisture into the skin, plumps + hydrates).

ALSO TRY: Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum (higher end option by SkinCeuticals here).

Step 5: Eye Cream

Now that I've found a great formula, I stick to the same eye cream for AM & PM. SkinCeuticals' formula keeps my eyes hydrated and plump until I wake up the next morning. Have also heard great things about BeautyCounter's Ultra Renewal eye cream and Glow Recipe's Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Mask.

Step 6: Moisturizer/Night Cream

Some people prefer to use a more restorative moisturizer at night (aka night cream). I keep a few moisturizers on deck that I really enjoy and switch between like Tula's Firming & Hydrating Moisturizer ,ItCosmetics' top-rated Confidence in a Cream Hydrating Moisturizer,  St. Ives Collagen Elastin Moisturizer and Fresh's Lotus Youth Preserve Night Cream.

Step 7: Facial Oil

On nights when I'm using a treatment like lactic or glycolic acid that tends to dry out skin, I'll add in a facial oil. I love Glossier's Futuredew oil/serum hybrid and Tarte's Maracuja Oil (code DANIELLE for 15% off at Tarte).

NOTE: I have normal/dry skin, and I've always been fine with using a facial oil as a last step to my skincare routine. 

Bonus Step: Lip Mask

I don't use a lip mask every night, but in the Wintertime, it's usually an every-other-night kind of product. I tried Laniege's cult favorite Lip Sleeping Mask and was instantly hooked. This stuff works wonders - and overnight! Just be careful to only apply on lips, as it can cause clogged pores if it sits on your skin.

What about acne spot treatments?

Every so often, when you need an acne spot treatment, it's important to apply it as close to the skin as possible in order for it to do its job. As a rule of thumb, apply under moisturizer. Personally, when I'm using an spot treatment like a drying lotion or acne patch, I avoid applying any skincare products directly on top of them.

I hope this post was a helpful read! I often get questions about skincare and my number one piece of advice is to experiment until you find what works for your skin type. Some of the products I love may not do a thing for you and vice versa, all due to skin being so vastly different! That being said, I hope you're encouraged to try out some of these recommendations that you may have heard about that have my seal of approval.

Do you have any must-have products?! Would love to know in the comments below! Remember, you can print out my order of application chart to keep handy for your AM & PM routine!

*DISCLAIMER: My skincare products, tools and recommendations are based on my own personal research and experience. Please always consult with your dermatologist before trying out new products and/or tools to see if they're right for your skin type!

Keep reading about my favorite skincare tools!