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 Labs 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: Eye Cream
Apply your eye cream before your serum. Layer on our lifting Antü Refining 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 Three: 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 Skin Barrier Repair 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 white lily to relax and smooth expression lines, Cherimoya to soothe, calm, and rebalance skin, and Entadine for protection.
Step Four: Day Cream
Always apply your richest cream last in your skincare routine. We love protecting our complexion with our fortifying Antü Daytime Defense 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 Five (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
Apply your eye cream before your serum. Layer on our lifting Antü Refining 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 Three: Night Cream
Opt for a heavier cream at night like our Antü Overnight Repair 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.
