Curating a natural skincare routine with high-quality ingredients is a great first step, but it is only half the battle. If you apply your products in the wrong order, you could be preventing those beautiful botanicals from actually absorbing into your skin.
When it comes to skincare layering, the golden rule is always thinnest to thickest. Applying your products in order of molecular weight ensures that lightweight, water-based ingredients can penetrate deeply before heavier creams seal everything in.
If you are confused about exactly when to apply what, here is the ultimate guide to the correct skincare routine order, featuring our natural facial care line.
Step 1: Prep and Balance (Toner)
After cleansing your face, your skin's natural pH can sometimes become slightly unbalanced, and the surface needs to be prepped to absorb the active ingredients that follow. This is where toner comes in. Because toners have a water-like consistency, they should always be the very first step on clean, dry skin.
• The Goal: To soothe the skin barrier, refine pores, and create a damp, receptive canvas for your serums.
• The Product: Apply the Griffin Remedy Rice Water Facial Toner. Rice water is an ancient beauty secret renowned for its ability to brighten and calm the complexion. Sweeping this gently over your face restores balance and provides a vital first layer of weightless hydration.
Step 2: Treat and Hydrate (Serum)
Serums are the heavy lifters of your skincare routine. They are highly concentrated, lightweight liquids packed with active ingredients meant to target specific skin concerns. Because their molecules are small, they need to go on right after your toner so they can penetrate deep into the epidermis.
• The Goal: To deliver potent hydration and active botanicals directly into the skin cells.
• The Product: While your skin is still slightly damp from your toner, gently press in the Griffin Remedy Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum. Hyaluronic acid is a moisture-binding humectant capable of holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Applying it at this stage draws maximum moisture into your skin, instantly plumping fine lines and leaving a dewy, glowing finish.
Step 3: Seal and Protect (Face Cream)
Now that you have infused your skin with water and active ingredients, you need to lock them in. Face creams and moisturizers are formulated with larger molecules and richer emollients. If you applied a cream first, your lightweight serums would never be able to push through it.
• The Goal: To create a protective barrier on the surface of the skin, preventing transepidermal water loss (evaporation) and keeping your active ingredients trapped exactly where they need to be.
• The Product: Finish your routine by massaging a layer of the Griffin Remedy Ultra Moisturizing Face Cream over your face and neck. This rich, nourishing formula acts as the ultimate botanical seal, ensuring your skin remains deeply hydrated, soft, and protected from environmental stressors all day long.
The Bottom Line
Skincare doesn't have to be complicated, but order matters. By simply remembering to move from the lightest liquid to the richest cream (Toner > Serum > Cream), you will maximize the effectiveness of every single product in your natural routine.
