Facial Skincare Routine: The Steps

Cleanse, nourish, moisturize: three steps, a specific order, and your skin will thank you. But you still need to know which product to apply when—and, most importantly, why. Because between the 10-step routines from Korea and the minimalism championed by others, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Good news: an effective skincare routine doesn’t have to be endless. It just needs to make sense.

Why the order in which you apply your skincare products makes all the difference

You may have the best products in the world, but if you apply them incorrectly, they lose much of their effectiveness. The principle is simple: always apply products from the lightest to the richest. Apply a serum before a moisturizer—never the other way around. Why? Because a moisturizer forms a protective film on the skin’s surface. If you apply a concentrated serum on top of it, its active ingredients won’t be able to penetrate that occlusive barrier.

Each step sets the stage for the next. A toner restores the skin’s pH balance (which is naturally 5.5, whereas tap water can reach 9.5). A dry oil nourishes the skin and locks in the active ingredients. The cream seals it all in. Following this order gives each product the chance to do its job. It’s as simple as that.

The 3-Step Morning Skincare Routine

In the morning, your skin isn’t exactly dirty, but it’s been working hard all night. Sebum, dead skin cells, and residue from your nighttime skincare routine—all of this needs a refresh before you start your day.

Step 1: Cleanse with a toner or facial mist

Forget about harsh foaming face washes first thing in the morning. In the morning, a toner or skincare water is enough to remove light impurities and excess sebum that has built up overnight. The goal here is to purify without stripping the skin. Gently pat your face, neck, and décolletage. Maison de l’Argousier’s Secret d’Éclat skincare water, rich in natural vitamin C and malic acid derived from sea buckthorn berries, serves as a toner while providing antibacterial and brightening benefits.

Step 2: Nourish and regulate oil production with a dry oil

Before applying your moisturizer, it’s time for a serum or oil. Both have a lighter texture than a moisturizer and penetrate deeper into the skin. Le Secret Sublimant, a dry oil made with native sea buckthorn oil (rich in omega-3, 6, 7, and 9, natural retinol, and vitamin E), intensely nourishes while regulating sebum production in both directions. Omega-7s, found in only four fruits worldwide and present in concentrations at least 20 times higher in sea buckthorn, are the key drivers of this sebum regulation. Clinically measured results: 95% of participants noticed softer, smoother skin after 14 days of use.

The omega-7 fatty acids in sea buckthorn do more than just regulate sebum production. They also strengthen the skin barrier and reduce redness. To fully appreciate the benefits of sea buckthorn oil for the face, just a few drops in the morning and evening are enough to notice a difference in your skin’s radiance and suppleness.

Step 3: Moisturize with a cream suited to your skin type

The moisturizer seals in all the previous skincare steps. It protects your skin, locks in moisture, and acts as a shield throughout the day. Apply it by gently massaging it in with your fingertips, using upward strokes from the center of your face outward. Never forget your neck and décolletage.

For normal skin, Hydra Protect cream combines native water and sea buckthorn oil. Clinically tested by Eurofins over 21 days on 22 participants (zero dropouts), it demonstrated a significant increase in skin softness, matte finish, and plumpness. For an anti-wrinkle effect on normal to dry skin, use Nutri Actif ( tested on a panel of 50- to 70-year-olds, with significant results on firmness, wrinkles, and radiance). Combination to oily skin with early wrinkles? Lissant Actif, tested for 28 days on a panel of 35- to 50-year-olds, visibly smooths wrinkles without leaving a greasy film.

And if you want to boost your results from the inside out, La Rayonnante—a nutricosmetic made with sea buckthorn oil, coenzyme Q10, and lutein—improves the health of your skin, hair, and nails. This inside-out approach is a real skincare tip.

Sun protection: the step no one should skip

After applying your moisturizer, apply SPF 50 sunscreen, even on cloudy days. UV rays are responsible for 80% of visible skin aging (dark spots, wrinkles, loss of firmness). Apply generously to your face and neck, and reapply every 2 to 3 hours during prolonged sun exposure. This is the final step in your morning routine: do not apply anything over the SPF, as this will reduce its effectiveness.

The evening skincare routine: deep cleansing

By evening, your skin has accumulated pollution, makeup, oil, and particles. It’s time for a deep cleanse.

Step 1: Rinse off after showering to prevent limescale buildup

After showering, hard water has disrupted your skin’s pH balance. A toner or gentle facial cleanser restores this balance. Secret d’Éclat, applied with a cotton pad to the face, neck, and décolleté, removes mineral deposits while soothing the skin thanks to its antibacterial properties. For acne-prone skin or skin prone to dermatitis, this cleansing step is particularly beneficial: the malic acid found in native sea buckthorn water helps soothe skin inflammation.

Step 2: Nourish and protect with dry oil

At night, the skin enters a regenerative phase. This is the perfect time to treat it to restorative ingredients. Secret Sublimant, rich in beta-carotene (10 times more than a carrot in sea buckthorn) and vitamin E (4 times more than sunflower oil), deeply nourishes the skin without clogging pores. Just a few drops are enough: this oil is highly concentrated.

Step 3: Choose a night cream that suits your needs

The choice of night cream depends on your skin type and your specific concerns:

• Normal skin: Hydra Protect, a sebum-regulating and antioxidant formula, for long-lasting comfort until morning.
• Normal to dry skin, anti-wrinkle effect: Nutri Actif, a rich and protective formula containing native water and sea buckthorn oil, designed for mature skin in need of radiance and firmness.
• Combination to oily skin, early signs of wrinkles: Lissant Actif, a skincare product for oily skin that delivers anti-wrinkle benefits without leaving a greasy film. A unique offering in the market.

All of these creams have a natural orange hue thanks to the beta-carotene in sea buckthorn. They all have an “Excellent” rating on YUKA, are made with at least 96% natural ingredients, and have been clinically tested under dermatological supervision.

Should you adjust your skincare routine based on the seasons and your skin type?

Absolutely. Your skin has different needs in January than it does in July. In winter, the cold and indoor heating dry out the skin barrier, so you should opt for richer textures and focus on nourishment (dry oil + rich night cream). In summer, sebum production increases and your skin gets shiny more quickly, so switch to a lighter cream and, above all, don’t skip your SPF sunscreen.

If your skin feels constantly tight despite using a rich cream, the problem may stem from a lack of lipids rather than moisture. A routine specifically designed for dry to very dry skin tailors each step to restore the skin barrier: a sulfate-free cleanser, emollient ingredients rich in omega-7s, and a deeply nourishing cream. This transforms your winter skincare routine into a truly restorative treatment.

As for the eye area, the skin there is 4 to 5 times thinner than on the rest of the face. It deserves special care, applied by gently patting from the inner corner toward the cheekbones. Regardless of skin type (combination, dry, sensitive), a moisturizing eye cream protects this delicate area from early wrinkles and dehydration.

Exfoliation and face masks: How often can you do them without damaging your skin?

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and boosts cell renewal. For normal or combination skin, once or twice a week is sufficient. Do you have sensitive or dry skin? Once every two weeks, no more. Apply the mask after exfoliating and before using toner. Exfoliating the skin without irritating it is the key to a long-lasting skincare routine.

Another common question: How long should you wait between each step? In reality, a few seconds are enough. Wait until the previous product has been absorbed (the skin should no longer feel damp to the touch) before moving on to the next one. No need for a timer.

Minimalist routine or comprehensive routine: which one should you choose?

Let’s be honest: a 10-step routine sounds great on paper, but it’s rarely sustainable in the long run. Dermatologists agree on one thing: it’s better to have three well-chosen products used consistently than a whole arsenal of bottles used every other week. Cleanse, nourish, moisturize (and protect from the sun in the morning): that’s the foundation. The rest is a bonus.

La Maison de l’Argousier has built its product line around this philosophy: simple formulas, powerful active ingredients (native water and sea buckthorn berry oil, combined through an enzymatic extraction process that uses no solvents or heat), and a routine that takes just three steps. Not ten. Three.

How can you tell if your skincare routine is working?

After 3 to 4 weeks (one cell renewal cycle), take a look: does your skin feel softer to the touch? Is your complexion more radiant? Has the tightness gone away? If so, you’ve found the right routine. If your skin is excessively shiny or still feels tight, reevaluate your cream. Shiny skin doesn’t necessarily need to be stripped: sometimes it needs to be better nourished to stop overproducing sebum. That’s the whole principle of sebum regulation.

The information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Sources and references

• Eurofins EVIC France, “In-use Test D with clinical scoring, SKIN CARE LOTION Ref. EDSMA15,” study STUVY22AA0555-1, 2022 (Secret d’Éclat clinical trials, 20 participants, 14 days).
• Eurofins EVIC France, “In-use Test D with clinical scoring, DRY OIL Ref. HSMA6,” study STUVY22AA0553-1, 2022 (Secret Sublimant clinical trials, 20 participants, 14 days).
• Eurofins EVIC France, “In-use Test D with clinical scoring, MOISTURIZING CREAM Ref. CHMA3,” study STUVY23AA0273-1, 2023 (Hydra Protect clinical tests, 22 participants, 21 days).
• Luetjohann, S. (2002). Sea Buckthorn: An Energy-Packed Fruit and Beneficial Oil.