Skincare Routine Steps: Guide on all the Steps

Updated July 8, 2025 by Elisa Branda

What are the delivery times? Skincare Routine Steps or i steps of the skincare routine what should we include in daily skin care? In this article we will see all the steps together, so as not to have any more doubts and to use the products in the most effective way possible.

What is the Skincare Routine?

By skincare routine we mean one series of steps, gestures and products that allow you to take care of your skin. In other words it is about sequence with which various cosmetic products are applied. And if for example it is simple to understand that you need to use the cleanser first and then the toner, it is often not clear how to use the boosters, vials, facial oil and other treatments.

So let's see together all the various steps for a complete skincare routine.

Detergent

Cleansing is the first step to having beautiful, healthy skin. It is usually preferable to differentiate the morning cleanser from the evening one. In the morning, a gel cleanser with a refreshing and energizing action, a delicate mousse or even a creamy cleanser is usually used. From will beHowever, we usually have to remove makeup and in this case it is important to double cleanse.

La double cleansing it is one of the steps of Korean skincare and consists of cleansing the skin in two steps. First you use a oily cleaner (make-up remover oil, make-up remover balm) which effectively removes all makeup. Then a water-based detergent (cleansing gel, mousse, micellar water) in order to remove all residues of the oily cleanser and any make-up residue.

Exfoliating

After removing makeup and impurities we can proceed with exfoliation. Within the skincare routine steps this is one of the steps that should not be carried out every day but it is necessary to adjust according to your skin type. There are those who prefer to scrub once a week, others every 15 days. There is no rule because what matters is the reaction of your skin.

The type of exfoliant is also important. On delicate skin it would be preferable to use one enzymatic scrub i.e. without granules. Enzymatic exfoliants work thanks to the action of acids that gently smooth the skin (such as AHA and BHA). On normal skin you can also use one scrub with exfoliating granules. For example, facial scrubs with fruit extracts and granules are very beneficial as they exfoliate and at the same time provide precious vitamins to the skin.

Face mask

The face mask is another step that can be done according to the needs of your skin. There are many types of masks on the market. From the classics Korean fabric masks, cream masks, purifying masks, blackhead masks and many others. The advice to obtain an excellent result is to use the best face masks, which you can buy for example in the online perfumery NuvoleBlu.

Toned physique

The tonic is a fundamental step in the skincare routine steps. Some people prefer not to use toner, but I can tell you that this is a very important step. The tonic is the first step of skin hydration, essential to apply after the skin has been cleansed. The tonic restores the natural hydrolipidic barrier that has been damaged by the cleanser, even the most delicate one. It can also be very helpful in areas where the water is very calcareous.

There are tonics of the most different qualities and types. The important thing is to choose the one that best suits our skin type.

Gasoline

Essence is a step that Western skincare took from oriental skincare and in particular from that Korean. The essence differs from the tonic due to its decidedly more active formula. Often the texture is also different. Still watery but denser and fuller-bodied. The essence is applied after the tonic and before the serum (or before the booster). It provides deep hydration, nourishment or other effects based on the type chosen and prepares the skin to receive the serum.

On delicate and sensitive skin it is best to choose a calming and soothing essence, for example containing Centella asiatica or Aloe Vera. On one combination or oily skin it is preferable to use one instead purifying essence.

Wanting to take the use of essence to the extreme, we can say that on very oily skin and in the presence of high temperatures it can become the only hydration step, therefore it can replace serum and cream. Personally, however, it is something that I do not recommend as even the oiliest skin requires serum and cream, the important thing is to know how to choose them correctly.

Boosters and Vials

Boosters or vials are intensive treatments that complement the steps of the skincare routine. They are generally used when the skin needs additional treatment, for example during seasonal changes and when the skin appears duller, drier or more lined than usual.

Generally enclosed in small vials, capsules or actual serums, boosters take skincare to the next level as they are able to provide precious nutrients and active ingredients capable of reaching the skin deeply.

Here too there is no rule and everything must be balanced based on the reaction of our skin. There are those who prefer to use boosters all year round, alternating them based on their functions and the needs of the skin at that moment; those who prefer to use them are when they actually see the skin being more suffering.

Serum

A true hero of the skincare routine, the serum is the most active and effective product. Its particular molecules are chosen to reach deep into the skin, just like boosters do. The serum should be applied morning and evening, chosen based on our skin. The best known serums are those with Hyaluronic acid, hydrating and plumping, but those with Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Aloe Vera and others are also very popular,

Eye Contour

The eye contour should be applied before the cream and can be chosen, also in terms of texture, according to your needs. Yes to balms and butters for drier and more marked skin, it is better to choose lighter and more watery treatments for a dehydrated eye contour with dark circles.

Here too it would be important to differentiate treatments between morning and evening. For the morning it is preferable to use a lighter and fresher eye contour, with a soothing and decongestant action. In the evening, fuller textures such as butters, oils and balms are preferred.

Face cream

The face cream is one of the steps that complete the skincare routine. In the morning you can choose more hydrating, protective and illuminating formulas, for example anti-pollution face creams or plumping ones which also work well as a make-up base. In the evening, the choice falls on more substantial treatments capable of regenerating the skin during the night hours and nourishing it thoroughly.

Face Oil

Facial oil is one of those products that is a little more controversial. There are those who use it before the cream and those after. In theory it should be applied over the cream as it seals all its properties. But it is equally true that there are many types of different oils and as always the most important thing is to listen to your skin to understand what it prefers. For example, an excellent alternative is that of mix the serum and oil together. For example, a simple serum with Hyaluronic Acid is perfect to mix with a few drops of oil to obtain a complete treatment in just a few moments.

Sun protection

During the day you can complete the skincare routine steps with sunscreen. Better to choose sunscreens with broad UVA and UVB spectrum, with anti-aging, anti-wrinkle and anti-pollution properties. Usually the textures of city sunscreens are light and ideal for layering.

Are you also passionate about skincare routines? What steps do you take every day? Do you use boosters and face masks? Let me know your opinions in the comments!