Skincare Routine Order in Lubbock: How to Layer Your Products
The best skincare routine order in Lubbock starts with one simple rule: apply your products from thinnest to thickest, with SPF as your final step in the morning.
If you’ve ever looked at a lineup of serums, exfoliants, retinoids, moisturizers, eye creams, and sunscreen and thought, “What do I actually use first?” that’s exactly why we’re breaking this down. Skincare can get confusing fast when every product has a different purpose and place in the routine. We’re walking through what goes on first, what goes on last, and why your morning and nighttime routines have two different jobs.
In Part 1 of this series, our estheticians shared the products and steps they consider most important. Now we’re showing you how to put those recommendations into the right order.
Why the Order You Apply Skincare Matters
Skincare order matters because some products are meant to absorb into the skin, while others are meant to sit on top and help lock things in. Your lighter, water-based products should usually go on first so they have the best chance to absorb before you layer on heavier creams or moisturizers.
Posey Pence, Medical Esthetician and Laser Tech, recommends following that same thinnest-to-thickest approach, explaining that putting products on in the wrong order can affect how well they absorb and perform. Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Dr. Sean McGregor gives similar guidance, recommending products be applied from “lightest to heaviest,” or thinnest to thickest.
Your Morning Skincare Routine, Step by Step
A fuller morning routine might look like cleanser, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, and SPF last.
If you prefer to keep your routine simple, the basics are cleanser, moisturizer, and a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. No matter how many steps you use, sunscreen should always be the final step in the morning.
Your Evening Skincare Routine, Step by Step
Your morning routine is about protection; your nighttime routine is where treatment and recovery take the lead. After cleansing, apply serums or targeted treatments, then a retinoid or other nighttime treatment, then eye cream, and finish with moisturizer.
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream, a retinoid alternative made for sensitive skin, is one example of a treatment that fits naturally into an evening routine. Retinoids are best used at night because sunlight can reduce their effectiveness and increase the chance of irritation.
Where Exfoliation Fits
Exfoliation can be a great part of a skincare routine, but how often you use it should depend on your skin, the type of exfoliant, and what else you’re using. Some skin can tolerate exfoliation more often, while more sensitive skin (or skin already using stronger actives) may need more space between treatments.
Ella Grace Van Gundy, Esthetician and Laser Technician, lists an exfoliant as part of a good-quality lineup, along with cleanser, toner, serums and moisturizer. That’s a good reminder that exfoliation can be an important step without being an everyday rule for everyone. The American Academy of Dermatology also notes that exfoliation frequency should depend on your skin type and method, and that stronger forms of exfoliation generally need to be used less often.
If you’re also using retinoids, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, or other stronger actives, that’s where your esthetician can help you figure out the right schedule. More exfoliation isn’t better. Aim for the schedule your skin handles well. And after exfoliating, follow with moisturizer to help keep the skin hydrated.
Adjusting Your Skincare Routine for West Texas Weather
Sheena Klos, Founder and CIDESCO Certified Master Medical Esthetician, says it best: “West Texas weather is dry dry dry!” Between the wind, dry air, and constant weather swings, your skin may need a little more support at different times of the year.
That can mean increasing your moisturizer when your skin feels tighter or drier, applying it while your skin is still slightly damp, or using a humidifier when indoor air is especially dry. Mayo Clinic also recommends gentle, non-foaming, alcohol-free cleansers for dry skin.
Victoria Henry, Medical Esthetician and Laser Tech, also emphasizes antioxidants, moisturizer, and sunscreen for our climate. Vitamin C serum is one common antioxidant, and Cleveland Clinic notes that it reinforces your sunscreen but doesn’t replace it.
A cloudy day still counts when it comes to sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that even on cloudy days, up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate your skin, so SPF still matters when the sun isn’t shining.
Common Skincare Order Mistakes to Avoid in Lubbock
The mistake our estheticians flag most is putting a thick cream on before a thinner serum. That can make it harder for the lighter product to absorb, which is why thinnest to thickest is such a helpful rule.
Retinoids are another common mix-up. They’re better suited for nighttime because sunlight can reduce their effectiveness and increase irritation.
Skipping SPF on a cloudy day is easy to do, but UV exposure is still there, so sunscreen should still be the final step in your morning routine.
Putting sunscreen on once and calling it done is another. The FDA recommends reapplying at least every two hours, and more often if you’re swimming or sweating.
And when it comes to exfoliation and stronger actives, more isn’t always better. If you’re unsure what can be used together, your esthetician can help you build a routine that works for your skin.
Common Questions About Skincare Routine Order in Lubbock
Does toner go before or after serum?
If toner is part of your routine, use it after cleansing and before serum. It’s also an optional step, so not everyone needs one.
Where does eye cream go in my routine?
After serum and before moisturizer. That’s the order Cleveland Clinic recommends, and it works the same way in your morning and evening routines.
Do I need sunscreen if I’m just driving around Lubbock or sitting by a window?
Yes. The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that UV rays can pass through clouds and glass, and it recommends a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day.
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The Spa by Sheena
8713 Milwaukee Ave Suite 200
Lubbock, TX 79424
By Chelsey Zahn,
Marketing & Analytics
The Spa by Sheena is a Med Spa serving Lubbock and West Texas. Clinical treatments are performed under the supervision of our medical director by our licensed team.
