Normal + Combination Toner

When it comes to achieving healthy, glowing skin, what you use matters—but how you use it matters just as much. The truth is, even the most effective natural skincare products won’t deliver their full potential if they’re applied in the wrong order. Layering your skincare correctly ensures each formula absorbs properly, ingredients don’t cancel each other out, and your skin barrier stays balanced. If you’ve ever wondered, “What’s the correct skincare routine order?” or “How do I layer skincare products for the best results?”, you’re in the right place. This guide walks you through the fundamentals of skincare layering, morning vs. night routines, and how to build a simple, effective clean beauty skincare routine that helps your skin thrive. Why Proper Skincare Layering Matters Think of your skincare routine like a recipe: the ingredients work together in harmony when added in the right sequence. Layering products correctly allows lightweight, water-based formulas to penetrate deeply, while thicker creams and oils create a protective seal on top. Reversing the order can block absorption, reduce effectiveness, or even cause irritation. For example, applying a moisturizer before a serum prevents the active ingredients in your serum from reaching the skin’s deeper layers. The result? Dull, congested skin that doesn’t see the full benefit of your clean skincare products. The golden rule of natural skincare layering is simple:Start light and watery, end rich and creamy. Morning Skincare Routine Order Your morning skincare routine should focus on hydration, protection, and preparation. The goal is to balance your skin barrier and defend against environmental stressors like pollution and UV rays. Step 1: Cleanser A gentle, sulfate-free cleanser removes impurities and excess oil that accumulate overnight without stripping your skin’s natural moisture. If you're removing a full face of makeup, we recommend starting with an oil-cleanse (ex: our Makeup Remover) followed by a water-based cleanser (ex: one of our Foaming Face Washes). Pro Tip: In the morning, a single cleanse is usually enough—especially if you cleansed the night before. Step 2: Toner Toners are often misunderstood, but in a clean beauty skincare routine, they play a vital role. Modern toners are formulated to rebalance your skin’s pH after cleansing and prep it to absorb the next layers. Spray your toner directly on your face, or apply with your hands instead of a cotton pad to avoid unnecessary waste and ensure full absorption. Step 3: Water-Based Serum This is where you deliver concentrated hydration and barrier support. Our water-based serum, Barrier + Beyond is lightweight and rich in humectants like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or lactobacillus ferment that draw moisture into the skin. Because they absorb quickly, always apply your water-based serum before thicker treatments or oils. These serums act as your daily multivitamin, restoring balance and protecting against environmental stress. Step 4: Moisturizer Your moisturizer acts as the barrier that keeps hydration in and environmental aggressors out. If you need help choosing the right moisturizer for your skin type, check out our blog, "How to Choose the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin" or take our skincare quiz. Step 5: Sunscreen The most important part of your morning skincare routine order. SPF is your daily defense against UV damage, premature aging, and hyperpigmentation. Apply sunscreen as your final layer (and reapply every two hours if you’re outdoors). Pro Tip: Don’t rely on tinted moisturizers or foundations alone—always use a dedicated SPF. Nighttime Skincare Routine Order Your evening routine is about repair and renewal. This is when your skin regenerates, so you want to focus on cleansing thoroughly, exfoliating when needed, and nourishing deeply. Step 1: Makeup Removal + Cleanser Always start by removing makeup and SPF before cleansing. Double cleansing—using an oil-based cleanser first, followed by a gentle cream cleanser or foaming face wash—helps ensure pores stay clear and skin stays soft. Step 2: Exfoliator (2–3x a Week) & Masks Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that block pores and prevent product absorption. Depending on your skin type, you can choose: Chemical exfoliants (like glycolic or lactic acid) for smoothing texture and brightening. Physical exfoliants (with fine granules or natural clays) for gentle polishing. Luckily, our Cream Exfoliator checks all boxes as it has both physical and chemical exfoliants in the formula. Tip: Don’t exfoliate every night. Over-exfoliating can weaken your barrier and cause redness or breakouts. This is also the same step where you would apply one of our natural face masks. We recommend alternating your mask with your exfoliator so that you aren't over-exfoliating.  Step 3: Toner Just like in the morning, toner preps the skin for better absorption and balances pH. After exfoliating, this step also soothes and hydrates the skin, setting the stage for your serums. Step 4: Water-Based Serum At night, this step supports deep hydration and barrier repair. A water-based serum replenishes moisture lost throughout the day and strengthens your skin with nutrients like niacinamide and probiotics. Think of this as your foundation for overnight skin recovery. Step 5: Treatments (Under-Eye + Targeted Care) Nighttime is the perfect time for treatments to shine. Use your under-eye gel or blemish spot treatment after your water-based serum for best results. At night, the skin is more receptive to actives like caffeine, niacinamide, or hyaluronic acid, allowing your treatments to work while you sleep. Step 6: Oil-Based Serum Now that your treatments have absorbed, it’s time to seal everything in with an oil-based serum or facial oil. Natural plant oils like jojoba, grape seed, or baobab mimic your skin’s own sebum, locking in hydration and leaving your complexion soft and supple. If you’re using multiple serums, remember: water-based first, oil-based last. Step 7: Moisturizer Finish with your night moisturizer or balm to create a protective layer that traps in all the nutrients from your serums. This is especially important in colder months or for dry skin types. At night, your skin loses more moisture (a process called transepidermal water loss), so sealing in hydration helps your skin wake up plump and refreshed. Now, when we refer to moisturizers in this step, we're specifically talking about our heavier moisturizers such as Blue Dew and Face Cream. Important: If you use one of our lighter moisturizers (Face Jelly, Face Lotion Normal/Combo, Face Lotion Acne Prone), apply these before your oil-based serum as they are a lighter consistency. Common Layering Mistakes to Avoid Even seasoned skincare lovers can make simple layering mistakes that undermine their routine. Here’s what to watch out for: Skipping toner: Without it, your serums may not absorb as effectively. Applying thick products too early: Oils or creams create a barrier that blocks lightweight serums. Mixing actives without research: Combining strong exfoliants or retinol with acids can irritate your skin. (We don't recommend using retinol at all due to its possible carcinogenic side effects.) Neglecting sunscreen: It’s the #1 anti-aging product—and non-negotiable in your morning routine. Overloading your skin: More isn’t always better. Stick to what your skin truly needs. Final Tips for a Balanced Skincare Routine Always apply products from thinnest to thickest consistency. Give each layer 30–60 seconds to absorb before applying the next. Listen to your skin—adjust frequency and product types based on how it feels. Stay consistent. Skincare is cumulative; daily habits matter more than occasional treatments. Give your skin at least 28 days to adjust to a new product and to fully reap its benefits.  Building a clean skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated. When you understand how to layer skincare products the right way, every step works in harmony to hydrate, nourish, and protect your skin barrier. Whether you’re focusing on minimalism or love a multi-step ritual, proper layering ensures that your natural ingredients can do what they do best—restore your skin’s balance and bring out your healthiest, most radiant glow.

Some ingredients earn their reputation quietly, working behind the scenes to keep your skin balanced and glowing without any drama. Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is one of those unsung heroes. It might not sound flashy, but this multitasking vitamin supports your skin in more ways than one, helping it stay clear, calm, and strong. It’s the ingredient that does a little bit of everything and somehow makes your entire routine work better. What is Niacinamide? Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that’s loved for its ability to bring harmony to the skin. Whether your concern is uneven tone, dullness, or sensitivity, niacinamide fits in seamlessly with just about any routine. It’s gentle, effective, and compatible with nearly every other ingredient you’re already using. What makes it so special? It works on multiple levels — supporting the skin barrier, improving texture, and helping your complexion look more even and radiant. Niacinamide is great for the skin barrier. Your skin barrier is your first line of defense against the world. It keeps hydration in and stressors out. When it’s weakened, you’ll notice it — dryness, tightness, redness, and even more visible pores. Niacinamide helps reinforce that barrier by supporting the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture and stay balanced. A strong barrier means smoother texture, better hydration, and skin that feels more resilient day after day. One of niacinamide’s biggest benefits is how it helps improve overall brightness and tone. It helps your skin look more even by minimizing the appearance of discoloration and dullness, giving your complexion that soft, natural glow. It’s also known for helping reduce visible redness and calming the look of stressed or reactive skin. Unlike some brightening ingredients, niacinamide does it gently — no tingling, no flaking, just steady improvement that your skin will actually enjoy. And if you struggle with visible pores, you’ll love this: niacinamide helps refine their appearance over time, leaving the skin looking smoother and more even. How to incorporate niacinamide into your routine. The easiest way to experience the benefits of niacinamide is through a formula that brings hydration and skin support together — like our Barrier + Beyond Vitamin Water Serum. This lightweight, water-based serum delivers a concentrated dose of niacinamide alongside a blend of vitamins A, C, E, and K, plus hyaluronic acid for instant moisture. It’s designed to strengthen your skin barrier, improve tone, and leave your complexion feeling calm and refreshed without any heaviness. Apply it morning and night after cleansing and toning, then follow with your favorite moisturizer. Its fast-absorbing texture makes it easy to layer with other products — from exfoliants to retinoids — so your skin gets the hydration and balance it needs to stay healthy and resilient. Niacinamide works best when it’s part of a routine that supports your skin barrier, and Barrier + Beyond Vitamin Water Serum does exactly that. With consistent use, it helps your skin look brighter, smoother, and more balanced day after day.

Glycolic acid is one of the most popular ingredients in skincare today, and for good reason. It’s celebrated for its ability to exfoliate the skin, helping to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. But there’s a lot more to glycolic acid than just its exfoliating powers. Let’s dive into why it’s such a skincare powerhouse and why we choose to use a high-purity, lab-made version at withSimplicity. What is Glycolic Acid? Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and is one of the most effective exfoliating ingredients in skincare. Because it has the smallest molecular size of all AHAs, it penetrates the skin easily, working deep within the surface layers to dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This gentle chemical exfoliation reveals smoother, brighter skin underneath while helping to refine texture and improve overall radiance. On a deeper level, glycolic acid stimulates collagen production and accelerates cellular turnover, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, uneven tone, and dullness over time. It also enhances the absorption of other skincare ingredients, allowing serums and moisturizers to work more effectively. When used in the right concentration and pH, glycolic acid offers a powerful yet balanced way to rejuvenate the skin without harsh scrubbing or irritation. Why Choose Lab-Made Glycolic Acid? While glycolic acid is naturally found in sugar cane, the amounts needed for effective skincare products are much higher than what can be sustainably extracted from plants. This is why we use the only high-purity, lab-made glycolic acid on the market, which is formaldehyde-free and designed for maximum effectiveness. Why lab-made glycolic acid, you ask? Here’s why: Sustainability: By sourcing glycolic acid from a lab instead of extracting it from plants, we reduce our environmental impact. This ensures that we’re using a reliable and consistent ingredient without overburdening natural resources. Purity: The lab-made glycolic acid we use is formulated to be of the highest purity and is formaldehyde-free, meaning it delivers consistent results without impurities. This makes it a safer choice for our products, ensuring the quality and reliability of the skincare experience. Eco-Friendly: As we strive to be conscious of our impact on the planet, lab-made glycolic acid gives us control over the sourcing and production process, keeping our skincare routines clean and eco-friendly. How Does Glycolic Acid Benefit Your Skin? Glycolic acid’s main job is exfoliation. It helps break down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, allowing them to shed more easily. This results in: Smoother skin texture: Regular exfoliation can improve the appearance of uneven skin, leaving it softer and more radiant. Brighter complexion: Glycolic acid can help reveal fresh, new skin, which can leave your face looking brighter and more glowing. More even skin tone: With its exfoliating effects, glycolic acid can help reduce the appearance of dark spots or discoloration over time. Glycolic Acid and Sensitive Skin We understand that some people may have concerns about using glycolic acid on sensitive skin. Since it’s an exfoliating acid, it can be more intense than other ingredients. But with our high-purity glycolic acid, it’s formulated to work gently on your skin without the irritation often associated with other exfoliants. Always patch test before using any new product, and if you have particularly sensitive skin, start slowly and gradually build up usage. Glycolic Acid in Your Skincare Routine If you're new to glycolic acid, withSimplicity’s Cream Exfoliator is a gentle way to introduce this ingredient into your routine. This product combines glycolic acid with finely milled exfoliants to help renew the skin’s surface without being overly harsh. Start by using our Cream Exfoliator once or twice a week, depending on your skin’s sensitivity. Over time, you can increase usage as your skin builds tolerance—just be sure to listen to your skin and adjust as needed. Don’t forget SPF: Because glycolic acid exfoliates the top layer of skin, it can make your skin more sensitive to sun exposure. Applying a daily sunscreen is key to keeping your skin protected and healthy.