If you’ve ever looked at your skincare lineup and wondered, “Wait…what goes on first?” you’re not alone. Layering skincare can feel like a chemistry experiment, but it doesn’t have to. Whether you’re recovering from a long night out, decompressing after a beach day, or just trying to glow through your 9–5, knowing the correct order to apply your products can make all the difference.
We made it easy. Here’s a simple, effective skincare layering routine using Grimoire’s (all TSA-friendly, by the way) science-backed lineup—designed for real life, late nights, and the weird quirks of everyday skin. Whether your skin is dry, oily, sensitive, or just confused, this flexible ritual works for all skin types and all genders.
Why Skincare Layering Order Matters
Layering your skincare products in the right order helps each formula work better. As a rule of thumb, apply products from thinnest to thickest consistency—starting with cleansers and serums, and ending with moisturizers. This ensures that active ingredients absorb properly and don’t get blocked by heavier products.
The ideal skincare routine order:
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Cleanser
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Eye Serum
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Face Serum
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Moisturizer
Think of it like getting dressed: lightweight layers first, then you bundle up.
Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Treat the Eyes First
Use: Grimoire’s Eye Roll Eye Serum
Your under-eye skin is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, which means it needs special treatment—and a head start. Start your routine with Eye Roll, Grimoire’s cooling eye serum that targets puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines.
Key ingredients:
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Caffeine Powder – depuffs and brightens
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Micro Super Greens – deeply hydrates
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Acetyl Hexapeptide-1 – smooths out fine lines
How to use: Gently pat a pea-sized amount around your eye area, morning and night. Let it sink in while you move on to...
Step 2: Choose Your Face Serum
Use: Grimoire’s Vanity Monday or Beach Guise, depending on what your skin needs
Serums are your skin’s problem-solvers. Apply them while your skin is still slightly damp for better absorption. They deliver targeted results and prep your skin for moisturizer, making them essential—not optional.
Option A: Grimoire’s Vanity Monday Face Serum
Perfect for when your skin is stressed, dull, or coming off a weekend of indulgence (read: Pride, parties, or a Criterion marathon). Vanity Monday revives tired skin and boosts glow with vitamin-packed botanicals.
Key ingredients:
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Sea Buckthorn – brightens and revitalizes
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Wild Indigo Extract – calms stressed-out skin
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Micro Super Greens – hydrates + energizes
Option B: Grimoire’s Beach Guise Face Serum
Just got back from the beach (or rooftop)? Your skin’s probably feeling the heat. Beach Guise calms and rehydrates post-sun skin with a cooling caviar gel that feels like aloe went to the gym.
Key ingredients:
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Gotu Kola – soothes irritation
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Plant Bisabolol – calms and reduces redness
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Wild Indigo Extract – controls skin stress
How to use (both serums): Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin. Let it fully absorb before sealing it in with...
Step 3: Lock It In
Use: Grimoire’s Nightmare Away Face Cream
Your final step is moisturizer—aka the seal that locks in all the good stuff. Nightmare Away is your overnight repair cream, but it works great during the day too when your skin is dry or depleted.
This rich, buttery formula tackles inflammation, dehydration, and the visible effects of travel fatigue or too many late nights.
Key ingredients:
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Lavender Extract – calms skin after stress and sleep loss
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Shea Butter – deeply moisturizes
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Micro Super Greens – repairs and brightens
How to use: Smooth a thin layer over your face and neck after serum. Use nightly, or anytime your skin’s acting up.
Bonus Tips for Layering Skincare
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Don’t rush – Give each layer 30–60 seconds to absorb.
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SPF is your daytime finale – Always apply sunscreen after your moisturizer during the day.
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Patch test new combos – Especially if you’re using active ingredients.
Ready to Build Your Routine?
Grimoire’s gender-expansive skincare is designed to be simple to use and easy to layer—so every product plays well with the next.
Whether you're dealing with sunburn, puffiness, stress breakouts, or a full-blown skin hangover, our lineup has you covered. Clean, vegan formulas. No BS. Just skin that feels healthier, calmer, and more like you again.
Explore the full Grimoire New York collection here.
