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Written by OSEA Staff | Published May 5, 2026.
Does sunscreen go on first or last? Do moisturizers come before the mists? Skincare layering is not just a routine; it's an art form that, when done correctly, can transform the appearance of your skin. Whether you’re new to skincare (welcome!) or a seasoned pro, we’ve got you. Ahead, your step-by-step guide to layering your skincare correctly for healthy-looking, glowing skin.
Layer From Lightest to Heaviest
When it comes to applying your skincare, think of it like dressing in layers: apply the lightest products first (like toning mists and serums) and the heaviest formulas last (like thicker creams and oils). Sunscreen is always your final step.
Step 1
Cleanse
First things first: start with a clean canvas. Cleansing is the cornerstone of every skincare routine. A thorough cleanse (or two) leaves your skin clean and clear of makeup and debris, which means your serums, moisturizers and face oils will be able to absorb better and work their magic without anything getting in the way.
Choosing the right cleanser for your unique skin type is key. Find the right one, and just like that, you’re dealing with a whole new situation when it comes to your skin.
If you’ve slept in your makeup (happens to the best of us), start with a cleansing oil like Ocean Wave Cleanser. This lightweight bi-phase formula gently removes every trace of makeup, impurities and excess sebum without stripping. Infused with mineral-rich Undaria seaweed, camelina oil and soothing bisabolol, it nourishes and balances while leaving skin unbelievably soft.
Follow with a cream or gel cleanser, depending on your skin type and needs, for a more targeted cleanse and to wash away any remaining residue. For dry skin, reach for Ocean Cleansing Milk. Our soothing, milky formula is packed with hydrating glycerin and Undaria seaweed to leave skin feeling smooth, soft and comforted. For normal skin types, our seaweed-infused gel formula, Ocean Cleanser, is an ideal choice for the final double-cleansing step. Formulated with nutrient-rich Undaria seaweed, plus lactic acid, it gently exfoliates without stripping skin. The bright citrus blend of lime, jasmine and bergamot is completely transporting.
Step 2
Tone
Now that your skin is clean, it’s time to tone. Hydrating toners, or toning mists, are designed to replenish, refresh and prep skin to better absorb what comes next, leaving it soft, balanced and radiant.
Look for water-based toners with lightweight, moisture-binding humectants such as hyaluronic acid (HA). Our Sea Minerals Mist is like a glass of water for skin. It’s loaded with sodium hyaluronate (a high-molecular weight form of HA) to boost hydration, along with mineral-rich seaweed, sea salt and aloe vera for a fresh, dewy glow. Spritz after cleansing and before applying your face serums. You can also mist between each step of your routine to lock in layers of hydration. Pro tip: Store Sea Minerals Mist in the fridge and spritz throughout the day for a refreshing pick-me-up.
Step 3
Serum
The most active step in any skincare routine, serums deliver targeted benefits—from visibly smoothed lines to brighter-looking skin—for just about every skin type. These lightweight formulas contain active ingredients (like vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid and bio-retinol) designed to address specific skin concerns.
Dry, mature skin? We recommend Hyaluronic Sea Serum. Apply a few drops of the fast-absorbing formula to damp skin and watch as Japanese Miru seaweed, hyaluronic acid and volcanic marine ferment work magic to visibly improve elasticity and reduce lines and wrinkles while boosting hydration.
For visible results by morning, apply a few drops of our Dream Night Serum with Bio-Retinol as part of your nighttime routine. This powerful, seaweed-infused formula combines two firming peptides and algae-derived bio-retinol to reduce the look of crow’s feet, fine lines, wrinkles and deeper wrinkles as you sleep.
Step 4
Eye Care
The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face. That’s why it needs specialized formulas to deliver the nourishment it craves.
Start with our Ocean Eyes® Age-Defying Serum for bright, wide-awake-looking eyes. This bestselling formula, infused with seaweed, caffeine and a biomimetic tetrapeptide, reduces the look of dark circles, puffiness, fine lines and crow’s feet while hydrating skin. Plus, the cooling rollerball applicator refreshes and feels fantastic.
Top it off with our Advanced Repair Eye Cream to seal in moisture while improving the look of fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet, and to visibly firm and brighten. This ultra-rich cream combines brown seaweed and green microalgae with plant-derived squalane (from sustainable sugarcane) to provide long-lasting moisturization. Apply with your ring finger (lightest pressure) in gentle tapping motions.
Step 5
Moisturizers & Oils
Next up: moisturizer. All skin needs moisture, whether it’s dry, sensitive or oily. The key is finding the right combination of ingredients for you. Mature skin naturally loses moisture over time and benefits from the ultra-rich hydration of our Advanced Protection Cream. This luxuriously thick moisturizer, infused with bio-retinol, deeply hydrates while firming to visibly reduce wrinkles and promote a radiant, even-looking complexion. For nighttime, reach for our Dream Night Cream with Bio-Retinol to visibly improve lines and wrinkles without irritation. Wake up to refreshed, radiant skin.
For an everyday barrier cream for all skin types, consider Atmosphere® Protection Cream. This lightweight moisturizer is clinically shown to instantly create a barrier between skin and environmental pollutants.
Oily and combination skin needs moisture too. A weightless gel formula like our Seabiotic® Water Cream delivers hydration for up to 72 hours without feeling heavy.
Face oils are one of our favorite ways to seal in moisture. They lock in everything beneath while delivering their own concentrated benefits, and can be used alone or layered over our water-based creams and lotions. Smooth on our pink microalgae-powered Essential Hydrating Oil to visibly reduce lines and wrinkles and leave skin luminous. For sensitive skin, reach for Dayglow Face Oil®. Organic Moroccan argan oil infused with Undaria seaweed nourishes for a dewy, glazed finish.
Step 6
Sunscreen
This is the essential last step in your daily routine. UV damage happens year-round. Through windows. Even on cloudy days. So SPF is necessary every day of the year. The trick is finding one you'll actually want to wear. You need something that protects, primes for makeup and layers nicely over everything else in your routine.
Enter Marine Screen SPF 50—a daily mineral sunscreen designed for the sun you live in. This clean, lightweight, fragrance-free formula delivers broad-spectrum protection to help prevent visible signs of aging while nourishing skin. Non-nano zinc oxide, a clean, eco-friendly, mineral filter shields against both UVA and UVB rays, while nutrient-rich seaweed and hyaluronic acid hydrate skin. Blendable, non-greasy and untinted, it wears beautifully on its own, over moisturizer, or under makeup. Marine Screen is suitable for all skin types and safe for sensitive skin. It's not just sunscreen for the beach; it's a defense for everyday living.
Need help creating your custom routine? Discover the best products for your skin with our Skin Quiz.