Apply toner before or after mask

Are you confused about all the different steps?

Here are the steps – and the right way to order them – recommended by our estheticians for the best results.

STEP 1: DOUBLE CLEANSE

Start with an oil-based cleanser to remove oil-based impurities. This step is essential as water-based cleansers alone won't remove things like your makeup, your night cream, SPF, and oil commingled with impurities. This gets rid of skin baggage.

Follow up with a gentle water-based cleanser to remove residual impurities. This gentle two-step process helps keep skin cleansed down to pores while keeping the skin barrier intact.

Some cleansers effectively combine the two steps.

Getting this step right can have profound and very fast results - including less sensitivity, less breakouts, and more glow.

Shop the All-in-One Cleanser our Estheticians Recommend

STEP 2: TONER / ESSENCE

After cleansing, when skin is still slightly damp, apply a hydrating toner. Korean toners typically balance the skin's pH back to a healthy ~5.5 while imparting instant hydration.

Follow up with an essence as they are formulated to truly drench skin with hydration. This is key for a healthy skin environment and essences are incredibly effective ways to bring moisture to the deeper layers of the skin.

Some products double as toners and essences. For toners, essences or toning essences, if they're great at hydrating, apply a handful of layers on and watch your skin get super hydrated and plumped up!

Shop the Toning Essence Our Estheticians Recommend

STEP 3: EXFOLIATORS / MASKS

Now your skin is cleansed, toned and hydrated. It's primed to be gently (remember, being harsh on skin is never a good thing) exfoliate. Typically, exfoliators should be applied as follows.
Dry/Sensitive Skin – 2 Times Weekly
Combination/ Oily Skin – 3 Times Weekly
Normal Skin – 2-3 Times depending on how your skin feels that week!

Some exfoliators can be used daily and the product instructions will specify that.

After cleansing and toning is also when you would apply sheet masks, modeling masks, wash-off masks. You can apply these daily to weekly depending on the product. Sheet masks typically are great for daily use - if you want a fast track to well hydrated skin.

Can you mask after exfoliating? Will exfoliating enhance the effects of your mask? Typically, yes. However, if the mask and exfoliator are both meant to exfoliate, that's too much for skin.

Shop the Mask Set Created By An Esthetician

STEP 4: TREATMENTS

You're cleansed, toned and hydrated. Depending on the day of the week, you're also freshly exfoliated. Now it's time for serums, ampoules and oils. The order of these products are generally from thinnest to thickest in consistency.

The only thing to note: if you're applying acids, generally apply vitamin C first, then BHA, then AHA, then your other treatments because you want to go from lower pH to higher pH for optimal results.

Did you use a mask after cleansing and toning? You can skip the treatments then - or double down for even more intensive results.

Typically, your skin will love the pampering (in facials, a whole lot of products are massaged into skin), but do be careful that you're not too layering on too many acids, vitamin C, or retinol-based formulas altogether. Otherwise, layers of hydrating and nourishing ingredients are loved by skin.

Shop the Recommended Treatment for Winter-time

STEP 5: SEALANTS (MOISTURIZERS)

You did so much good for your skin. Now, it's time to seal it all in with a moisturizer that's right for your skin type. If your skin is dry or normal - a slightly heavier moisturizer is great, especially in the winter months. If your skin is oily or combination - a lighter moisturizer that is water-based and one that doesn't clog pores is recommended. Don't forget the eye area needs extra love. And of course, in the AM, SPF, always.

Shop this super comforting cream that seals it all in

Want the deep dive on the skincare steps?

Have more questions? Email us at . Our estheticians will provide personalized recommendations.

LuxeLuminous is reader supported. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.

The Korean skincare routine isn’t just a trend. It is here to stay. And many have already adapted to the multiple steps in the Korean skincare world. However, with those multiple steps and multiple products, it can be confusing on which one to use first!

So do you use a face toner before or after a mask? You might be surprised to learn that the answer to that is both. You can use face toner before and after using a mask. We’ll provide you with the details on that plus the importance of applying skincare products in the proper order below.


Contents

  • 1 Importance Of Applying Skincare Products In The Right Order
    • 1.1 Step 1: Cleanse
    • 1.2 Step 2: Toner
    • 1.3 Step 3: Masks
    • 1.4 Step 4: Treatments
    • 1.5 Step 5: Moisturizers
  • 2 Effect Of Face Toner Before Or After a Mask
    • 2.1 Toner Before a Mask
    • 2.2 Toner After a Mask
  • 3 Conclusion

Importance Of Applying Skincare Products In The Right Order

Are you putting skincare products on your face and not seeing the results that you want? It may not necessarily be due to the products you are applying. The order you are applying them matters a lot, too. Does the toner go before the mask, or after? What about toners and exfoliation?

It’s so confusing!

Although you add all those good ingredients to your skin when you use skincare products, you might not be doing it in the most efficient way. There may be a better way to make sure that all those ingredients are properly absorbed and used by the skin. That is by applying them in the right order. 

Here is a simplified order on how your skincare products should be used:

Step 1: Cleanse

Cleansing the face doesn’t just involve washing it with a cleanser. This step will also include the use of makeup remover . See our article on makeup removers here.

Some people take cleansing to a whole new level by double-cleansing. In this process, the first use cleansing oil  to remove all the dirt and makeup.

Afterward, they’d also use a gentler facial cleanser  and water.

Step 2: Toner

Toners  have various uses. They can help you bring back the pH of your skin to the more acidic one after using alkaline cleaners.

Furthermore, they also help hydrate the skin and prepare it to receive the products that come after. Through the toners, the skin can better absorb the ingredients of the succeeding products. They are typically used twice per day.

Sometimes, toners could also be known as toning essences. These also help prep the skin.

Step 3: Masks

Masks  aren’t usually used daily. Many use them 2-3 times a week and get the results that they want.

Sheet masks  are also available and they can be used every day to boost hydration.

Like other skincare products, masks come in different formulations and can be homemade. They are also made for different skin needs, and there are even “smart” masks like the Foreo UFO , which we looked at here.

Typically, masks will be applied to the skin when it is already cleaned. Some people may interchange the use of toners before masks and that is okay as long as the skin is already cleansed. 

Step 4: Treatments

The next step in the skincare routine is the application of treatments that you feel your skin needs. Some people may choose to skip this step but others who feel their skin drive some more pampering do this step as well.

Skincare products that fall under this would include your facial serums, oils, ampoules , as well as other treatments that have Vitamin C , acids , or retinol .

Step 5: Moisturizers

The last step in the skincare routine is to seal it all. You can do that with any moisturizer. Although other steps could already be moisturizing, the moisturizer used here is a bit thicker in consistency than the other fluids in the previous steps. It may come in the form of a cream .

However, those who have oily skin may also choose moisturizers that are lighter or those that are water-based . See this article for those with combination skin.

They’ll still work well in sealing all the other skincare products that you used in the previous steps. 


The order of using the toner and face mask can be interchanged depending on preference. Some prefer to use a toner before the mask because it can help prep the skin. With properly prepped skin, it can better absorb the ingredients on the mask. 

Toner Before a Mask

The toner could help ensure that the face is thoroughly cleansed before you apply the mask. This can help with the uptake on the mask. Additionally, using a toner can also help soothe the skin before the mask is applied.

Most people prefer to use the toner before the mask, but some like to go the other way.

Toner After a Mask

You can always try using the toner again after your mask, and see how your skin feels. Although some interchange the steps, most find that using the toner twice, before and after the mask, is the most efficient way to do it.

There are benefits to this as well. A toner used after the mask can help the skin stay hydrated, soothe any irritation, prevent aging, and once again prepare the skin for the succeeding skincare products. 

Although there are benefits to applying the toner before and after the mask, it is really up to your preference as well as your skin’s needs.

Just remember to use a high-quality toner and carefully choose the right formula for your skin. Micellar water functions somewhat similarly to a toner in this case.


Conclusion

The right order of applying skincare products to your face matters. It can help the products to work more efficiently. With regards to facial toners and masks. It can be confusing whether you’d need to apply the toner before or after the mask. 

Applying the toner before the mask is helpful in preparing the skin for whatever ingredients the mask has. It also helps soothe the skin better, in preparation for the mask.

However, many find benefits to using the toner after you apply your mask. It can help rehydrate the skin and prep it once again for the other subsequent products. 

The choice between applying the toner before, after, or before and after the mask is a personal preference, and we suggest experimenting to see what works best.

Whatever your choice is, just make sure that the toner you use is of good quality and well suited for your skin.