If you’ve ever stood in front of your bathroom mirror wondering whether to use your serum before your moisturizer, or where your PMD Clean, PMD Personal Microderm, or PMD Wave Pro fit into your order of skincare products, you’re definitely not alone. The skin care routine order can make or break how well your products perform — and trust us, getting it right makes a major difference in glow factor.
Think of your routine like a recipe: the right ingredients matter, but so does the order you add them. Layering products correctly ensures that your skin actually absorbs all those good-for-you actives, rather than having them sit uselessly on top. So let’s break down the correct skincare order, how to mix in your favorite PMD tools, and what order to put on skincare both morning and night for max results.
Why the Order of Skincare Matters
Your skin is smart — but it’s also a little picky. Certain products need to go on first to properly penetrate the skin, while others are designed to sit on top and lock everything in. Apply them out of order, and you might end up diluting actives or blocking absorption.
The rule of thumb? Go from thinnest to thickest — lightweight liquids first (like toners and serums), followed by richer creams and oils. And when you add in at-home devices, they help amplify this process by improving absorption, exfoliation, and circulation.
Morning Skincare Routine Order
Mornings are all about protection, hydration, and prepping your skin for the day ahead. Here’s your ultimate step-by-step:
Step 1: Cleanse
Start with a fresh canvas. Use the PMD Cleanse Soothing Antioxidant Cleanser with your PMD Clean to gently wash away oil and impurities from overnight. The SonicGlow™ technology delivers 7,000 vibrations per minute to loosen buildup, cleanse deep into pores, and wake up your skin — way more effective than using your hands alone.
Step 2: Tone (optional)
Balance and refresh your complexion with the PMD Soothe Soothing Antioxidant Toner. It calms irritation and preps the skin to absorb serums more effectively without any drying or tightness.
Step 3: Serum
Serums deliver the highest concentration of actives. In the morning, go for antioxidants like the PMD Radiant 20% Vitamin C Serum to brighten your complexion and protect against environmental stressors.
Step 4: Moisturize
Lock in hydration with your favorite lightweight moisturizer that complements your skin type.
Step 5: SPF (the non-negotiable)
Finish with broad-spectrum sunscreen, every single morning. SPF not only prevents premature aging but also protects against hyperpigmentation and post-acne marks.
Pro Tip: Use your PMD Clean Pro RQ after applying moisturizer — the ActiveWarmth™ facial massager helps serums and creams absorb deeper while giving your skin that post-facial glow.
Evening Skincare Routine Order
Nighttime is all about repair and renewal — giving your skin what it needs to recover and regenerate while you sleep.
Step 1: Double Cleanse
Start with the PMD Remove Makeup Removing Balm to melt away makeup, sunscreen, and oil. Then follow with your PMD Clean Acne and PMD Cleanse Soothing Antioxidant Cleanser for a deep, purifying cleanse that uses blue LED light to kill acne-causing bacteria while cleansing your pores.
Step 2: Exfoliate (1–2x per week)
Here’s where order and timing really count. Use your PMD Personal Microderm after cleansing to exfoliate dead, dull skin cells and reveal smoother, brighter skin. The patented spinning discs + calibrated vacuum suction increase circulation and boost collagen — basically, it’s an at-home spa treatment that preps your skin to drink up the rest of your products.
Step 3: Treatment or Serum
Now that your skin is clean and exfoliated, it’s time for your powerhouse serums. Layer in the PMD Renew HydratingPeptides™ Serum to support skin repair, strengthen your moisture barrier, and lock in hydration overnight.
Step 4: Moisturize
Seal everything in with a nourishing moisturizer or sleeping cream. Think of it as your skin’s cozy blanket.
Step 5: Extras (optional but amazing)
Pamper yourself with a sheet mask or facial massage using the PMD Wave Pro. Its Extract, Infuse, and Lift modes help depuff, firm, and enhance product absorption — making your nighttime routine feel ultra-luxurious.
How to Layer Skincare With At-Home Devices
If you’re wondering the order to apply skincare when using devices, here’s a cheat sheet:
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Cleanse → with PMD Clean or PMD Clean Acne
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Exfoliate → with PMD Personal Microderm (1x per week)
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Tone → optional
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Serums → like PMD Radiant Vitamin C or PMD Renew
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Moisturizer →
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Massage / Infuse → with PMD Clean Pro RQ or PMD Wave Pro
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SPF (day only)
This ensures your actives penetrate effectively and nothing blocks absorption. Devices always come first in the order of skin care routine — because they prep your skin and make everything else perform better.
Tips for Adapting Your Routine to Skin Concerns
Every skin type is unique, which means your order of skincare products might shift slightly depending on what your skin needs.
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For dry or sensitive skin: Focus on hydration. Use the PMD Clean Pro RQ with the warmth function to help serums absorb without irritation.
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For acne-prone skin: Keep your PMD Clean Acne in rotation daily. The blue light helps reduce bacteria and inflammation, preventing new breakouts.
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For dull or uneven texture: The PMD Personal Microderm once per week + PMD Refinish serum will help smooth and brighten quickly.
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For aging skin: Layer peptides and vitamin C in the morning, and use the PMD Wave Pro or Clean Pro at night to boost circulation and firm skin.
Final Thoughts: Mastering the Correct Skincare Order
Mastering the correct skincare order doesn’t have to be confusing — especially when you have tools that make every step work smarter. Think of your routine as a daily ritual: cleanse, treat, nourish, and protect.
By pairing your PMD favorites — from the PMD Clean for everyday cleansing to the PMD Personal Microderm for weekly renewal — you’re giving your skin exactly what it needs, in the order it wants it.
So next time you wonder what order to put on skincare, just remember: prep, treat, seal, protect — and let your PMD glow do the rest.
