How to Build Your Skincare Routine

Quick Guide

1. Cleanse (if needed) or rinse face with water

2. Apply treatment serum to damp skin

3. Apply moisturizer

4. Use sunscreen in the AM

Using Protocol Bottles

Our preservative-free Vitamin C Superserum and Enzyme-Active Retinol Serum are bottled in advanced, pharma-grade containers that block out all oxygen and UV, keeping them fresh, potent, and highly effective.

The bottles are a little tricky to use at first, but this video should make things clear:

Detailed routine

There’s no single perfect routine for all people. We recommend making small adjustments to your skincare regimen based on your skin’s unique needs, and depending on what other products are currently in your routine. Below, we have some guidance on how you can achieve your best skincare results using Protocol Skincare.

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Morning Protocol Routine

  1. Splash your face with water, and cleanse if needed.
  2. If you’re experiencing dehydration, splash your face with water repeatedly for a few minutes. This will allow your skin to absorb some of the water, enhancing the absorption of treatment serums. 
  3. Leave your skin damp. 
  4. Next, dispense one pump of the Vitamin C Superserum. Massage it gently into the skin, allowing it to sink in completely. 
  5. If your skin is dry, gently massage a pea-sized amount of moisturizer into your skin. We recommend the Protocol Hydration Cream to boost skin renewal and barrier repair or Water Lock for deep, immediate hydration. You can skip moisturizer if you have oily skin or use a very moisturizing sunscreen. 
  6. Let your moisturizer sink in completely - this may take up to 10 minutes. 
  7. Finally, apply enough sunscreen to benefit from the full SPF protection. A 1/4 teaspoon is usually recommended for the face and neck. 
  8. Give the sunscreen at least 10 minutes to form an even film before applying makeup.

Evening Protocol Routine

  1. Cleanse your face to remove the debris from the day, such as sebum, makeup, trace pollutants, and sunscreen. Consider double cleansing with an oil or balm cleanser if you wear makeup. 
  2. For optimal skin renewal, cleanse with the Double AHA Cleanser. To use it, splash your face with water, and dispense a small amount of cleanser into the palm of your hand. Apply the cleanser using gentle motions with minimal rubbing. For added exfoliation, leave it on your skin for up to 5 minutes. 
  3. Rinse the cleanser away with cool or lukewarm water, and leave skin damp. 
  4. Next, dispense one pump of a treatment serum like our Enzyme-Active Retinol Serum to smooth the skin, correct texture, and reverse signs of aging. 
  5. Let the serum sink into the skin, which may take a few minutes. For more intense results, wait up to 30 minutes before moving on to the next step. 
  6. Finally, apply a layer of moisturizer like Water Lock or the Niacinamide Hydration Cream to your skin.
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Routine FAQ

Developing a skincare routine should be a slow and steady process, where you take your time with each product. Here are our tips when you’re starting out:

  • Introduce one new product at a time to get a clear idea of how it works for you.
  • Do a skincare patch test by applying the product to a small patch of skin. This is a must if you have sensitive skin.
  • With powerful actives like retinol and AHA, consider using a few times a week or every other day at first, and slowly increase frequency.

Serums are light, water-based formulas with active ingredients that have specific beneficial effects. They’re meant to sink into the skin as much as possible, so they’re best applied to damp clean skin, after cleansing and before moisturizing. For maximum results, you can wait up to 30 minutes to allow your serums to absorb completely.

If you’re using multiple serums, always start by applying the product that you’re hoping will have the greatest impact (this should usually also be the product with the lowest pH level).

If you’re using multiple serums, always start by applying the product that you’re hoping will have the greatest impact (this should usually also be the product with the lowest pH level).

Most guidelines recommend applying toners and essences before serums. While we think this can be great if your toner contains chemical exfoliants, we find that serums serve as a better delivery system for the majority of skin-transforming ingredients.

Because our goal is to maximize the efficacy of the ingredients that are most beneficial to the skin, we think it’s best to apply serums like that before non-active toners.

Join the ranks of the skintellectuals!

There is so much more that can go into using skincare in a way that’s best for your skin’s unique needs. If you’d like to learn more about how to put together a routine and combine products, check out these guides:

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