You have your foundation ready, your favourite brush nearby and somewhere to be. The skincare underneath your makeup should feel just as considered as the makeup itself. With face serum, the useful questions are how much to apply, what comes next and when your skin is ready for that first layer of coverage.
For our Supple Skin Duo, the starting point is Leonica’s own method: a small measured amount of serum on wet skin, followed by the moisturizer, then time to air dry. Here is how to fit that routine into a makeup morning.
Does face serum go before makeup?
Yes, skincare comes before makeup. The American Academy of Dermatology’s guide to application order places moisturizer and sunscreen before makeup.
Within your skincare steps, follow the directions for the products you actually use. A general layering chart cannot tell you the amount or application method for every serum. Our Supple Skin Duo brings the Face Serum and Moisturizer together as a complete two step face routine.
How much Supple Skin Face Serum should you use?
Use two to three drops, followed by half a dime sized amount of Supple Skin Moisturizer. That is the recommended method for the Duo. A full dropper is not the same amount as a few drops.
Makeup day is a good time to be deliberate about those quantities. Follow these amounts for your skincare steps; Leonica’s optional foundation tip below uses a separate, smaller amount. The Duo is already described as leaving skin soft, moisturized and supple, with a dewy finish. The makeup you choose will contribute its own finish on top.
Apply the serum to wet skin, then complete the Duo
Leonica’s directions are specific:
- After cleansing, leave your face wet.
- Apply two to three drops of Supple Skin Face Serum.
- Follow with half a dime sized amount of Supple Skin Moisturizer.
- Let your skin air dry.
The air drying step comes after both products. You do not need to turn the serum and moisturizer into two separate waiting periods. Follow the complete method first, then move on to the rest of your morning routine.
How long should you wait before applying makeup?
For the Duo, use the instruction to let your skin air dry as your starting point. We do not specify a universal five or ten minute countdown. Before moving on, check that your face is no longer visibly wet from the routine.
An easy way to make room for that pause is to do your skincare before choosing your clothes or setting out your makeup. You can give the routine time without standing at the mirror watching a timer.
Once you have applied your sunscreen, follow its own directions before makeup. Its instructions take priority over a general beauty tip about waiting times.
Where does sunscreen fit?
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends sunscreen after other skincare and beneath makeup. Let the Duo air dry, then apply your sunscreen as directed. Keep it as its own step rather than mixing it into the serum, moisturizer or foundation.
The Duo’s two steps are your face care pairing; they do not replace sunscreen. Use the amount and timing specified on your sunscreen label rather than reducing it to change how your makeup feels.
Leonica’s foundation tip for an extra glow
If you have melanated, normal to dry skin and love an extra dewy glow, here is Leonica’s tip: mix one drop of Supple Skin Face Serum and a quarter pump of Supple Skin Moisturizer into the portion of foundation you are about to apply. Blend together, then apply your makeup as usual.
Mix only that application’s portion, rather than adding the products to your foundation bottle. Keep sunscreen as its own separate step, as described above.
A Face Mist tip for excess shine
If excess shine is your concern, use our Face Mist before or after applying makeup to help reduce the appearance of shine.
Find your preferred finish without changing everything at once
Try the routine with makeup you already know. Use the recommended Duo amounts and your usual makeup application method, then notice how the combination looks and feels. If you want to experiment, change one makeup choice at a time so you can tell what made a difference.
A sheer tint and a matte foundation are different starting points. Your preference might be a little visible dew or a more matte look. There is no need to treat one finish as the correct result for everyone, or to assume a serum will make every foundation wear identically.
If texture interests you, read why similar ingredient lists can feel different. For a closer look at an ingredient found in both Duo products, explore our broccoli seed oil spotlight.
Make room for a simple, considered start to your makeup routine. Explore the Supple Skin Duo, choose your size and follow Leonica’s wet skin method for both steps.
