Your Morning Skincare Routine

Your daytime routine is designed to prepare your skin for the day ahead while shielding it from UV rays, pollution and other daily stressors that can accelerate aging.

Step 1: Cleanser

Even if you cleansed the night before, a gentle morning cleanse removes overnight oil build-up, sweat, and any residue from your overnight products. Look for a mild, non-stripping formula, brands like Clinique and Dermalogica offer excellent gentle cleansers across a range of skin types. Explore our full range of Cleansers & Toners to find a formula suited to your skin.

Ballantynes Beauty Tip: If you have dry or sensitive skin, a simple splash of cool water (rather than a full cleanse) in the morning can be enough to refresh without over-stripping your natural oils.

Step 2: Serum

This is where the real work happens. Serums are highly concentrated formulas designed to target specific skin concerns, from fine lines and hyperpigmentation to dehydration and dullness. For morning, look for antioxidant-rich serums that help protect the skin from environmental damage throughout the day. Estée Lauder, Clinique and La Prairie's are all standout options available in-store. Shop our full Serums & Oils collection for options across every concern.

Generally, apply a pea sized amount to clean, toned skin and press it in gently with your fingertips. Allow it to absorb for 30 to 60 seconds before moving to the next step. Keep in mind that application can vary slightly depending on the product.

Ballantynes Beauty Tip: If you're using multiple serums, apply the thinnest formula first and wait a moment between layers. Don't mix active ingredients without knowing they're compatible, our in-store consultants can guide you through building a safe, effective stack.

Step 3: Eye Cream

The skin around your eyes is significantly thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, making it more prone to showing early signs of ageing. A dedicated Eye Care product, applied before your moisturiser, targets concerns like dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines. Clarins, Lancôme and Shiseido are consistently among our most-loved in-store recommendations.

Apply with your ring finger, it naturally uses the least pressure, using small, gentle patting motions from the inner to outer corner of the eye.

Ballantynes Beauty Tip: Eye cream should always go on before your moisturiser. If you apply it after, the heavier face cream can prevent the eye formula from penetrating effectively.

Step 4: Moisturiser

A good moisturiser does two things: it hydrates the skin and seals in everything you've applied underneath. Even oily skin types need a moisturiser, choose a lightweight, oil-free gel formula rather than skipping this step entirely. La Prairie, Clinique's, and Dermalogica are often favourites with our customers. Browse our Moisturisers range for options spanning every texture and skin type.

Ballantynes Beauty Tip: Apply your moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp from your serum. This helps lock in moisture more effectively.

Step 5: SPF (Never Skip This Step)

SPF is the single most important skincare product for long-term skin health, yet it remains the most commonly skipped step. Daily sun protection is the best defence against premature ageing, hyperpigmentation, and skin damage, and it's non-negotiable, even on overcast New Zealand days. Find your perfect daily defence in our SPFs & Self Tan collection.

Apply SPF as the final step of your morning routine, after moisturiser. Choose at least SPF 30, and SPF 50 if you're spending time outdoors. 

Ballantynes Beauty Tip: Many people under-apply SPF and only receive a fraction of the stated protection. Use approximately a teaspoon for your face and neck, and reapply every two hours if you're spending extended time in the sun.

Your Evening Skincare Routine

Your nighttime routine is your skin's repair window. While you sleep, cell turnover increases and your skin becomes more receptive to active ingredients. This is the time to focus on treatment and restoration.

Step 1: Double Cleanse

Evening cleansing is more involved than the morning, particularly if you've worn makeup or SPF during the day. Double cleansing, first with an oil-based cleanser, then a water-based one, ensures you thoroughly remove all traces of product, sunscreen, and the day's pollution without stripping your skin. Find your ideal formulas in our Cleansers & Toners section.

• First cleanse: A cleansing oil, balm, or micellar water to dissolve makeup, SPF, and sebum.
• Second cleanse: Your regular water-based cleanser to clean the skin itself.

Ballantynes Beauty Tip: If you didn't wear makeup or SPF, a single cleanse in the evening is generally sufficient.

Step 2: Exfoliant or Mask (2–3 Times per Week)

The evening is the ideal time to incorporate chemical exfoliants (AHAs like glycolic acid, or BHAs like salicylic acid) or treatment masks into your routine, never in the morning, when you're about to expose freshly exfoliated skin to UV. Explore our Masks & Peels collection for options suited to every skin concern.

Use after cleansing on the evenings you choose to exfoliate, and skip your other active serums on those nights to avoid over-stimulating the skin. 

Ballantynes Beauty Tip: Less is more with exfoliation. 2–3 times per week is plenty for most skin types. Over-exfoliating leads to sensitivity, redness, and a compromised skin barrier.

Step 3: Treatment Serum

Nighttime is when your skin best absorbs and responds to powerful active ingredients. This is where retinol, peptides, niacinamide, and restorative serums come into their own. Estée Lauder' and Elizabeth Arden are exceptional options for overnight treatment and renewal. Shop our Serums & Oils range to find your evening treatment.

Ballantynes Beauty Tip: If you're new to retinol, start slowly, two to three times a week, using a low-strength formula, and build up gradually. Always introduce one new active at a time so you can monitor how your skin responds.

Step 4: Eye Cream

Apply your eye cream using the same technique as the morning, gentle patting with your ring finger, before your night cream or moisturiser.

Step 5: Night Cream or Moisturiser

Night creams are typically richer than daytime moisturisers, designed to support skin's overnight repair and regeneration. Bobbi Brown's Extra Face Oil, La Prairie's Platinum Rare Haute-Rejuvenation Cream, Clinique's Repairwear Laser Focus Night Cream, and Estée Lauder's Revitalizing Supreme+ Night Cream are all outstanding choices available in-store at Ballantynes. Browse our full Moisturisers collection.

Step 6: Face Oil or Sleeping Mask (Optional)

For an extra boost of hydration, particularly in winter or if your skin skews dry, finish with a few drops of a nourishing face oil or a sleeping mask. These seal in your entire routine and work with your skin's overnight repair processes.

Ballantynes Beauty Tip: Oils go on last in your routine — they are occlusive, meaning they form a barrier. Applying a serum on top of an oil means the serum won't be able to absorb properly.

Don't Forget: Beauty From Within

Great skin isn't only the result of what you apply topically. What you put into your body matters just as much. Beauty supplements, from collagen powders to antioxidant blends, can support skin health from the inside out, complementing your topical routine beautifully. Explore our Supplements range for options to complete your skincare ritual.

Extend Your Routine: Body & Shower Care

A truly elevated skincare routine doesn't stop at the neck. Your body deserves the same care and attention. Our Soaps, Scrubs & Shower Gels range features luxurious formulas to cleanse, polish, and prep your skin for body moisturisers, a perfect addition to your morning or evening ritual.

Your At-a-Glance Routine Summary

Morning

• Step 1 — Cleanser
• Step 2 — Toner
• Step 3 — Serum (antioxidant / vitamin C)
• Step 4 — Eye Cream
• Step 5 — Moisturiser
• Step 6 — SPF 30–50+

Evening

• Step 1 — Double Cleanse (oil + water-based)
• Step 2 — Exfoliant or Mask (2–3x per week)
• Step 3 — Toner
• Step 4 — Treatment Serum (retinol / peptides / niacinamide)
• Step 5 — Eye Cream
• Step 6 — Night Cream / Moisturiser
• Step 7 — Face Oil or Sleeping Mask (optional)