A skincare or haircare routine isn’t about stacking endless products—it’s about using the right ones in order. In this article, we’ll learn about the “Build your skincare routine: Prep-Treat-Seal” method.
On Friday, 22 March, skincare enthusiasts gathered for The Ordinary’s debut event in Malaysia—an afternoon dedicated to education, exploration, and clinical skincare. Hislop introduced a simple, effective 3-step routine called Prep, Treat, Seal—a method ideal for skincare newcomers and pros alike.
That’s where the Prep, Treat, and Seal method comes in. Think of it as a three-step framework for building a routine that works: prepare your base, treat your concerns, and seal in the benefits. It’s simple, innovative, and effective.
Let’s break down: “Build your skincare routine: Prep-Treat-Seal.”
1. The Prep Phase: Setting the Foundation
Firstly, wash your skin with a cleanser. Even the best products can’t work without a clean, balanced base. A cleanser clears away accumulation, opens pathways for absorption, and primes your skin or hair actually to benefit from the next steps.
Follow these Steps:
- Cleanse: Cleanse your skin to remove dirt, oil, and leftover products. Use a cleanser that fits your skin/hair type.
- Exfoliate: Ditch dead skin or product residue. Stick to 1–3 times a week, depending on sensitivity.
- Balance (Tone): Restore pH levels and hydrate lightly. A toner or hydrating mist preps the surface for what’s next.
2. The Treat Phase: Care and Nourishment
This is where you get targeted and address specific skin concerns. These concerns may be —acne, dryness, dullness, breakage, frizz, you name it.
Skin:
- Serums with actives (Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Retinol, etc.)
- Spot treatments
- Masks
Hair:
- Protein treatments
- Deep conditioners
- Scalp serums
Incorporating Treats into Your Routine
Pick one or two treatments per routine at the latest. Start slow with activities and always patch-test new products. Give each product time to work—layering too much can cause irritation or cancel results.
3. The Seal Phase: Locking in Benefits
The Seal step is where we lock the advantages of our treatments and strengthen the skin barrier. Finally, sealing traps moisture and keeps active ingredients in place. It helps prevent water loss and protects your skin or hair from environmental stress. Without sealing, most of your efforts could go to waste.
Best Sealing Techniques
Skin:
- Use a moisturizer suitable for your skin—gel for oily skin and cream for dry skin.
- Finish with facial oil to lock in hydration, especially at night.
Hair:
- Apply leave-in conditioners or creams to retain moisture.
- Use oils or butter to seal in hydration, especially for curly or coily hair types.
Facial Oil (Optional)
Facial oils are stop consonant — they lock in moisture and add glow. They’re best for dry or mature skin or as a winter add-on. Apply after moisturizer or mix a drop into your cream. Don’t use oil before a water-based serum or moisturizer — it’ll block absorption.
Sunscreen (AM only, but always)
If you skip SPF, you’re inviting all your skin issues back in. Sun exposure aggravates hyperpigmentation, speeds up aging, and breaks down collagen. Even the best skincare won’t beat the damage from daily UV.
Choose for your skin:
- Mineral sunscreens If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.
2. Chemical sunscreens for a lightweight, invisible finish.
Putting It All Together: Sample Routines
Morning Routine (Basic to Advanced)
For Beginners
Cleanser
Vitamin C serum
Moisturizer
Sunscreen
Advanced
Cleanser
Hydrating toner
Vitamin C + Niacinamide
Moisturizer with peptides
Sunscreen
Night Routine (Basic to Advanced)
For Beginners
Cleanser
Hyaluronic acid or retinol
Moisturizer
Advanced
Double cleanse (oil + water-based)
Exfoliating toner (2–3x/week)
Treatment serum (retinol, Niacinamide, peptides)
Moisturizer
Occlusive (if needed)
Use this Template:
Use this template.
- Dry skin: Focus on hydrating treatments like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and ceramides.
- Oily skin: Use lightweight textures, oil control treatments, and non-comedogenic products.
- Acne-prone skin: Incorporate BHA, Niacinamide, or sulfur treatments, and avoid pore-clogging ingredients.
Aging skin: Emphasize retinoids, peptides, antioxidants, and barrier-repair.
Don’t?
- Using too many activities at once
- Skipping sunscreen
- Over-exfoliating
- Not moisturizing oily skin
- Constantly switching products before giving them time to work
The Prep–Treat–Seal method isn’t a trend—it’s a proven structure that simplifies and strengthens your skincare game. You don’t need a 12-step routine or expensive brands to get results. You need the proper steps, products, and discipline to be consistent. Follow the article “Build your skincare routine: Prep-treat-Seal” and get glowing skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long should I wait between each step?
Give each product 30 seconds to a minute to absorb before moving to the next.
Q: Do I have to treat every day?
No. Treatments are typically 2–5 times weekly, depending on your product and goals.
Q: What if I’m short on time?
Don’t worry. You can focus on prep and seal. You can treat less frequently, but don’t skip the basics.
Q: Can I mix actives in the treating phase?
Be careful with your routine. Some combos (like retinol + acids) can irritate. Stick to one active at a time unless you’re experienced.
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