How to apply The Daily Essentials

The Daily Essentials is designed to be simple enough to use without thinking about it. Hydrating Face Serum goes first. Mattifying Moisturiser follows. The order matters because each texture has a different job to do.

Start with slightly damp skin

Cleanse your face, then leave the skin slightly damp rather than drying it completely. That small amount of water gives the serum more to bind and helps it spread evenly.

Use one pump of Hydrating Face Serum. Smooth it across the face and neck, taking it right up to the hairline and slightly into it. Work beneath facial hair as well as over it. The skin underneath still needs hydration, and the formula helps facial hair feel softer and better conditioned.

The serum is water-light and usually absorbs in around ten seconds. It brings immediate hydration into the first step of the routine, while niacinamide, Chlorella microalgae, hyaluronic acid, prebiotics and a biomimetic peptide begin supporting oil control, texture, tone, collagen and the skin barrier.

Follow with Mattifying Moisturiser

Once the serum has absorbed, apply a pea-sized amount of Mattifying Moisturiser over the same areas. Spread it evenly across the face and neck, up to the hairline and beneath facial hair. Work it in until nothing is left sitting on the surface.

The moisturiser helps the skin hold on to the hydration supplied by the serum. Rice starch controls visible shine from the first application while preserving the natural reflection that makes healthy skin look like skin. Chlorella, hyaluronic acid, prebiotics and peptides add further support for hydration, excess oil, the barrier and skin structure.

Why the order matters

The lighter serum supplies water and concentrated actives first. The moisturiser follows to reduce water loss, support the barrier and control the oil already visible on the surface.

Reversing the order makes it harder for the water-light serum to spread and absorb evenly. Used in the intended order, the two formulas settle cleanly and leave the skin hydrated, comfortable and controlled rather than coated.

Cover the areas men often miss

The forehead, temples, sides of the face, jaw, neck and skin beneath facial hair all count. Stopping short of the hairline leaves a visible strip untreated, particularly where dryness, uneven texture or shine is already present.

Take both products right up to the hairline. Moving slightly into it is fine. Apply beneath a beard or stubble rather than treating facial hair as the edge of the face.

Morning and night

Use both products in the same order every morning and evening. The first application improves hydration, comfort, smoothness and visible shine. Consistent use allows the work on excess oil, the barrier, texture, tone and skin structure to build.

That is the complete method. About one minute, morning and night, with every part of the face included.

Written by

Freddie Sheridan

I started YCODE because most skincare was never designed for men’s skin. What I write here is what the formulators taught me, and what the trials actually found.

More about YCODE →