How to Layer Vegan Skincare Products (The Right Way)
Ever felt overwhelmed by the number of skincare products in your routine? You’re not alone. The secret to radiant, balanced skin isn’t just in the quality of the products you use - it’s in the order you apply them. Especially in vegan skincare, where formulas are often rich in active botanicals, getting the layering right ensures your skin absorbs every benefit.
At Ae Botanicals Skincare, we’ve formulated a complete system that makes layering effortless, with each product designed to complement the next, naturally, ethically, and effectively.
Let’s walk through the perfect vegan skincare layering routine, including key ingredients, skin benefits, and the exact products from our range to help you get the most out of every step.
Step-by-Step Vegan Skincare Routine
Step 1: Cleanser (Morning & Night)
A clean canvas is essential. Starting your routine with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities, sunscreen, or makeup without disrupting your skin barrier.
- Product: Cleanse Kanohi Horoi Gentle Cleanser
- Hero Ingredients: kumerahou (natural foaming cleanser), sunflower oil, jojoba oil, jojoba beads
- Full Ingredients: Caprylic/capric triglycerides, sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil, macadamia seed oil, Juniperus virginiana oil, citrus nobilis oil, vanilla planifolia fruit oil, vegetable glycerin, kumerahou extract, decyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside, glyceryl stearate, MCT oil, sesame oil, vegetable plant-based squalane, shea butter, avocado oil, lavender, rose geranium essential oil, benzyl alcohol & dehydroacetic acid, lactic acid (to correct pH), potassium sorbate
- Benefits: Detoxifies, softens, soothes inflammation, supports sensitive skin, and preps the skin for layering without stripping. Jojoba beads gently exfoliate to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, promote cell turnover, and enhance skin smoothness without causing irritation, making it suitable even for sensitive skin. Also helpful for those experiencing congestion, dullness, or flaky skin. Jojoba beads gently exfoliate to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, promote cell turnover, and enhance skin smoothness without causing irritation, making it suitable even for sensitive skin.
Step 2: Clay Treatment or Mask (2–3x a week)
If you’re masking or using a treatment, apply after cleansing. This is the moment to detoxify, exfoliate, or rebalance.
- Product: Nurture Me Clay Blend
- Hero Ingredients: halloysite clay, NZ glacial clay, fucoidan seaweed
- Full Ingredients: Matauri Bay halloysite clay, New Zealand glacial clay, fucoidan seaweed extract, bentonite clay
- Benefits: Draws out impurities, gently exfoliates, tightens pores, enhances skin tone, and delivers essential minerals to support overall skin clarity. Great for oily or acne-prone skin and those needing a detoxifying reset.
Step 3: Day Serum / Hydrating Boost (Morning)
Serums are lightweight but powerful. They deliver concentrated actives deep into your skin.
- Product: Dawn Glow Day Serum
- Hero Ingredients: hyaluronic acid (high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid), vitamin C (ascorbyl glucoside), mamaku
- Full Ingredients: Water, squalane, vitamin C, vitamin B5, coconut-derived caprylate, plant-derived emulsifier, plant-based humectant, mamaku, HLA high, HLA low, colloidal minerals, eco-certified preservative, natural thickener, potassium sorbate
- Benefits: Hydrates, plumps, supports collagen production, improves skin elasticity, and brightens your skin for an all-day glow. Ideal for dehydrated, dull, or stressed skin showing early signs of aging.
Step 4: Moisturiser (Morning & Night)
Moisturiser locks in hydration and creates a protective barrier.
- Product: Universal Moisturiser Whakamākuku
- Hero Ingredients: avocado oil, provitamin B5, colloidal minerals, kawakawa
- Full Ingredients: Aqua, avocado oil, provitamin B5, emulgade, glycerine, hazelnut oil, macadamia oil, potassium sorbate, kawakawa extract, castor oil, amaze, colloidal minerals, rosemary
- Benefits: Deeply nourishes, soothes inflammation, calms irritation, improves skin barrier resilience, and supports all skin types, including sensitive and reactive. Especially beneficial for redness, eczema-prone skin, and those needing moisture barrier repair.
Step 5: Night Repair (Evening)
Nighttime is when your skin goes into recovery mode. Apply a nutrient-rich night serum to deeply nourish and renew.
- Product: Golden Glimmer Night Serum
- Hero Ingredients: rosehip oil, jojoba oil, coenzyme Q10, kawakawa, reishi mushroom extract, frankincense
- Full Ingredients: Rosehip, jojoba, camellia, CoQ10, kawakawa extract, coco caprylate, kanuka, reishi mushroom extract, rose, cedarwood, mandarin, frankincense
- Benefits: Revitalizes overnight, targets fine lines and wrinkles, improves skin texture and tone, supports collagen synthesis, and promotes youthful radiance. Perfect for skin showing signs of fatigue, stress, or environmental damage.
Step 6: Multi-Use Oils (As Needed)
For a luxurious final touch or whenever your skin, body, or spirit needs extra nourishment, massage in a multi-use oil.
- Hero Ingredients: camellia oil, hazelnut oil, kawakawa, vitamin E
- Full Ingredients: Camellia oil, hazelnut oil, coconut oil, kawakawa extract, vitamin E, rose, vanilla, ylang ylang
- Benefits: Provides full-body hydration, deeply nourishes dry skin, enhances relaxation through aromatherapy, promotes soft, glowing skin, and supports overall well-being. Great for restoring skin after sun exposure, showering, or as a calming massage treatment.
- Hero Ingredients: sunflower oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, kawakawa
- Full Ingredients: Sunflower oil, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, kawakawa extract, roman chamomile, mandarin, lavender
- Benefits: Calms and restores, soothes dry or reactive skin, enhances mood with therapeutic essential oils, and helps maintain skin’s natural balance and glow. It is ideal for sensitive skin types and those seeking a natural way to unwind and de-stress.
Summary
Layering your skincare properly doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to be intentional. With Ae Botanicals Skincare, each product is crafted to deliver real results using vegan, cruelty-free, and naturally sourced ingredients. By following a consistent vegan skincare routine that starts with gentle cleansing, followed by targeted serums, nourishing moisturisers, and luxurious multi-use oils, you’re not only promoting healthy skin but also supporting ethical beauty practices.
Our formulas are enriched with native New Zealand plants like kawakawa, kumerahou, mamaku, and fucoidan, as well as active botanicals like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, rosehip oil, and reishi mushroom extract, chosen for their ability to address real skin concerns like dryness, acne, inflammation, aging, and sensitivity.
Whether you're building your first vegan skincare ritual or refining an existing routine, Ae Botanicals offers high-performance, multi-use solutions that simplify your shelf and elevate your glow.
Embrace the power of plant-based skincare. Hydrate, nourish and restore, naturally.