What order should I apply my skincare in?
Short answer: Cleanse, apply your treatment or serum, then moisturizer, then sunscreen in the morning. At night, skip sunscreen. A simple rule: go from the thinnest texture to the thickest, and keep strong actives to one per routine.
Key takeaways
- Morning: cleanser, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen.
- Night: cleanser, treatment, moisturizer.
- Thin to thick, water-based before oil-based.
- Too many actives at once can irritate skin and make it look worse.
What is a good morning order?
- Cleanser. Gentle, then pat dry.
- Serum. Vitamin C or niacinamide are common morning choices.
- Eye cream. Pat it on with your ring finger, the lightest touch.
- Moisturizer.
- Sunscreen. Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, always last before makeup.
- Makeup, if you wear it.
What is a good night order?
- Remove makeup and sunscreen. A cleansing balm works well.
- Cleanser.
- Treatment. This is where a retinoid, kojic acid or other active goes.
- Eye cream.
- Moisturizer.
Do you need to wait between steps?
For most products, a minute or so for each layer to settle is enough. If a product pills or rubs off, use less of it or wait a little longer.
How many products is too many?
The American Academy of Dermatology warns that using too many products, especially more than one anti-aging product, can irritate skin. Three to five steps is plenty for most people.
Used in this routine
Our Fresh Morning Set covers a cleansing balm, a vitamin C serum and a moisturizer in the right order. For a simple hydrating routine, see the Glow Routine.
FAQ
Does sunscreen go before or after moisturizer?
After. Sunscreen is the last skincare step in the morning.
Where does toner go?
Right after cleansing, before serums.
Sources
General information, not medical advice. Patch test new products on a small area first. If a spot changes shape, color or size, or a product burns, see a board-certified dermatologist.
This article is general information, not medical advice. See a dermatologist for skin conditions.