If you’ve ever stood in front of your bathroom mirror, holding two different bottles and wondering which one goes on first, you are not alone.
Does the serum go on before the moisturizer? Does sunscreen come before or after everything else? It can feel like you need a chemistry degree just to wash your face properly.
The world of skincare has become incredibly complicated. With ten-step routines and endless new product categories, it’s easy to get lost.
We buy products that promise to fix our problems, but if we apply them in the wrong order, we might not be getting the benefits we paid for. Worse, we could even be causing irritation.
The good news is that you don’t need an elaborate, time-consuming ritual to have healthy skin. The secret isn’t in having more products; it’s in applying the few you do have in the right sequence.
I decided to cut through the noise and figure out the definitive, dermatologist-approved order for a simple, effective routine.
Why Order Matters So Much
Before we get into the steps, it helps to understand why the order is so important. Think of it like getting dressed in the rain. You wouldn’t put your raincoat on first and then your sweater over it. It just wouldn’t work.
Skincare products are formulated with different molecular sizes and purposes. Some are designed to deliver active ingredients deep into the skin, while others are meant to sit on top and form a protective barrier. Applying a thick, heavy cream first will block lighter, water-based serums from ever reaching their destination.
Following the correct order for skincare routine ensures that each product can do its job effectively, without being blocked or diluted by the others. A good rule of thumb is to apply products from the thinnest consistency to the thickest.
The Simple Morning Routine (3 to 4 Steps)
The goal of your morning routine is simple: to protect your skin from the environmental stressors it will face throughout the day, primarily UV radiation and pollution.
Step 1: Cleanse
This is the foundation of every good routine. In the morning, you’re washing away any sweat, oil, and residual products from the night before. This creates a clean canvas for the products that follow.
Most dermatologists recommend a gentle, non-stripping cleanser. If your skin feels tight or “squeaky clean” after washing, your cleanser is likely too harsh and is damaging your skin barrier. For those with very dry or sensitive skin, sometimes just a splash of lukewarm water is enough.
Step 2: Treat (Optional but Recommended)
This is where you use a targeted treatment, usually a serum. Serums are lightweight, concentrated formulas designed to deliver a high dose of active ingredients. In the morning, the gold standard is an antioxidant serum.
Antioxidants, like Vitamin C, act as a second layer of defense against environmental damage. They help neutralize free radicals from UV exposure and pollution that your sunscreen might miss. Apply a few drops to your dry face after cleansing.
Step 3: Moisturize
Every skin type needs a moisturizer. Yes, even oily skin. A moisturizer’s primary job is to hydrate the skin and support its natural barrier. A healthy barrier keeps moisture in and irritants out.
In the morning, a lightweight lotion or cream is usually sufficient. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides. This step locks in your treatment serum and preps the skin for the final, most crucial step.
Step 4: Sunscreen (Non-Negotiable)
If you only do one thing for your skin, make it this. Dermatologists are unanimous: applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every single day is the most effective thing you can do to prevent premature aging and skin cancer.
Sunscreen is always the last step in your morning skincare routine. It needs to form an uninterrupted shield over your skin.
Applying it before your moisturizer or serum would dilute it and render it less effective. Wait a minute or two for your moisturizer to absorb before applying your sunscreen generously.
The Simple Evening Routine (3 to 4 Steps)
Your nighttime routine is all about cleansing, treating, and recovering. While you sleep, your skin goes into repair mode. This is the ideal time to use targeted treatments and richer moisturizers.
Step 1: Cleanse (or Double Cleanse)
At night, you have more to remove: a day’s worth of makeup, sunscreen, oil, and grime. A single cleanse might not be enough to get everything off. This is where the “double cleanse” comes in.
Start with an oil-based cleanser or a balm to break down and dissolve makeup and sunscreen. Then, follow up with your regular gentle, water-based cleanser to wash everything away. This two-step process ensures your skin is truly clean and ready for your treatment products.
Step 2: Treat
Nighttime is the prime opportunity to use active ingredients focused on repair and cell turnover, like retinoids (e.g., retinol) or chemical exfoliants (like AHAs or BHAs). These ingredients can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which is why they are best used before bed.
It’s important not to overdo it here. Most people don’t need to use a strong active every single night.
You might use a retinoid one night and a gentle exfoliant another night, with “recovery” nights in between where you skip this step completely. Always apply your treatment to clean, dry skin before your moisturizer.
Step 3: Eye Cream (Optional)
The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, so it can benefit from a dedicated product. Eye creams are formulated to be gentle yet effective for concerns like fine lines or puffiness.
Gently tap a small amount around your orbital bone using your ring finger. If you prefer to keep things simple, your regular facial moisturizer is often perfectly fine for the eye area, as long as it doesn’t cause irritation.
Step 4: Moisturize
Your final step at night is to apply your moisturizer. At night, you can opt for a slightly thicker or richer cream than you use in the morning.
This helps to lock in moisture, seal in your treatment serum, and support your skin’s natural repair processes while you sleep. Applying moisturizer last creates a protective barrier that prevents water loss overnight.
Keeping It Simple Is Key
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of products available. But you don’t need a complicated, multi-step regimen to have healthy skin. A consistent routine with just a few well-chosen products, applied in the correct sequence, is far more effective.
If you’re ever in doubt, just remember the golden rule: thinnest to thickest. By following this simple logic, you ensure each product can perform at its best.
Mastering the correct order for skincare routine isn’t about becoming an expert in chemistry; it’s about creating a simple, logical system that supports your skin’s health day in and day out.