What order to apply skin care, morning and night
The right order for skin care products, morning and night: cleanser, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, where retinoids go and which actives not to mix.
Written by the Glowpedia team · not yet reviewed by our dermatologist
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Quick answer Apply products from thinnest to thickest: cleanser, toner, serum or treatment, eye cream, moisturizer and, in the morning, sunscreen last. At night, use a retinoid or other treatment before moisturizer, and keep strong actives on separate nights.
The order you apply skin care matters for two reasons: each product needs to reach your skin, and sunscreen has to sit on top to protect you. The basic rule is simple: thinnest to thickest, with sunscreen last in the morning.
The basic rules
- Thinnest to thickest. Watery products first, then serums, then creams. A thick cream applied first can keep a thin serum from reaching your skin.
- Treatments go close to the skin. Medicated products, such as a prescription acne gel, usually go on right after cleansing, unless your dermatologist tells you otherwise.
- Sunscreen is the last skin care step in the morning. Makeup goes on top.
- Fewer is better. Every extra product adds another chance of irritation, especially if several are anti-aging actives.
Morning order
- Cleanser: a gentle one, with lukewarm water.
- Toner (optional).
- Serum: for example vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or niacinamide. Use one serum at a time.
- Eye cream (optional), patted on with your ring finger.
- Moisturizer.
- Sunscreen: broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher. See sun protection.
- Makeup, if you wear it.
Night order
- Remove makeup and sunscreen, then cleanse.
- Toner (optional).
- Treatment: a retinoid such as retinol or adapalene, an exfoliating acid or a prescription product. One per night.
- Eye cream (optional).
- Face oil (optional).
- Moisturizer.
| Step | Morning | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleanser | Makeup remover, then cleanser |
| 2 | Toner (optional) | Toner (optional) |
| 3 | Serum, such as vitamin C | Treatment: retinoid or acid |
| 4 | Eye cream (optional) | Eye cream (optional) |
| 5 | Moisturizer | Face oil (optional), then moisturizer |
| 6 | Sunscreen | No sunscreen needed |
Retinoids belong at night because sunlight can break them down and they can make skin more sensitive. Face masks go after cleansing, on nights you skip strong treatments. See face masks.
Do you need to wait between layers?
There's no strict rule. Waiting until each layer feels mostly dry, usually a minute or so, helps the next one spread evenly and keeps products from pilling. Give sunscreen a few minutes to set before makeup. If a retinoid stings, apply it to completely dry skin, or put it on after your moisturizer to soften the effect.
Combinations to handle with care
- Retinoid and AHA or BHA: use them on different nights, not together.
- Vitamin C and exfoliating acids: use vitamin C in the morning and acids at night.
- Several exfoliants at once, such as an acid toner, a scrub and a peel mask: pick one. See how often to exfoliate.
- Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide spot treatments can make skin more sun-sensitive, so don't skip sunscreen.
- Prescription products: ask your dermatologist how to combine them with what you already use.
- Pregnancy: if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor before using retinoids or high-strength salicylic acid.
Keep it simple
Most skin does well with three steps: cleanser, moisturizer and, in the morning, sunscreen. Add one new product at a time, patch test it first and give it 1–2 weeks before adding another. If your skin turns red or stings, go back to the basics. For a plan built around your skin type, start with the skin type quiz.
What you need for this
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See a dermatologist if your routine leaves you with stinging, redness or peeling that lasts more than 1–2 weeks, or if you use prescription treatments and aren't sure how to combine them with other products.
Questions people ask
Do I apply moisturizer or sunscreen first?
Moisturizer first, then sunscreen as the last skin care step. If your moisturizer contains SPF and you use it as your sunscreen, it goes last.
Where does retinol go in my routine?
At night, after cleansing and before moisturizer. If it irritates your skin, try applying it after moisturizer, or use it fewer nights a week.
Can I use vitamin C and retinol together?
It's easiest to keep them apart: vitamin C in the morning under sunscreen, retinol at night.
Where do spot treatments go?
Right after cleansing, and toner if you use one, on the area that needs it, then moisturizer on top.