The Ultimate Skincare Order: Morning to Night for Radiant Skin

Applying your skincare products in the wrong order can reduce their effectiveness by up to 50%. The correct skincare order ensures each product penetrates properly and delivers maximum benefits to your skin.

The Golden Rule of Skincare Order

Apply products from thinnest to thickest consistency. This allows lighter formulas to penetrate first, while heavier products seal everything in.

Water-based products go before oil-based products. Treatments go before moisturizers. Sunscreen always goes last in the morning.

Morning Skincare Order

Your AM routine focuses on protection and hydration. Here's the correct sequence:

Step 1: Cleanser

Start with a gentle cleanser to remove overnight oil and prepare your skin. If your skin isn't oily, water alone or a micellar water may suffice.

Why it matters: Clean skin absorbs products better.

Step 2: Toner (Optional)

Toners balance pH and add a layer of hydration. Look for hydrating toners with hyaluronic acid or niacinamide.

Skip if: Your cleanser is pH-balanced and you prefer minimal steps.

Step 3: Serum

This is where your active ingredients go. Morning serums typically include:

• Vitamin C — Antioxidant protection against environmental damage
• Niacinamide — Pore minimizing and brightening
• Hyaluronic Acid — Deep hydration

Pro tip: Wait 30-60 seconds for serums to absorb before the next step.

Step 4: Eye Cream (Optional)

If you use eye cream, apply it before moisturizer. The delicate eye area benefits from targeted treatment.

Step 5: Moisturizer

Lock in all previous layers with a moisturizer suited to your skin type:

• Oily skin — Gel or lightweight lotion
• Dry skin — Rich cream
• Combination — Lotion or gel-cream

Step 6: Sunscreen (Non-Negotiable)

SPF 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen is the final step. This is the most important product in your routine for preventing aging and protecting skin health.

Wait 2-3 minutes before applying makeup to let sunscreen set.

Night Skincare Order

Your PM routine focuses on repair and treatment. Skin regenerates while you sleep, making nighttime ideal for active ingredients.

Step 1: Makeup Remover / Oil Cleanser

If you wear makeup or sunscreen, start with an oil-based cleanser or micellar water to break down products.

Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser

Follow with a gentle water-based cleanser to remove remaining residue. This double-cleanse method ensures truly clean skin.

Step 3: Exfoliant (2-3x per week)

Chemical exfoliants go on clean, dry skin:

• AHAs (glycolic, lactic acid) — Surface exfoliation, brightening
• BHAs (salicylic acid) — Pore-clearing, good for oily/acne-prone skin
• PHAs — Gentle option for sensitive skin

Don't use exfoliants every night. Start with 2-3 times per week.

Step 4: Toner

Hydrating toners prep skin for treatments. Avoid astringent toners at night—they can be too drying.

Step 5: Serum / Treatment

Nighttime is ideal for:

• Retinol/Retinoids — Anti-aging, cell turnover
• Peptides — Firming and repair
• Niacinamide — Barrier support

Important: Don't mix retinol with AHAs/BHAs in the same routine. Alternate nights.

Step 6: Eye Cream

Apply eye cream with your ring finger using gentle patting motions.

Step 7: Moisturizer / Night Cream

Seal everything with a nourishing moisturizer. Night creams can be richer than daytime formulas.

Step 8: Face Oil (Optional)

If you use face oil, it goes last. Oils are occlusive and should seal in all other products.

Step 9: Spot Treatment (Optional)

Acne spot treatments can go over moisturizer to prevent irritation, or under moisturizer for stronger effect.

Skincare Order Cheat Sheet

Common Skincare Order Mistakes

Mistake 1: Applying Sunscreen Before Moisturizer

Sunscreen should always be the last step before makeup. Applying it under moisturizer reduces its effectiveness.

Mistake 2: Using Oil-Based Products Before Water-Based

Oil creates a barrier that prevents water-based products from penetrating. Always apply water-based serums before oils.

Mistake 3: Layering Too Many Actives

Using vitamin C, retinol, and AHAs in the same routine can irritate skin. Separate strong actives between morning and night.

Mistake 4: Skipping Wait Times

Active ingredients need time to absorb. Wait 30-60 seconds between serums and treatments for best results.

Mistake 5: Applying Products to Wet Skin

Unless specified, apply products to damp (not wet) skin. Excess water dilutes product concentration.

How to Layer Active Ingredients

Some ingredients work well together, others don't. Here's a quick guide:

Good combinations:

• Vitamin C + Vitamin E + Ferulic Acid
• Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide
• Niacinamide + Retinol

Avoid combining:

• Retinol + AHAs/BHAs (same routine)
• Vitamin C + Benzoyl Peroxide
• Multiple exfoliating acids

Simplify Your Routine

You don't need 10 products to have great skin. A basic effective routine includes:

Morning: Cleanser → Moisturizer → Sunscreen Night: Cleanser → Treatment → Moisturizer

Add products gradually based on your skin's needs and tolerance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What order should I apply skincare products?

Apply products from thinnest to thickest consistency. The correct morning order is: cleanser → toner → serum → eye cream → moisturizer → sunscreen. The evening order is: oil cleanser → water cleanser → exfoliant (2-3x/week) → toner → treatment serum → eye cream → moisturizer → face oil.

Does sunscreen go before or after moisturizer?

Sunscreen goes after moisturizer as the final step of your morning skincare routine, before makeup. Applying sunscreen under moisturizer reduces its effectiveness because the moisturizer creates a barrier that dilutes the SPF protection.

Can I use vitamin C and retinol together?

It's best to use them at different times. Apply vitamin C in the morning for antioxidant protection and retinol at night for anti-aging benefits. Using them together can cause irritation for some people, though they're not chemically incompatible.

Should I apply skincare to wet or dry skin?

Apply products to damp (not wet) skin for better absorption. Excess water dilutes product concentration. The exception is some chemical exfoliants that work best on dry skin—always check product instructions.

How long should I wait between skincare steps?

Wait 30-60 seconds between serums and treatments to allow absorption. For sunscreen, wait 2-3 minutes before applying makeup. You don't need to wait between cleanser and toner or between moisturizer layers.

What is the 60-second rule for cleansing?

The 60-second rule means massaging your cleanser into your skin for a full 60 seconds before rinsing. This ensures thorough cleansing and allows active ingredients in your cleanser (like salicylic acid) time to work.

Never Forget a Step Again

Remembering the correct skincare order—especially when you're tired—can be challenging. That's where routine tracking helps.

Glimmer helps you:

• Set up your personalized routine order
• Get reminders for morning and night
• Track which products you've applied
• Log how your skin responds

Sources

1. Draelos, Z. D. (2018). "The science behind skin care: Cleansers." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 17(1), 8-14.
2. Rawlings, A. V., & Harding, C. R. (2004). "Moisturization and skin barrier function." Dermatologic Therapy, 17(s1), 43-48.
3. Ganceviciene, R., et al. (2012). "Skin anti-aging strategies." Dermato-Endocrinology, 4(3), 308-319.