What Order Should I Follow for My Skin Care Routine?

skincare routine order You have a cupboard full of potions, creams, and serums, but are you utilizing them correctly? Applying your skincare products in the right order is essential to maximizing their benefits, not simply a recommendation. If the order is incorrect, your pricey active ingredients may become ineffective or, worse, cause skin irritation.

This comprehensive guide will address all of your pressing concerns regarding the use of face masks, retinol, and other products, as well as the precise sequence of steps for both your AM and PM routines

Quick guide to skincare routine order

Applying products from the thinnest consistency to the thickest is the straightforward golden rule of skincare routine order. Oils precede creams, and water-based remedies come before oils. This guarantees that no thicker layer will obstruct any product’s ability to penetrate the skin.

What should I use in the morning? skincare routine order

The main objective of your morning skincare regimen is protection. Throughout the day, you’re protecting your skin from free radicals, pollution, and UV rays.


Basic morning routine

Cleanser, Vitamin C Serum, Moisturizer, and Sunscreen are the only three components of a quick, efficient morning regimen. Below is a thorough breakdown.

Step 2: Oil-based cleanser

Only required if you use thick sleep masks or night creams. If any nighttime residue remains, a quick brush with micellar water will do the trick.

Step 2: Water-based cleanser

Remove perspiration and pollutants from the night without depleting your skin’s natural oils by using a mild, water-based cleanser.

Step 3: Toner or astringent

Its goal is to balance the pH of your skin and prepare it for better absorption of the items that follow. Instead of using harsh, alcohol-based astringents, choose moisturizing toners.

Step 4: Antioxidant serum

The goal is to administer your vitamin C serum here. It is a potent antioxidant that brightens and protects skin from harm by combating free radicals brought on by pollutants and UV exposure.

Step 5: Spot treatment

: Use any acne-fighting products, such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, right away. Spots are most effective when treated on bare, clean skin.

Step 6: Eye cream

To treat issues like puffiness or dark circles, gently massage a special eye cream over the orbital bone.

Step 7: Lighter face oil

For an additional hydration boost, apply a little oil (such as squalane) before your moisturizer if you use face oils.

Step 8: Moisturizer

Provides hydration and a barrier of defense. Select a cream for dry skin or a gel for oily skin.

Step 9: Heavier face oil

: For extremely dry skin, you can “seal” your moisturizer in place by patting a heavier oil (like marula) on top of it.

Step 10: Sunscreen

: The most important step in your skincare regimen in the morning. As the very last stage in your skincare routine, apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ to protect everything underneath. Throughout the day, reapply.

Step 11: Foundation or other base makeup

After your skincare has completely absorbed, makeup is always applied last.

What should I use at night? skincare routine order

Repair and regeneration are the main goals of your evening skincare regimen. Using strong active ingredients like retinol and exfoliating acids is ideal during this time because your skin is working hardest to mend itself.

At what age should you start a skincare routine? skincare routine order

At any age, you can begin a basic skincare regimen that includes cleansing and sunscreen. In your teens and early twenties, concentrate on acne management and prevention (SPF). In your mid-to-late 20s, using targeted treatments like retinoids and antioxidants to fight aging frequently becomes increasingly important.

What is a basic skin care routine? skincare routine order

A simple skincare routine that is ideal for beginners is as follows:

AM: Sunscreen, moisturizer, and cleanser.

PM: Moisturizer and Cleaner.
As you discover what your skin requires, you can add a serum or treatment to build upon this basic foundation.