What Order Should I Follow for My Skin Care Routine?
What Order Should I Follow for My Skin Care Routine?
Whether you want a simple 3-step routine for the morning or have time for a full 10-step regimen at night, the order in which you apply your products matters.
Why? There isn’t much point in having a skin care routine if your products don’t get a chance to penetrate your skin.
Read on to learn more about how to layer for maximum impact, which steps you can skip, what products to try, and more.
Whether it’s a tried-and-true skin care regimen, how often you wash your hair, or the cosmetics you’re curious about, beauty is personal.
That’s why we rely on a diverse group of writers, educators, and other experts to share their tips on everything from the way product application varies to the best sheet mask for your individual needs.
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Quick guide
What should I use in the morning?Morning skin care routines are all about prevention and protection. Your face is going to be exposed to the outside environment, so necessary steps include moisturizer and sunscreen.
Morning skin care routines are all about prevention and protection. Your face is going to be exposed to the outside environment, so necessary steps include moisturizer and sunscreen.
Basic morning routine
- Cleanser. Use it to remove grime and residue that’s built up overnight.
- Moisturizer. This hydrates the skin and can come in the form of creams, gels, or balms.
- Sunscreen. It’s essential for protecting the skin against the damaging effects of the sun.
- Cleanser. Use it to remove grime and residue that’s built up overnight.
- Moisturizer. This hydrates the skin and can come in the form of creams, gels, or balms.
- Sunscreen. It’s essential for protecting the skin against the damaging effects of the sun.
Step 1: Oil-based cleanser
- What is it? Cleansers come in two forms: water-based and oil-based. The latter is intended to dissolve oils produced by your skin.
- How to use it: Some oil-based cleansers are designed to work their magic on wet skin. Others are best on dry skin. Read the instructions before applying a small amount to your skin. Massage in and rinse thoroughly with water before drying with a clean towel.
- Skip this step if: Your cleanser only contains oil — instead of a blend of oil and surfactants and emulsifiers — and you have combination or oily skin. Cleansing oils may cause an increase in oiliness.
- Toxin free, natural, age-defying dream cream removes makeup and impurities but is gentle on skin.
- Be sure to: Do a patch test in a small area on your skin for a few days and monitor how your skin reacts. If you experience cystic acne, talk with your dermatologist before switching to an oil-based cleanser.
- Pros: Oil cleansers can have a
higher cleansing ability . They can unclog pores and remove even waterproof makeup. A small 2019 study suggests that oil cleansers may do a better job at removing waterproof sunblock compared to other methods. - Cons: Anecdotal evidence suggests that there may be an initial 1- to 2-week “purging” period where you may experience breakouts as old oil on your skin is cleansed.
- What is it? Cleansers come in two forms: water-based and oil-based. The latter is intended to dissolve oils produced by your skin.
- How to use it: Some oil-based cleansers are designed to work their magic on wet skin. Others are best on dry skin. Read the instructions before applying a small amount to your skin. Massage in and rinse thoroughly with water before drying with a clean towel.
- Skip this step if: Your cleanser only contains oil — instead of a blend of oil and surfactants and emulsifiers — and you have combination or oily skin. Cleansing oils may cause an increase in oiliness.
- Toxin free, natural, age-defying dream cream removes makeup and impurities but is gentle on skin.
- Be sure to: Do a patch test in a small area on your skin for a few days and monitor how your skin reacts. If you experience cystic acne, talk with your dermatologist before switching to an oil-based cleanser.
- Pros: Oil cleansers can have a
higher cleansing ability . They can unclog pores and remove even waterproof makeup. Asmall 2019 study suggests that oil cleansers may do a better job at removing waterproof sunblock compared to other methods. - Cons: Anecdotal evidence suggests that there may be an initial 1- to 2-week “purging” period where you may experience breakouts as old oil on your skin is cleansed.
Step 2: Water-based cleanser
- What is it? These cleansers primarily contain surfactants, which are ingredients that allow water to rinse away dirt and sweat. They can also remove the oils collected by an oil-based cleanser.
- How to use it: Massage into wet skin and rinse with water before drying.
- Skip this step if: You don’t want to double cleanse or if your oil-based cleanser contains surfactants that sufficiently remove dirt and debris.
- Be sure to: Look for a cleanser with a neutral or low pH, as a 2017 study suggests they may be less irritating to your skin.
- Pros: Mild water-based cleansers may help prevent breakouts in those with acne-prone or oily skin.
- Cons: Harsher surfactants can dry out your skin and may damage your skin’s natural barrier.
- What is it? These cleansers primarily contain surfactants, which are ingredients that allow water to rinse away dirt and sweat. They can also remove the oils collected by an oil-based cleanser.
- How to use it: Massage into wet skin and rinse with water before drying.
- Skip this step if: You don’t want to double cleanse or if your oil-based cleanser contains surfactants that sufficiently remove dirt and debris.
- Be sure to: Look for a cleanser with a neutral or low pH, as a 2017 study suggests they may be less irritating to your skin.
- Pros: Mild water-based cleansers may help prevent breakouts in those with acne-prone or oily skin.
- Cons: Harsher surfactants can dry out your skin and may damage your skin’s natural barrier.
Step 3: Toner or astringent
- What is it? Toners are designed to replenish skin through hydration and remove dead cells and dirt left behind after cleansing. An astringent is an alcohol-based product used to remove excess oil.
- How to use it: Straight after cleansing, either tap directly onto the skin or onto a cotton pad and swipe over the face in an outward motion.
- Skip the astringent if: You have dry skin.
- Be sure to: Avoid toners high in alcohol as they can irritate your skin.
- Pros: Toners and astringents can help reduce the appearance of pores and remove impurities left behind after cleansing.
- Cons: Overuse of alcohol-based toners can cause irritation.
- What is it? Toners are designed to replenish skin through hydration and remove dead cells and dirt left behind after cleansing. An astringent is an alcohol-based product used to remove excess oil.
- How to use it: Straight after cleansing, either tap directly onto the skin or onto a cotton pad and swipe over the face in an outward motion.
- Skip the astringent if: You have dry skin.
- Be sure to: Avoid toners high in alcohol as they can irritate your skin.
- Pros: Toners and astringents can help reduce the appearance of pores and remove impurities left behind after cleansing.
- Cons: Overuse of alcohol-based toners can cause irritation.
Step 4: Antioxidant serum
- What is it? Serums contain a high concentration of certain ingredients. An antioxidant-based serum will protect skin against damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Vitamins C and E are common antioxidants used to improve texture and firmness. Others to look out for include green tea, resveratrol, and caffeine.
- How to use it: Pat a few drops onto your face and neck.
- Be sure to: Test a new product in a small area to see how it works on your skin and with the other products in your routine.
- Pros: Antioxidant serums can help reduce redness, wrinkles, and damage to your skin.
- Cons: Some serums, such as those that contain acids, may cause irritation when combined with other acid-containing skin care products.
- What is it? Serums contain a high concentration of certain ingredients. An antioxidant-based serum will protect skin against damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Vitamins C and E are common antioxidants used to improve texture and firmness. Others to look out for include green tea, resveratrol, and caffeine.
- How to use it: Pat a few drops onto your face and neck.
- Be sure to: Test a new product in a small area to see how it works on your skin and with the other products in your routine.
- Pros: Antioxidant serums can help reduce redness, wrinkles, and damage to your skin.
- Cons: Some serums, such as those that contain acids, may cause irritation when combined with other acid-containing skin care products.
Step 5: Spot treatment
- What is it? If you have a blemish with a head, first look for an anti-inflammatory product to remove it, then turn to a spot-drying treatment to clear up the rest. Anything under the skin is classified as a cyst and will require a product that targets the infection on the inside.
- How to use it: Use a damp cotton swab to remove any skin care products from the spot. Apply a small amount of the treatment and leave to dry.
- Skip this step if: You have no spots or want to let nature take its course.
- Be sure to: Avoid using spot treatment on open blemishes.
- Pros: Acne treatments can reduce inflammation, redness, and pain.
- Cons: Skin reactions may occur, especially with products with stronger ingredients. Always introduce a new product slowly and monitor your skin.
- What is it? If you have a blemish with a head, first look for an anti-inflammatory product to remove it, then turn to a spot-drying treatment to clear up the rest. Anything under the skin is classified as a cyst and will require a product that targets the infection on the inside.
- How to use it: Use a damp cotton swab to remove any skin care products from the spot. Apply a small amount of the treatment and leave to dry.
- Skip this step if: You have no spots or want to let nature take its course.
- Be sure to: Avoid using spot treatment on open blemishes.
- Pros: Acne treatments can reduce inflammation, redness, and pain.
- Cons: Skin reactions may occur, especially with products with stronger ingredients. Always introduce a new product slowly and monitor your skin.
Step 6: Eye cream
- What is it? The skin around your eyes tends to be thinner and more sensitive. It’s also prone to signs of aging, including fine lines, puffiness, and darkness. A good eye cream can brighten, smooth, and firm up the area, but it won’t completely eliminate issues.
- How to use it: Dab a small amount onto the eye area using your ring finger.
- Skip this step if: Your moisturizer and serum are suitable for the eye area, contain an effective formula, and are fragrance-free.
- Be sure to: Use only a small amount and cleanse properly. Not removing product buildup from this gentle area may clog pores.
- Pros: Eye creams are designed for the sensitive skin around your eyes and can help reduce signs of aging, such as wrinkles and discoloration.
- Cons: If your eye cream gets into your eye, it may cause irritation.
- What is it? The skin around your eyes tends to be thinner and more sensitive. It’s also prone to signs of aging, including fine lines, puffiness, and darkness. A good eye cream can brighten, smooth, and firm up the area, but it won’t completely eliminate issues.
- How to use it: Dab a small amount onto the eye area using your ring finger.
- Skip this step if: Your moisturizer and serum are suitable for the eye area, contain an effective formula, and are fragrance-free.
- Be sure to: Use only a small amount and cleanse properly. Not removing product buildup from this gentle area may clog pores.
- Pros: Eye creams are designed for the sensitive skin around your eyes and can help reduce signs of aging, such as wrinkles and discoloration.
- Cons: If your eye cream gets into your eye, it may cause irritation.
Step 7: Lighter face oil
- What is it? The lighter the product, the earlier you should apply it. Easily absorbable oils are lightweight and should therefore come before moisturizer. They’re especially useful if your skin’s showing signs of dryness, flakiness, or dehydration.
- How to use it: Squeeze a few drops onto your fingertips. Rub them together gently to warm the oil before lightly dabbing onto your face.
- Skip this step if: You prefer a maintenance routine. More often than not, you’ll have to try different oils to see which works best for your skin.
- Be sure to: Let your oil sink in fully before applying sunscreen. Some face oils may dissolve your sunscreen.
- Pros: Face oils help lock in hydration, keeping your skin moisturized.
- Cons: Oils may cause breakouts in people with oily skin.
- What is it? The lighter the product, the earlier you should apply it. Easily absorbable oils are lightweight and should therefore come before moisturizer. They’re especially useful if your skin’s showing signs of dryness, flakiness, or dehydration.
- How to use it: Squeeze a few drops onto your fingertips. Rub them together gently to warm the oil before lightly dabbing onto your face.
- Skip this step if: You prefer a maintenance routine. More often than not, you’ll have to try different oils to see which works best for your skin.
- Be sure to: Let your oil sink in fully before applying sunscreen. Some face oils may dissolve your sunscreen.
- Pros: Face oils help lock in hydration, keeping your skin moisturized.
- Cons: Oils may cause breakouts in people with oily skin.
Step 8: Moisturizer
- What is it? A moisturizer will soothe and soften skin. If you have a dry skin type, opt for a cream or balm. Thicker creams work best on normal or combination skin, and fluids and gels are recommended for oilier types. Effective ingredients include glycerine, ceramides, antioxidants, and peptides.
- How to use it: Take a slightly bigger than pea-size amount and warm it in your hands. Apply to cheeks first, then to the rest of the face using upward strokes.
- Skip this step if: Your toner or serum gives you enough moisture. This is especially true for those with oily skin.
- Be sure to: Apply moisturizer with clean hands — especially if you’re using it from a jar that you dip your fingers into. If you use dirty hands, you may be adding dirt and even bacteria into your moisturizer.
- Pros: Regular moisturizing can help prevent blemishes and other skin issues by protecting your skin’s barrier.
- Cons: Using a moisturizer that’s too heavy without proper cleansing may result in developing milia — small white bumps — on your skin.
- What is it? A moisturizer will soothe and soften skin. If you have a dry skin type, opt for a cream or balm. Thicker creams work best on normal or combination skin, and fluids and gels are recommended for oilier types. Effective ingredients include glycerine, ceramides, antioxidants, and peptides.
- How to use it: Take a slightly bigger than pea-size amount and warm it in your hands. Apply to cheeks first, then to the rest of the face using upward strokes.
- Skip this step if: Your toner or serum gives you enough moisture. This is especially true for those with oily skin.
- Be sure to: Apply moisturizer with clean hands — especially if you’re using it from a jar that you dip your fingers into. If you use dirty hands, you may be adding dirt and even bacteria into your moisturizer.
- Pros: Regular moisturizing can help prevent blemishes and other skin issues by protecting your skin’s barrier.
- Cons: Using a moisturizer that’s too heavy without proper cleansing may result in developing milia — small white bumps — on your skin.
Step 9: Heavier face oil
- What is it? Oils that take some time to absorb or simply feel thick fall into the heavy category. Best suited for dry skin types, these should be applied after moisturizer to seal in all the goodness.
- How to use it: Follow the same process as the lighter oil.
- Skip this step if: You don’t want to run the risk of clogging your pores. Again, trial and error is key here.
- Supergoop! Glow Oil SPF 50 is a fragrance-free face oil that also contains SPF.
- Be sure to: Fully cleanse your face at the end of the day, as heavier face oils can contribute to clogging pores.
- Pros: These oils moisturize your skin and seal in hydration from other steps in your skin care routine.
- Cons: Heavier oils may contribute to breakouts in people with acne-prone skin.
- What is it? Oils that take some time to absorb or simply feel thick fall into the heavy category. Best suited for dry skin types, these should be applied after moisturizer to seal in all the goodness.
- How to use it: Follow the same process as the lighter oil.
- Skip this step if: You don’t want to run the risk of clogging your pores. Again, trial and error is key here.
- Supergoop! Glow Oil SPF 50 is a fragrance-free face oil that also contains SPF.
- Be sure to: Fully cleanse your face at the end of the day, as heavier face oils can contribute to clogging pores.
- Pros: These oils moisturize your skin and seal in hydration from other steps in your skin care routine.
- Cons: Heavier oils may contribute to breakouts in people with acne-prone skin.
Step 10: Sunscreen
- What is it? Sunscreen is a critical final step in your morning skin care routine. Not only can it lower your risk of skin cancer, but it can also reduce signs of aging by blocking damaging UV light. The
American Cancer Society recommends choosing a broad spectrum sunblock rated SPF 30 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB light. - How to use it: Spread liberally over your face and massage in. Make sure to apply it 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside. Never apply skin care products on top, as this can dilute the sunscreen.
- Be sure to: Reapply sunblock to your face and body every 2 hours while spending time in the sun.
- Pros: Using sunblock along with taking other precautions like wearing a hat and being in the shade can help lower your risk for skin cancer.
- Cons: Some sunscreens may cause skin reactions, so it is important to test in a small area prior to applying over the body. Other formulas may not be safe for marine life, such as the coral reef, if you will be swimming in ocean water. Be sure to read the label to determine the best product for your needs.
- What is it? Sunscreen is a critical final step in your morning skin care routine. Not only can it lower your risk of skin cancer, but it can also reduce signs of aging by blocking damaging UV light. The
American Cancer Society recommends choosing a broad spectrum sunblock rated SPF 30 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB light. - How to use it: Spread liberally over your face and massage in. Make sure to apply it 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside. Never apply skin care products on top, as this can dilute the sunscreen.
- Be sure to: Reapply sunblock to your face and body every 2 hours while spending time in the sun.
- Pros: Using sunblock along with taking other precautions like wearing a hat and being in the shade can help lower your risk for skin cancer.
- Cons: Some sunscreens may cause skin reactions, so it is important to test in a small area prior to applying over the body. Other formulas may not be safe for marine life, such as the coral reef, if you will be swimming in ocean water. Be sure to read the label to determine the best product for your needs.
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