Skincare routine order: what goes first, morning and night

What is the right order for a skincare routine?

Cleanse first, then apply treatments, then moisturiser, and in the morning finish with sunscreen. As a working rule, watery products go on before thicker creams. Two points are fixed by dermatologists’ advice: sunscreen goes on after other skincare and beneath make-up, and retinoids are for night-time use.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) puts it plainly: always put sunscreen on after other skincare products, and beneath your make-up. It also advises using retinoids only at night, because they can make skin more sensitive to the sun.

Between those fixed points, the order follows texture and the products’ own directions. COSRX, for example, directs its snail essence after cleansing and toning, followed by moisturiser; The Ordinary directs its retinal emulsion onto clean, dry skin with a moisturiser afterwards. Thinner layers first, heavier creams later, is the pattern most directions follow.

More steps are not better. Every product you add is another chance of irritation, so start simple and add one active at a time.

What is the correct morning skincare routine order?

Cleanse, then (optionally) a toner or essence, then a vitamin C or other water-based serum, then moisturiser, then sunscreen, then make-up. Sunscreen should be SPF 30 or above with four- or five-star UVA protection, applied 15 to 30 minutes before you go out, according to the British Association of Dermatologists.

The morning routine is about protection. The AAD suggests applying vitamin C after washing your face in the morning, before sunscreen. SkinCeuticals’ directions for C E Ferulic say the same: drops on dry skin after cleansing, then moisturiser and broad-spectrum sunscreen.

For the face, the AAD suggests at least a teaspoon of sunscreen. Let it settle before make-up, and reapply every two hours outdoors, or after swimming, sweating or towelling.

What is the correct night skincare routine order?

Remove make-up and sunscreen and cleanse, then apply your treatment — a retinoid or an exfoliating acid — and finish with moisturiser. Keep the retinoid and the acid on separate nights while you start: The Ordinary, for example, advises against using its glycolic acid toner and strong retinoids in the same routine.

The AAD suggests applying a retinoid before bed, waiting 20 to 30 minutes after washing your face. If it feels too drying, it suggests moisturising straight after washing and applying the retinoid 20 to 30 minutes later.

Exfoliating acids are also usually evening products: The Ordinary directs its 7% glycolic acid toner once a day, ideally in the evening, with sunscreen the next morning.

Where does retinol go in a skincare routine?

At night, after cleansing and before moisturiser, on dry skin. Start with the lowest strength every other night or less, then build up. Use sunscreen every morning and keep exfoliating acids for other nights at first. If you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding, ask a doctor or pharmacist first: brands such as Medik8 advise avoiding vitamin A then.

The AAD recommends the least intense formula to start and every-other-night use, building to nightly if you have no burning, peeling or redness. Brand directions are often slower still: The Ordinary starts its 0.2% retinal once a week, and Medik8 builds up gradually through six Crystal Retinal strengths.

Use one retinoid at a time — The Ordinary says not to combine its retinal with other retinoid products. Retinol and retinal (retinaldehyde) are both vitamin A derivatives; our ingredient guide explains the difference.

Where do vitamin C, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid go?

All three are serum steps: after cleansing and any toner, before moisturiser. Vitamin C usually goes in the morning, under sunscreen. Niacinamide can be used morning, evening or both. Hyaluronic acid works best on slightly damp skin with moisturiser on top. If a product’s directions say otherwise, follow them.

Directions vary by formula. The Ordinary’s 23% vitamin C suspension, for instance, is directed once a day, ideally in the evening — an exception to the morning rule that shows why the pack matters more than a general chart.

The Ordinary directs its niacinamide serum morning and evening, and advises keeping it in a separate routine from vitamin C. Other brands combine the two in one formula; if in doubt, split them between morning and night.

Which skincare ingredients can you use together?

Most hydrators — hyaluronic acid, ceramides, snail mucin — pair with anything. The combinations to manage are actives that can irritate together: retinoids with exfoliating acids, two retinoids, or two separate acids. Vitamin C and retinoids are usually split between morning and night. Niacinamide pairs with retinol; with vitamin C, brands disagree.

The table summarises what dermatology bodies and the products’ own directions say. It describes separate products layered together; a single product formulated with several actives has already been designed as a combination, so follow its directions.

Does sunscreen go before or after moisturiser and make-up?

After moisturiser and before make-up: sunscreen is the last step of the morning skincare routine. Let it settle before foundation. SPF in moisturiser or foundation is no substitute, because, as the British Association of Dermatologists notes, those products are applied far more thinly than sunscreen and may lack UVA protection.

The British Association of Dermatologists recommends SPF 30 or above with four- or five-star UVA protection, applied 15 to 30 minutes before going out and reapplied every two hours, or after swimming, towel-drying or sport. The NHS gives the same SPF 30 and four-star advice.

Texture matters when make-up goes on top. Our Korean sunscreen guide compares fluid, serum and cream sunscreens by UV filters, finish and fragrance.

What is a simple skincare routine for beginners?

Three steps: a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser and, in the morning, a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Add one active at a time — a vitamin C serum in the morning or a low-strength retinoid at night — a week or two apart, so you can tell what suits your skin. Patch test new products first.

Brands such as The Ordinary advise patch testing before first use: apply a small amount to the upper forearm and watch for redness, burning or itching over 24 hours.

If you have acne that is not improving, the NHS advises speaking to a pharmacist or GP; cosmetic skincare is not a treatment for a skin condition.