The rule fits in one sentence: from thinnest to thickest. A light texture can’t get through a greasy layer that is already on; the reverse works without difficulty. (If your question is rather which products to keep, start with the minimalist 4-step routine.)
That said, order alone doesn’t sort everything out. Here is the sequence, then the three cases where it needs adjusting.
In short
Skincare products go on from thinnest to thickest. In the morning: cleanser, serum, moisturiser, then sun protection last; in the evening: make-up removal, cleanser, targeted active, then moisturiser. Avoid combining a retinoid and exfoliating acids on the same evening, and introduce only one new product at a time.
The morning order
- Cleanser, or simply water, if your skin doesn’t produce much sebum overnight.
- Serum: on still slightly damp skin, absorption is better.
- Moisturiser: a pea-sized amount, from the centre of the face outwards.
- Sun protection: always last, in sufficient quantity (about two fingers for the face and neck).
Make-up comes afterwards, once the SPF has settled: give it time to stop “sliding” under your fingers.
The evening order
- Make-up removal: oil or balm if you wear make-up or a water-resistant sunscreen (double cleansing, who it is for and when).
- Cleanser: to remove the oily residue from the previous step.
- Targeted product: this is the moment for actives that don’t like the sun.
- Cream or balm: richer than in the morning if your skin feels tight.
No sun protection in the evening, obviously. And no need to double up on moisturiser “to compensate”: beyond what the skin absorbs, the surplus ends up on the pillow.
Three layerings to watch
These are not absolute bans, but combinations where the risk of irritation rises noticeably if everything is applied on the same evening.
Retinoids and exfoliating acids. Both speed up the renewal of the skin’s surface. Together, the skin barrier copes badly: the American Academy of Dermatology points out that exfoliating when you already use retinol can worsen dryness. The usual practice is to alternate them every other evening rather than combine them. The dedicated guides to retinol and to choosing an exfoliant each detail their own pace.
Vitamin C and exfoliating acids. A combination badly tolerated by many skin types, especially with concentrated formulas. Vitamin C is better placed in the morning, exfoliants in the evening.
Two new things at once. It is not a chemical problem, it is a problem of method: if your skin reacts, you won’t know which of the two is responsible. One new product at a time, two weeks apart.
The waiting time between two products
You often read that you need to wait several minutes between each layer. In practice, it changes little for ordinary textures: the time it takes for the product to stop “sliding” under your fingers is enough.
Two real exceptions:
- after a retinoid, letting the skin dry completely before the cream reduces the tingling sensation;
- before make-up, letting the sunscreen set avoids pilling and streaks.
Introducing a new product without wrecking everything
The progression that works best is also the slowest:
- Week 1: two applications, spaced apart.
- Week 2: every other evening.
- Week 3: every evening, if your skin keeps up.
A slight tingle that fades within a few minutes is common in the first days. Redness that persists the next day, a burning sensation or flaking are not an “adjustment phase”: they are the sign to stop and space it out further.
If the reaction is strong or doesn’t go away, that is a reason to see someone, not an adjustment to your routine.
Frequently asked questions
Serum or cream first?
Serum first, cream after: you go from thinnest to thickest. A light texture can’t get through a greasy layer that is already on.
Where should sun protection go?
Always last in the morning, after the cream and before make-up. In the evening, no sun protection.
Do you need to wait between two products?
For ordinary textures, the time it takes for the product to stop “sliding” under your fingers is enough. Two exceptions: let a retinoid dry before the cream, and let the SPF set before make-up.
How do you introduce a new product?
One at a time, gradually. The American Academy of Dermatology advises stopping a product that stings, burns or tingles, and Dermato-info advises first testing your tolerance on a small, hidden area.