The Right Order for Layering Skincare Products

Apply products from thinnest to thickest consistency, starting with water-based formulas and ending with oils or heavy creams.

1. Start with cleansing. Use a gentle cleanser appropriate for your skin type. This creates a clean base for everything else to absorb properly.
2. Apply toner or essence first. These water-based products have the thinnest consistency. Pat them in with your hands rather than using cotton pads to avoid waste.
3. Add serums by molecular weight. Apply lightweight, water-based serums before thicker ones. Vitamin C goes on clean skin in the morning, retinol at night after cleansing.
4. Follow with moisturizer. Choose your formula based on skin type and time of day. Light lotions for oily skin, richer creams for dry skin or nighttime use.
5. Finish with SPF in the morning. Sunscreen always goes last in your morning routine. Give your moisturizer a minute to absorb before applying SPF.
6. Use face oils strategically. In the morning, oils go under SPF but over moisturizer. At night, they can go last to seal everything in.