Last updated on September 24th, 2025 at 09:44 pm
What is The Correct Order To Apply Skincare?
This blog post explains how each skincare product works, how many you need daily and the correct order of skincare products.
At the end of the post, you will learn how to create a skincare routine.
This post is all about the correct order for skincare products.
Let’s get started!
What does each skincare product do?
Cleanser
Why cleanse your face?
You should cleanse your face for good hygiene and maintain your skin healthy.
What is the function of a cleanser?
Cleansers remove bacteria, dirt, oil, makeup, pollutants, and dead skin cells from your skin.
Cleansers help to unclog pores that could otherwise cause irritation and comedones (pimples and white/blackheads).
It also prevents skin conditions like acne.
With clean skin, it is easier to apply and absorb products like face moisturisers or serums.
Exfoliator
Why exfoliate your face?
Your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells every day.
But some remain on the skin surface, leaving a dull, dry and ashy appearance.
You should exfoliate regularly to maintain a healthy skin texture.
What is the function of an exfoliator?
An exfoliator improves the texture of your skin.
Because it unclogs pores, it helps to reduce acne breakouts and comedones, and it also brightens dull skin and overall skin tone.
Toner
Why tone your face?
Use a toner to improve your skin’s health and appearance.
Toners make a noticeable difference in tightening pores and smoothing skin.
They also generously hydrate the skin, which increases skin strength and elasticity.
Toners are optional in your skincare routine, but their use brings many benefits.
What is the function of a toner?
Your cleanser, many times, does not remove all impurities that sit on your skin.
The main function of a toner is to remove dead skin cells, makeup and dirt from the skin’s surface that remain after cleansing.
A toner can also treat skin concerns with its active ingredients and help other skincare products penetrate deeper into the skin.
Serum
What is a serum?
A serum is a liquid skincare treatment product that contains a high concentration of active ingredients and nutrients.
They are optional products in skincare but offer many benefits.
Why use a serum on your face?
Serums deliver powerful active ingredients into the skin to treat specific skin problems.
A serum is beneficial because its only function is to treat a very specific concern, improving your skin faster than other products with multiple roles.
Moisturizer
Why use a moisturizer on your face?
You should moisturize to maintain your skin health and your skin barrier intact.
What is the function of a moisturizer?
The main role of a moisturizer is to trap water and nutrients in the skin and prevent them from escaping.
Moisturizers work effectively to keep skin healthy, smooth, and comfortable and treat medical conditions when formulated with active ingredients.
Sunscreen
Why use sunscreen on your face?
UV radiation from the sun damages the skin and can lead to sunburns or worse, skin cancer.
Sunscreens block ultraviolet radiation and prevent many skin issues.
You should use sunscreen to keep your skin healthy.
What is the function of sunscreen?
The main role of sunscreen is to block the sun’s UV rays from entering the skin and causing damage.
By applying sunscreen, you can prevent the skin from damage such as sunburn and hyperpigmentation.
Essential Steps in a Skincare Routine – Daily Skin care Routine at Home
The order in which you apply your skincare products is important to guarantee your routine is effective and has the results you seek.
You can have a simple 3-step skincare routine or a more advanced skincare routine.
To create a skincare routine, you have to find your skin type and skin condition, and according to that evaluation, choose products accordingly.
For example, someone with wrinkles may need an anti-ageing product, but someone in their 20s does not.
Dry skin and oily skin also need different products.
You should add products based on your evaluation and skin needs.
Trial and error may apply until you find the products that work for you and your preferences.
Simple Skincare Routine – Right Order of Skincare Products
This simple skincare routine is the most recommended by dermatologists.
It has 3 steps: cleansing, moisturizing and protecting with sunscreen.
In that order.
All these products should be used regardless of your skin type and age.
The active ingredients, however, will differ depending on your skin type and condition.
Your skin type determines how often you will use an exfoliator (daily or weekly).
But it should always be used after cleansing.
People under 25 with young and normal skin rarely need more than the 3 products mentioned above.
Even with all the marketing behind skincare, evaluate clearly before adding products to your routine.
Skin care routine order morning and night:
- Morning: your skincare should focus on protection for the day.
You should cleanse, then moisturize, and also apply sunscreen every morning.
Alternatively, you can combine two steps into one by using a moisturizer that has at least 30 SPF and broad-spectrum protection.
- Throughout the day: You should always wash your face after sweating.
Because sweat can clog pores and make acne worse.
Apply moisturizer as needed to your face and lip balm/vaseline on your lips.
Reapply sunscreen if you plan to spend time outside.
- Nighttime: Your skin has been exposed to a full day of damage, so you should focus on cleansing and repair.
Before bed, remove your makeup and wash your face with a cleanser to remove dirt and oil.
End with moisturizing.
If you choose, you can wear a night cream instead of your regular moisturizer.
Advanced Skincare Routine – Right Order of Skincare Products
This advanced skincare routine has 4 to 6 steps.
It is directed at anyone who has skin conditions and wishes to improve their skin health and appearance.
In case of doubt and if you can’t identify your skin conditions by yourself, consult a board-certified dermatologist.
Below is the main difference between skin type and skin condition to help you.
We go deeper on this topic here.
This routine can use the following products: cleanser, toner (optional), exfoliator, serum (optional), eye cream (optional), moisturizer/night cream, face oil (optional) and sunscreen. In this order.
You don’t need to use all these products in your routine.
Choose the number of products according to your skin conditions and personal preferences.
Note that only one of your products should be an exfoliant.
Skin care routine order morning and night:
- Morning: your skincare should focus on protection for the day.
You should cleanse and then apply a toner to damp skin.
After the toner, you should apply any treatment products you have, like serums and then moisturize.
Sunscreen is the last step of your routine every morning.
Alternatively, you can combine two steps into one by using a moisturizer that has at least 30 SPF and broad-spectrum protection.
- Throughout the day: You should always wash your face after sweating.
Because sweat can clog pores and make acne worse.
Apply moisturizer as needed to your face and lip balm/vaseline on your lips.
Reapply sunscreen if you plan to spend time outside.
- Nighttime: Your skin has been exposed to a full day of damage, so you should focus on cleansing and repair.
Before bed, remove your makeup and wash your face with a cleanser to remove dirt and oil.
You can use a toner to help close pores and tighten cell gaps after cleansing.
End with an eye cream and moisturizer without sunscreen.
Note: Chemical exfoliators are applied after the toner and before any treatment products like serums. If you use a manual exfoliator you should use it after cleansing and before a toner.
Face oil is applied after the moisturizer, and before sunscreen, usually for oily skin types or very dry skin. Evaluate if you need one.
An eye cream is not mandatory as you can use your regular moisturizer around your eyes. But it is usually targeted at those with wrinkles or dry skin in that area.
Expectations Management
Please note that results are not immediate when applying a new skincare routine.
You should see changes from 1 to 3 months of consistent application of products.
Being consistent means that even if you forget to do your skincare routine one day, you will do it the next day as soon as possible.
Discipline is a big factor, as you need to give skincare products time to take effect and improve your skin’s appearance and health instead of moving to new products immediately.
If a product is not working after six months, ask your doctor or esthetician to recommend a new one.
It can be hard to add new products to your daily routine, so find below three useful tips that have helped me in the past:
– Leave the products in a visible place instead of a locked cabinet.
The “out of sight, out of mind” applies here.
– The location where you keep your skincare products should be easy to reach, and close to other things you use daily, like your toothbrush or bath towel.
This works as a kind of reminder to do your skincare routine every time you shower or brush your teeth.
– Setting an alarm works if you are the type of person who does not hit the snooze button.
If you turn off your alarms, it is easier to create morning and bedtime rituals.
How?
Always do your skincare routine after the same activity.
For example, after putting on your pyjamas, or as soon as you get home.
This way, you’ll know that after doing A, you always have to do B.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what to consider to create a skincare routine and the right order of skincare products, it’s time to find your skin type and create a personalised routine just for you.
It can be hard to get started on your own, so I leave a suggestion of a skincare routine for each skin type you can try and modify according to your needs.
Read below.
Guide To the best recommendations in creating a skincare routine for your skin type – oily, dry, normal and combination skin types.
Coming Soon →
Disclaimer: This article is informational only. This article does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. If you have questions or concerns about caring for your skin, you should make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist.