In What Order Should You Apply Your Skincare? An Evidence-Based Guide
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If you have ever wondered whether serum goes before or after moisturiser, you are not alone. The order of your routine is mostly about texture and a few practical principles. Here is a simple framework.
The general rule: thinnest to thickest
As a starting point, apply products from the lightest, most fluid textures to the richest. Water-based serums go on before creams and oils, so each layer can settle before the next. This keeps a heavier moisturiser from sitting on top of and blocking a thin treatment.
A simple morning routine
- Cleanse
- Antioxidant serum, such as vitamin C
- Moisturiser
- Sunscreen, applied last
Sunscreen goes on as the final step in the morning. Daily sunscreen use is one of the best-supported habits in skincare. A randomised trial published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that regular sunscreen use slowed visible skin ageing compared with occasional use (Hughes et al., 2013, PMID 23732711).
A simple evening routine
- Cleanse
- Treatment, such as a retinoid or an exfoliating acid
- Moisturiser
Retinoids are usually kept for the evening. Gentler forms such as retinaldehyde and retinol are less irritating than prescription options, which makes them easier to fit into a nightly routine (Mukherjee et al., 2006, PMID 18046911).
Where the popular actives fit
- Vitamin C: usually morning, for antioxidant support under sunscreen (Pullar et al., 2017, PMID 28805671).
- Retinol or retinal: evening, built up slowly.
- Niacinamide: flexible, morning or evening, and it pairs comfortably with most other ingredients (Wohlrab & Kreft, 2014, PMID 24993939).
You do not need a twelve-step routine. A considered handful of steps, used consistently, is what tends to help. If you would like a routine mapped to your skin, our team in Parnell stocks Medik8 and other skincare and can talk you through it.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. The studies cited are from peer-reviewed journals and are provided for educational context. Individual results vary. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist before changing your skincare routine. Verdo Cosmetics makes no therapeutic claims about the products or services mentioned.
