The order to apply skincare
Published
Skincare routines are usually described as a sequence. The sequence is not a rule anyone enforces — it is a convention that exists because of how the products are made, not because of what they do.
The usual order
The common convention is to work from the thinnest texture to the thickest.
- Cleanser — used with water and rinsed off.
- Toner or essence — watery, applied to skin that is still slightly damp.
- Serum — more concentrated and usually thicker than a toner.
- Moisturiser — a cream or gel, thicker again.
- Sunscreen — in the morning, applied last.
Why thin to thick
A thick product sits on the surface longer than a thin one. Applied first, it forms a layer that the next product has to get through. Applied last, it has nothing to get through. That is the whole of the reasoning.
You do not need every step
A routine with three steps is a routine. The sequence describes where a step goes if you use it, not how many steps you ought to have.
In the evening
The evening sequence is the same one without sunscreen. Some people cleanse twice in the evening when they have worn sunscreen or makeup during the day — an oil-based or balm cleanser first, then a water-based one.
This page is general information about how routines are described. It is not advice about your skin. If you have a skin condition or a known allergy, speak to a pharmacist or a dermatologist.
