Gluvy
The right skincare routine order is simple: cleanse, treat, moisturise, then protect. In the morning that means cleanser, any serum or treatment, moisturiser and sunscreen last. At night it’s cleanser, your treatment (such as a retinoid), then moisturiser or oil. In between, a rule of thumb helps: apply the thinnest, most watery products first and the thickest last. Below are both routines step by step, the exceptions that trip people up, and where face yoga and gua sha fit in.
The short answer: AM and PM order
Your skincare routine order follows one logic: what needs to reach the skin goes on first, and what protects or seals goes on last. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) puts it in four steps: wash with a gentle cleanser, apply any medication or treatment right after cleansing, then moisturiser and/or sunscreen, and makeup last if you wear it (AAD).
Here is that order with the optional extras slotted in:
Morning
- Cleanser
- Toner (optional)
- Serum or treatment
- Eye cream (optional)
- Moisturiser
- Sunscreen
- Makeup (optional)
Night
- Cleanser (twice, if you like, when you’ve worn sunscreen or makeup)
- Toner (optional)
- Treatment, such as a retinoid or an exfoliating product
- Serum
- Eye cream (optional)
- Moisturiser
- Facial oil (optional)
You don’t need every step. A basic skincare routine of three products, a cleanser, a moisturiser and a sunscreen, covers the essentials. Everything else is optional.
The thin-to-thick rule and its exceptions
When you’re not sure where a product goes, put the thinnest first and the thickest last. Watery toners and essences go before serums, serums before lotions, lotions before creams, and oils near the end. Thick creams and oils form a layer on top of the skin, so anything you apply after them has a harder time reaching it.
The rule of thumb has three exceptions worth knowing:
- Prescription treatments go where your doctor says. The AAD advises applying medication or treatment products right after cleansing (AAD). If your dermatologist or the label gives you a different order, follow that instead.
- Sunscreen is always last in the morning. Even if your sunscreen is thinner than your moisturiser, it goes on after your other skincare and underneath makeup (AAD).
- “Follow your product’s directions” beats any chart. Some products are designed to be used in a specific way, such as rinsed off after a few minutes or applied to dry skin only. The label wins.
Morning routine order, step by step
The morning routine is about starting fresh and protecting your skin for the day. It can take as little as two or three minutes. For bigger-picture habits beyond products, see our glow up tips. For a full morning plan with a checklist, see our morning skincare routine.
1. Cleanse
Wash with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser, then pat your skin dry rather than rubbing. Mayo Clinic suggests mild cleansers over strong soaps and patting the skin dry so some moisture stays in it (Mayo Clinic). If your skin is dry or sensitive, a splash of water in the morning may be all you need.
2. Toner (optional)
If you like a toner, use it now, on clean skin. Press a few drops in with your hands or sweep it on with a cotton pad. Skip any toner that stings.
3. Serum or treatment
This is where targeted products go: a hydrating serum, a vitamin C serum, or any morning treatment your dermatologist has prescribed. A few drops are usually enough for the whole face. Use one serum at a time while you’re learning how your skin responds.
4. Eye cream (optional)
Eye cream is a thicker product, so it goes after serum. The AAD suggests using your ring finger around the eyes, because it’s the gentlest (AAD). Tap, don’t rub.
5. Moisturise
Smooth a moisturiser over your face and neck. It keeps your skin comfortable and gives your sunscreen a smooth base. If your moisturiser contains broad-spectrum SPF, it can double as your sunscreen, as long as you use enough of it.
6. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the last skincare step of the morning. The AAD recommends a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on all skin not covered by clothing, and says to use at least a teaspoon for the face (AAD). Put it on about 15 minutes before you go outside, and when you’re outdoors, reapply roughly every two hours, or after swimming or sweating (AAD Sunscreen FAQs). For more on shade and clothing, see the AAD’s practise safe sun guidance.
7. Makeup (optional)
Makeup goes on top of sunscreen, never underneath it.
Do you need to wait between steps?
There is no universal waiting time. A practical approach: let each layer sink in until it no longer feels wet before adding the next, and follow any waiting time on a product’s label. The one timing that’s well established is sunscreen’s 15 minutes before going outdoors.
Night routine order, step by step
The night routine is where most treatments live. It’s also where people tend to overdo it, so keep it simple.
1. Cleanse (once or twice)
Evening cleansing removes the day’s sunscreen, makeup, sweat and grime. If you wore a lot of makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, some people like to cleanse twice: first with an oil or balm cleanser, then with their regular one. If one gentle cleanse leaves your skin clean, that’s enough.
2. Toner (optional)
Same as the morning: thin and watery, so it comes right after cleansing.
3. Treatment: retinoid or exfoliant
Night is the usual time for retinoids. Dermatologists often recommend applying topical retinoids in the evening, starting with a gentle formula every other night and building up slowly (AAD). If your skin gets dry or irritated, the AAD suggests using less, using it less often, or applying moisturiser first. Retinoids can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which is one more reason the morning sunscreen step matters. For background on how retinoids work, see this review in Clinical Interventions in Aging (Mukherjee et al., 2006).
Be careful about stacking a retinoid with exfoliating products. The AAD notes that retinoids and retinol can make the skin more sensitive or cause peeling, and that exfoliating while using them may worsen dryness or even trigger breakouts (AAD). Many people keep exfoliating and retinoid nights separate, or skip exfoliating altogether while their skin gets used to a retinoid.
4. Serum
A hydrating or soothing serum fits here. If you’re already using a strong treatment, you don’t need another active serum on the same night.
5. Eye cream (optional)
Ring finger, light taps, keep it away from the lash line.
6. Moisturiser
At night you can use a richer cream than in the morning, since there’s no sunscreen or makeup going on top.
7. Facial oil (optional)
Oils are the thickest, so they go last. Pressing a few drops over your moisturiser is enough. If you’re doing gua sha or a facial massage tonight, this is your slip layer (more on that below).
Where face yoga, massage and gua sha fit
Face yoga, facial massage and gua sha all fit into your routine after cleansing, and most of them work best once you have something on the skin to let your fingers or stone glide. Here’s how to place each one.
Face yoga
Do face yoga on clean skin. Moves that are pure muscle work, like an O-shape or a wide smile, don’t need any product. For moves that glide over the skin, apply a little facial oil or moisturiser first so you don’t tug. In the morning, do your face yoga before sunscreen, so you aren’t rubbing sunscreen around after applying it. If you’re new to it, our 5-minute face yoga routine for beginners slots in neatly between moisturiser and sunscreen.
Gua sha: before or after moisturiser?
After. Gua sha needs slip, so do it once your serum is on and you’ve applied a facial oil or a rich moisturiser. A dry stone drags the skin. In the morning, finish with sunscreen afterwards; in the evening, gua sha can be the last step before bed. Our gua sha routine covers the angle, pressure and stroke direction for each area.
Facial massage
Hands-only massage follows the same logic as gua sha: after serum, with oil or moisturiser for glide. Our guide to facial massage techniques walks through simple strokes you can do without any tools.
Morning depuff vs night relax
- Morning: a quick, light massage or a cool gua sha stone can make your face feel fresher. If you often wake up puffy, our guide on why your face looks puffy in the morning explains the common reasons.
- Night: slower strokes, a richer oil and calm breathing turn the end of your routine into a way to wind down. If you clench your jaw, the routine in our jaw tension relief guide pairs well with an evening skincare session.
Skip face massage and gua sha on any area with active breakouts, irritation, sunburn or broken skin.
Building your routine from scratch
The easiest way to start a skincare routine is with three steps and one new product at a time. It’s tempting to buy a full lineup at once, but it makes it impossible to tell which product your skin likes and which one it doesn’t.
Start with three steps
- Morning: cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen.
- Night: cleanser, moisturiser.
Use this basic routine for a few weeks before adding anything else.
Add one product at a time
When you’re ready, add a single product, such as a serum or a retinoid, and keep everything else the same. The AAD notes that using several anti-aging products at the same time can irritate your skin, and suggests starting with one (AAD). The same page says most products need at least six weeks, and sometimes up to three months, before you can judge them, so give each one time.
Patch test new products
Before putting a new product on your face, the AAD suggests testing it on your inner forearm twice a day for four to five days. If you see no redness or itching, it’s generally fine to use on your face (AAD). Stop any product that stings, burns or causes a rash.
Match it to your skin
- Dry skin: richer creams, gentle cleansing, maybe a facial oil at night.
- Oily skin: lighter lotions or gels, but don’t skip moisturiser.
- Sensitive skin: fewer products, fragrance-free where possible, and extra caution with exfoliants and retinoids.
- Acne, rosacea or another skin condition: see a dermatologist before building a routine around actives. They can tell you which products suit your skin and in what order to use any prescriptions.
Common mistakes in skincare routine order
Most routine problems come from doing too much rather than too little. (If visible pores are your main concern, see how to make pores look smaller.) Watch out for these:
- Too many actives at once. A retinoid, an exfoliating acid and a vitamin C serum all on the same night is a common recipe for irritation. One active per routine is a sensible starting point.
- Skipping sunscreen. It’s the step that matters most in the morning, and it’s easy to drop on cloudy days. The AAD’s sunscreen advice applies on cloudy days too (AAD Sunscreen FAQs).
- Putting sunscreen under moisturiser. Sunscreen goes on top of your skincare, then makeup on top of sunscreen.
- Heavy before light. Applying a thick cream before a watery serum means the serum sits on top of the cream. Flip them.
- Over-exfoliating. The AAD notes that the more aggressive the exfoliation, the less often you need it, and that overdoing it can leave skin red and irritated (AAD). If you have a darker skin tone, the AAD also advises avoiding strong chemical or mechanical exfoliation, which can cause dark spots.
- Changing everything at once. If you switch three products in a week and your skin reacts, you won’t know why.
- Scrubbing. Gentle cleansing and patting dry beat hard rubbing every time.
Your AM and PM chart at a glance
Save or screenshot this chart and keep it near your sink. Optional steps are in brackets.
| Step | Morning (AM) | Night (PM) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gentle cleanser | Cleanser (twice if you wore heavy makeup or SPF) |
| 2 | (Toner) | (Toner) |
| 3 | Serum or morning treatment | Treatment, e.g. retinoid or exfoliant, not both |
| 4 | (Eye cream) | Serum |
| 5 | Moisturiser | (Eye cream) |
| 6 | (Face yoga, massage or gua sha) | Moisturiser |
| 7 | Sunscreen, SPF 30+ | (Facial oil) |
| 8 | (Makeup) | (Face yoga, massage or gua sha) |
Remember the three rules behind the chart: thinnest to thickest, treatments right after cleansing unless directed otherwise, and sunscreen last in the morning.
Learn your routine with Gluvy
If you’d like a little guidance while you build the habit, Gluvy’s skincare lessons break the basics into short, swipeable image guides. The Skincare Rituals lessons walk through cleansing, toner, serums, moisturising, sun protection and a night routine. There are also lessons on Acne & Large Pores and a Glow Up Challenge, plus article courses such as How to Use Retinol, How to Choose the Right Serum, How to Safely Exfoliate at Home, How to Fade Dark Spots, How to Minimize Pores and How to Get Glass Skin. Morning and night routine reminders help you keep the order without thinking about it. When you’re ready to add the massage layer, Gluvy’s gua sha video courses show each stroke with a timer for every step, and our complete guide to face yoga explains what face exercises can and can’t do.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology. Should I apply my skin care products in a certain order?
- American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatologist-recommended skin care for your 20s
- American Academy of Dermatology. How to apply sunscreen
- American Academy of Dermatology. Sunscreen FAQs
- American Academy of Dermatology. Practice safe sun
- American Academy of Dermatology. Retinoid or retinol?
- American Academy of Dermatology. How to safely exfoliate at home
- American Academy of Dermatology. How to maximize results from anti-aging skin care products
- Mayo Clinic. Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin
- Mukherjee S, et al. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2006.
Frequently asked questions
Does toner go before or after serum?
Before. Toner is a thin, watery step, so it goes on right after cleansing and before serums, eye cream and moisturiser. Toner is optional, so if you don't use one, simply go from cleanser to serum.
Should I apply moisturiser or sunscreen first?
Moisturiser first, then sunscreen as the last skincare step of the morning, with makeup on top if you wear it. If your moisturiser already contains broad-spectrum SPF and you apply enough of it, it can be your final step on its own.
When should I do gua sha in my skincare routine?
After cleansing and after any serum, once you have applied facial oil or moisturiser so the stone glides without tugging. In the morning, finish with sunscreen afterwards. In the evening, gua sha fits well as the slow, relaxing last part of your routine.
How long should I wait between skincare steps?
There is no single rule. Most people simply wait until a layer has sunk in and no longer feels wet before adding the next one. If a product's label gives a waiting time, follow it, and put sunscreen on about 15 minutes before you go outside.
Can I use retinol and vitamin C together?
Many people keep it simple by using vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night, which also avoids layering several strong products at once. Follow the directions on your products, and if you use a prescription retinoid or have sensitive skin, ask a dermatologist how to combine them.
Practise this with Gluvy. Follow-along videos with a timer for every step. See Gluvy's skincare lessons.
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The team that builds Gluvy writes these guides from the app's own face yoga, gua sha and skincare courses. We are not doctors or dermatologists: articles are general wellness information, and we link to the research where it exists.
This article is general wellness information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or dermatologist if you have a skin, jaw or other medical condition.
