What is the correct order of skin care?

What order should I follow in the morning?

1. 1Wash with a mild cleanser. Clean gently rather than scrubbing with a rough cloth or an abrasive cleanser. Those methods can damage the skin barrier, the outer layer that keeps moisture in.
2. 2Apply your morning treatment. If you use vitamin C serum, put it on after cleansing and before moisturizer. Vitamin C can help brighten skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
3. 3Apply moisturizer. Choose one that fits your skin's needs. Check whether your moisturizer already contains an active ingredient you use separately, rather than doubling up on the same ingredient.
4. 4Apply sunscreen. Use SPF 30 or higher every day, including cloudy days. If your moisturizer includes suitable sunscreen protection, a combination product can reduce the number of separate steps.

Does sunscreen go before or after makeup?

Sunscreen goes after your other skin care products and beneath makeup. Choose broad spectrum protection, which covers UVA and UVB rays, and water resistance. Apply sunscreen to your face and exposed skin 15 minutes before going outdoors. Makeup with SPF is not a straightforward substitute: getting its stated protection requires SPF 30 or higher and reapplying the makeup every two hours.23

What order should I follow at night?

1. 1Remove your makeup and wash your face before bed. Leaving makeup on overnight can cause breakouts.
2. 2Apply your evening treatment. For a retinoid, a vitamin A based skin treatment, wait 20 to 30 minutes after washing before applying it.
3. 3Moisturize. If a retinoid is too drying, reverse those two steps: apply a moisturizer that won't clog pores immediately after washing, then apply the retinoid 20 to 30 minutes later.

Where do prescription treatments go?

Skin medication generally goes directly after cleansing and before moisturizer or sunscreen. Gently pat your face dry after washing. A treatment belongs in this slot because application order affects how well products work, not because every treatment needs an extra serum underneath it. The moisturizer before retinoid approach above is a specific exception for dryness, rather than a reason to move every medication to the end.1

Where do toner, essence and eye cream fit?

For a routine that includes these extras, use cleanser, toner, then your chosen serum, essence or ampoule, followed by a thin moisturizer and eye cream. Finish with sunscreen in the morning. An evening version can finish with a thicker moisturizer. These are additional options, not a requirement to buy every category.4

A full Korean routine can start with an oil cleanser followed by a water cleanser, then place exfoliant before toner. Essence comes next, followed by a targeted serum, face oil or ampoule, then a sheet mask, eye cream and moisturizer. Sunscreen finishes the daytime routine. Ten steps describe a routine, not an attendance sheet.4

That extended routine includes exfoliation only once or twice a week and a sheet mask less than daily. More steps are not automatically better: the priority is gentle cleansing, hydration and sun protection. Add products slowly so you can identify what helps and what causes trouble. Products that leave your face tight or dry are a poor fit for this approach.4

What if I am starting from scratch?

Start with a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer suited to your skin type and daily sunscreen. A routine built around those three products is a valid starting point, even if it leaves several categories of the beauty aisle unemployed. Choose your products around whether your skin is oily, dry or sensitive, rather than adding steps first and finding a reason for them later. Some skin needs a more hydrating moisturizer. Avoid cleansers containing microbeads, which can cause irritation and inflammation. If you want an exfoliating product, glycolic acid is an option, not another compulsory daily step.5

How long should I give the routine?

Give a new skin care product at least 30 days of consistent use to judge whether it is working, unless it irritates your skin. For regular use of nonprescription retinol, improvements can start around three months. Retinol encourages old skin cells to shed and helps reduce fine lines, but it can irritate sensitive skin. Changing several products repeatedly makes it harder to judge progress.23

Stop using a product if it irritates your skin. Overusing exfoliants can damage the protective skin barrier and leave skin raw and irritated. If you have sensitive skin, test a new product on your inner arm before putting it on your face. See a dermatologist if a condition such as eczema or rosacea affects your quality of life.24