Does toner go before or after serum?

How to apply toner and serum

1. 1Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, then gently pat dry.
2. 2Apply toner to clean, dry skin.
3. 3Apply your serum before thicker products such as moisturizing cream.
4. 4Apply moisturizer.
5. 5Finish with sunscreen in the morning.

Do you need toner before serum?

No. Toner is optional, so the bottle does not get a vote in whether you need it. If you skip toner, serum can go straight after cleansing.1

Modern toners often hydrate skin or deliver ingredients aimed at concerns such as acne or signs of aging. Toner is not a replacement for washing your face: although toners are water based, they do not have the same cleansing ability as facial cleansers. Choose toner for what it contributes to your routine, rather than treating it as a compulsory step between two bottles.3

Micellar water belongs with cleansers, even if its watery appearance has applied for a transfer. It removes dirt, oil and most makeup, so use it at the cleansing stage rather than as your toner. Toner follows cleansing, not the other way around.3

What order should cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen go in?

The basic morning order is cleanser, moisturizer, then sunscreen. Use moisturizer morning and evening; sunscreen is the final morning skincare step. You do not need sunscreen at night.1

Where does serum go in a skincare routine?

Serum goes after cleansing and any optional toner, before moisturizer. The general layering rule is thinnest to thickest: putting a thick cream on first can make it harder for a thinner serum to penetrate. Keep to one serum at a time rather than stacking several.1

If you use skin medication, apply it right after cleansing, before moisturizer or sunscreen. Do not automatically put toner ahead of a prescribed treatment just because toner normally comes before serum. Medication occupies the treatment step, not an extra slot after every cosmetic product. Makeup, if you wear it, comes after moisturizer and sunscreen.2

When should you skip toner?

Toners can cause dryness or irritation. Introduce fewer new products, avoid heavy fragrance, and stop a product if irritation develops; make an appointment with a dermatologist.1

If you have rosacea, skip toners and astringents. Rosacea often makes skin sensitive and easily irritated. Choose fragrance free products rather than products labeled unscented, and test new skincare before applying it to your face. If you use rosacea medication, cleanse first, apply the medication, then apply a suitable moisturizer. These steps take priority over adding toner.4

Does face oil go before or after moisturizer?

Apply face oil just before moisturizer. Face oils can be too occlusive, meaning they seal the skin, and can contribute to acne; reserve them for dry skin rather than adding them automatically.1