What is the correct order for a nighttime skincare routine?

What order should I follow?

1. 1Wash with a gentle cleanser and pat your face dry.
2. 2Apply any prescribed skin medicine or other treatment after cleansing. Retinol or a retinoid can fill this step at night.
3. 3Finish with moisturizer.

Extra products raise the chance of side effects, so the product shelf can pitch a nightly committee meeting without getting a vote. A simple order is easier to follow, and using several antiaging products can irritate skin.12

Should I use moisturizer before or after retinol at night?

Usually, apply retinol before moisturizer. If retinol irritates your skin, Cleveland Clinic suggests putting a thin layer of moisturizer on first as a buffer, then applying the retinol. Retinol can irritate people who are new to it or have naturally sensitive skin, so avoid doubling up on the same active ingredient in multiple products.23

How often should I use retinol, and when does it show results?

For topical retinoid medicines used for acne, DermNet lists once daily at bedtime, with improvement taking 12 weeks or longer. For over the counter retinol, Cleveland Clinic says regular use can take about three months to show improvement. Follow the directions for your exact product.34

Should I apply serum before night cream?

If you choose to use a serum, put it before night cream: the general layering rule is from thinnest to thickest. But Cleveland Clinic's basic evening routine uses retinol or a retinoid instead of a serum. A serum is optional, not a required extra step.2

How many steps should a nighttime skincare routine have?

Use two steps if you do not have a treatment to apply: cleanser, then moisturizer. Add one treatment between them if you use one. Cleveland Clinic's simple evening routine has three steps, while sunscreen is reserved for the morning. More products are not automatically more useful, and AAD notes that using several can irritate skin.5

Should I cleanse before applying night cream?

Yes. Cleanse before bed so the moisturizer goes on after washing, not over the day's dirt, oil and debris. Use a gentle cleanser once; double cleansing is not a punch card. AAD advises limiting face washing to twice daily and after sweating.25

When should I be careful with retinoids?

Topical retinoids can cause dryness and sun sensitivity, and can worsen eczema. Some topical retinoids are contraindicated in pregnancy, so check with your prescriber before using one while pregnant. Stop a product and make an appointment with a dermatologist if signs of contact dermatitis or skin irritation appear.24