Q: In what order should I use skincare products?

Short answer: If you have no specific concerns, just cleanse and moisturize + apply a sunscreen.

Some may recognize this scenario: two bags of cosmetics, 75 ampoules of concentrated boosters, five jars of glycolic and salicylic acid, various forms of vitamin C, and a mountain of concealers, blushes, and all sorts of other products in every color, plus a gallon of micellar water, a gallon of cleansing oil, a crate of sunscreens, half a gallon of thermal water, and two dozen peptides. It’s not that all this is necessary or regularly used, but once you start collecting cosmetics, you might as well go all in. The only thing missing is retinol. Why? Because retinol is tricky to use.

How to choose the right product? In what order to use them? Serum before or after the cream? A multi-step skincare routine can be fascinating, relaxing, and beneficial – but also very confusing.

First rule:

Skincare products that stay on the skin (everything after cleansing — tonics, creams, serums) should be applied in order from the lightest to the thickest.

Second rule:

First, apply products meant to work in the deeper layers of the skin (antioxidants, retinoids). Second, apply those intended for the stratum corneum (emollients, humectants). The ideal morning routine looks something like this:

1. Cleansing (with water or a cleansing product)
2. Tonics, essences, boosters, and other liquid products (if you use them)
3. Serum (or multiple serums) with active ingredients
4. Eye cream (if you use it)
5. Moisturizer
6. Sunscreen

If you have no specific concerns and your skin is adequately hydrated, cleansing and moisturizing/protection from the sun will suffice. If you have several issues (each with its own serum or spot treatment), use the principle “from light to heavy textures.” And always check ingredient compatibility.

In the evening, the sequence doesn’t change. The only addition to cleansing with a cleansing product is the makeup removal step (if you use makeup). For this, it’s best to use a separate product – cleansing oil, balm, or micellar water. And, of course, sunscreen at night is unnecessary.