What’s the Best Skincare Routine Order?

If you’re a skincare enthusiast, you may already know which products to use in your morning and evening skincare routines. However, figuring out how to correctly layer your skincare products isn’t always as straightforward—especially when layering face oil and moisturizer or determining when to use retinol. But does your skincare routine order really matter when it comes to achieving your complexion goals? The answer to this question is a resounding yes, and here’s why: Layering products out of order can mean that you’re not reaping the full benefits of each formula.

Ahead, we’re helping to simplify the process with a full breakdown of the ideal skincare routine order for your morning and evening routines. We’ll also share a basic skincare routine that you can tailor to suit your skin’s unique needs. Find it all—plus a look at some of our favorite skincare products—below.

How To Create a Skincare Routine

Skincare routines aren’t one-size-fits-all—the number of steps and products in your daily routine can vary based on your personal preferences and needs. For some people, a basic skincare routine that keeps things simple is best, while others revel in the idea of an indulgent 10-step routine. With that said, there are a few factors to consider when curating the ideal skincare routine.

Identify your skin type

If you want to create the best skincare routine for your skin, you’ll need to understand your skin type—which can be normal, oily, dry, combination, or sensitive. Each skin type has unique needs and may benefit from different types of skincare formulas. People with dry skin will generally want to look for rich, nourishing formulas, while those with oily skin tend to do better with lighter, water-based formulas.

Target your primary skin concerns

When building a skincare routine, look for products and ingredients that can help you target any skin concerns you may have. Products with chemical exfoliants (like salicylic acid and glycolic acid), for instance, can be great for those with dull skin, rough texture, and discoloration. Retinol products can be ideal for reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles while vitamin C products can help brighten and even your skin tone.

Consider the ingredients you’re layering

Some skincare ingredients—such as retinol and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)—may be a bit irritating when used together in a skincare routine. This can depend on your skin type and the specific products you’re using, but it’s a useful consideration to keep in mind. Always read any product labels carefully for specific instructions. When in doubt, ask your dermatologist—they can help you identify which ingredients might be best to use separately.

What’s the Best Morning Skincare Routine Order?

The proper skincare order for your morning routine is pretty straightforward. You’ll need a few basics (cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen) plus any additional products you want to include in your routine—like toner, serum, or eye cream.

When determining the correct order for skincare products, there’s one rule of thumb to remember: Skincare formulas should typically be applied in order of consistency from thinnest to thickest, as this helps ensure everything has a chance to absorb. Read on for more details and a step-by-step breakdown of each step.

Step 1: Wash your face

The first skincare step in your morning routine should always be cleansing. Facial cleansers can help remove any dirt, excess oil, and other impurities that may have collected on your skin’s surface overnight.

One of our favorite cleansers for a refreshing morning cleanse is the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser. This daily gel cleanser gently exfoliates to reveal smoother, brighter-looking skin. The formula features glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and aloe extract, and is suitable for all skin types (even sensitive skin). With continued use, it leaves your skin feeling fresher and revitalized while reducing the look of rough or uneven texture and enlarged pores.

Step 2: Apply a serum

If you’ll be using a facial serum in your routine, apply it after washing your face. Serums help target specific skin concerns, so look for a formula that addresses your skin complaints. For visible signs of aging, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum for your morning routine. This lightweight serum instantly hydrates the skin and helps improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles with continued use. It’s suitable for all skin types and absorbs quickly with a non-greasy feel.

To help target uneven skin tone and enlarged pores, try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum. This brightening formula can be used in the morning to instantly improve your skin’s radiance and visibly even your skin tone for a more youthful-looking complexion. Over time, it also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and enlarged pores.

Step 3: Use an eye cream or serum

The delicate skin around your eyes can be prone to skin concerns such as dark circles and fine lines. So, after moisturizing, grab an eye cream or serum to help address any under-eye concerns.

One excellent option to consider for your morning routine is the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Eye Cream Treatment. This anti-aging eye treatment targets five visible signs of aging, including puffiness, bags, dark circles, fine lines, and crepey lids. Use it twice daily to reveal a fresher, younger-looking eye area over time.

Alternatively, try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid + 1% Caffeine Eye Serum. It instantly depuffs and helps brighten the under-eye area so you can fake a rested look—even if you’re secretly wishing you hit the snooze button.

Step 4: Moisturize

After your serum is fully absorbed, it’s time to hydrate your skin with a moisturizer—like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream. This non-greasy, fast-absorbing moisturizer with micro hyaluronic acid and ceramides instantly replump your skin with over 50% more moisture. In addition to delivering deep hydration, this moisturizer also promotes brighter, softer, and more youthful-looking skin over time.

Step 5: End with sunscreen

The last step in your morning skincare routine should always be a broad-spectrum sunscreen—even on cloudy days or during the winter months. Broad-spectrum sunscreen products help protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. For this skincare step, try the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Invisible UV Fluid. This lightweight, invisible formula blends well with all skin tones and is suitable for all skin types—including sensitive skin and mature skin. Plus, it doubles as an excellent makeup primer.

If preferred, you can also consider combining two skincare steps into one with a moisturizer that contains SPF. In this case, you would apply your eye cream followed by a moisturizer with sunscreen as the last step in your morning routine. We suggest trying the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30, which includes pro-retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen. This daytime formula helps brighten, firm, and hydrate your skin while reducing the look of fine lines over time. Keep in mind that whichever you choose, you’ll want to reapply your sunscreen every two hours or after sweating or swimming).

What’s the Best Nighttime Skincare Routine Order?

When it comes to your nighttime skincare routine order, we have good news: Your evening routine should follow the same “thinnest to thickest” rule but with a few minor tweaks. Here are the steps to follow when curating your evening routine.

Step 1: Remove any makeup

If you wear makeup, it’s important to remove it before heading to bed. A gentle eye makeup remover—like the L’Oréal Paris Eye Makeup Remover—can condition and refresh your eye area in the evening while thoroughly removing all traces of eye makeup. Plus, it’s oil-free and won’t leave behind a greasy residue.

Step 1: Wash your face

After using a makeup remover, it’s time to wash your face. Your skin can accumulate a lot of grime throughout the day, which makes your evening cleanse all the more important. The L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser is one of our favorites for an effective nighttime cleanse. It’s formulated to gently exfoliate and nourish your skin while boosting radiance. The formula removes all traces of makeup and impurities to refresh your skin and leave it looking smoother, brighter, and more refined.

Step 2: Apply a face toner

Facial toners were originally used to remove any residual dirt and grime after cleansing. While modern toners can still do this, they now tend to be geared toward addressing skin concerns, like dullness or dryness. The L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 5% Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner, for example, provides gentle exfoliation to reveal softer, more even-looking skin over time. Toners can also be used as part of your morning routine—apply it after cleansing but before smoothing on your daytime serum.

Step 3: Use a targeted nighttime serum

There are nearly endless options to choose from when it comes to nighttime serums. However, we’re partial to the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum. This facial serum with our Antioxidant Recovery Complex and hyaluronic acid works to replenish your skin’s antioxidant levels while you sleep. Over time, your skin will look smoother, firmer, and more radiant.

If uneven skin tone is your primary concern, you can also try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Bright Reveal 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum. This formula helps visibly fade dark spots (including sun spots, age spots, and post-acne marks) and helps revive dull-looking skin.

And, of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention a serum with retinol, which is an anti-aging staple ingredient. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s often recommended for use in the evening. You can find retinol in the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol, which makes a great option for all skin types. Over time, wrinkles (even stubborn forehead wrinkles) will be less noticeable, and your skin will feel smoother and look more refined.

Step 4: Smooth on a hydrating eye cream

Next up in your nighttime skincare routine order is an evening eye cream, such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Eye Treatment. It’s formulated with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and pro-retinol and helps visibly reduce wrinkles, de-puff, and brighten the eye area in as little as one week. You can also use it during the day, as the oil-free formula layers well under makeup.

Step 5: Finish with a moisturizer

As the last step in your evening skincare routine, try a dedicated night cream, like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Cell Renewal Midnight Cream, Antioxidants. The rich yet non-greasy formula firms, smooths, and deeply hydrates the skin while creating the optimal environment for skin barrier repair. Apply a generous layer to your face each night to promote a more revitalized, refreshed complexion with consistent use.

Next Up: How To Exfoliate Properly for Brighter, Smoother Skin

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris