Using the right products consistently matters more than the exact order, but a sensible order makes every step easier to use well. The rule of thumb: cleanse first, go from the thinnest texture to the thickest, and finish with SPF in the morning.
The order at a glance
| Step | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cleanse | A gentle cleanser | An oil-based cleanser first if you wore SPF or makeup, then your regular cleanser |
| 2. Tone (optional) | An alcohol-free toner | An alcohol-free toner |
| 3. Exfoliate | — | Some evenings only: pads, a polish or a leave-on acid |
| 4. LED mask (optional) | — | On clean, dry skin, before serums |
| 5. Hydrating serum | Hyaluronic acid on slightly damp skin | Hyaluronic acid on slightly damp skin |
| 6. Active serum | Vitamin C or another antioxidant | A retinoid, or a peptide or growth-factor serum |
| 7. Eye care | Eye serum or cream | Eye serum or cream |
| 8. Moisturizer | A lighter cream | A lighter or richer cream |
| 9. Sunscreen | Always the last step | — |
Morning
- Cleanse. A gentle cleanser is enough in the morning. ZO Gentle Cleanser suits all skin types; SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser is a non-foaming option if your skin feels sensitive.
- Tone (optional). An alcohol-free toner such as ZO Calming Toner preps skin for what follows.
- Hydrating serum (optional). Hyaluronic acid works well on skin that is still slightly damp. SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel goes on right after cleansing, under the rest of your routine.
- Vitamin C or antioxidant serum. Apply to clean, dry skin; if you used a hydrating serum, let it sink in first. SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+ is a gentler place to start with vitamin C.
- Other serums. A peptide serum, if you use one, such as ZO Firming Serum.
- Eye care. Pat a small amount around the orbital bone with your ring finger.
- Moisturizer. Choose the texture for your skin: lighter creams such as ZO Hydrating Creme for normal to combination skin, richer ones for dry skin.
- Sunscreen. Always the last step in the morning. See sun protection, or read how to choose a daily sunscreen.
Evening
- Cleanse. If you wore sunscreen or makeup, start with an oil-based cleanser, then follow with your regular cleanser.
- Exfoliate, on some evenings only. Pads such as ZO Complexion Renewal Pads, polishes or leave-on acids. The renewal pads, for example, start at three evenings a week.
- LED mask (optional). The Omnilux Contour Face goes on clean, dry skin for 10 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week, ideally in the evening before serums and moisturizer.
- Your evening active. A retinoid, or a peptide or growth-factor serum. Start retinoids two or three evenings a week and build up; SkinCeuticals Retinol comes in three strengths for this. For the first month, avoid using a retinoid and an acid exfoliant on the same evening.
- Eye care. The same gentle pat around the orbital bone. If an eye product contains a retinoid, such as Skinbetter Science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream, this is when it goes on.
- Moisturizer. A richer cream can be your last step at night. ZO Renewal Creme is rich enough to layer over retinol or other actives.
How long to wait between layers
Give each layer a moment to absorb before the next. A few labels are specific, and when they are, follow them. ZO Wrinkle + Texture Repair suggests a hydrating moisturizer 10 to 15 minutes after it, and Skinbetter Science Instant Effect Eye Gel should dry for about two minutes before concealer.
Rules of thumb
- Thin to thick: watery serums before gels, gels before creams.
- One new product at a time: add one, give it a couple of weeks, then add the next, so you know how your skin responds.
- The label wins: some products ask to go on damp skin, others on dry skin, and some ask you to wait before the next layer. When a label is specific, follow it over any general rule.
- SPF every morning: especially if you use retinoids, exfoliating acids or products for the look of dark spots.
A simple starting routine
Building from scratch? A gentle cleanser, one antioxidant serum in the morning, one active in the evening, a moisturizer that suits your skin and a daily sunscreen. Add steps only when you have a reason to.
Common questions
Does moisturizer go before or after sunscreen?
Before. Sunscreen is the last step of your morning routine, after moisturizer and before makeup.
Where does eye cream go?
After your serums and before moisturizer. Use your ring finger and pat it around the orbital bone rather than dragging.
Do I need a toner?
No, it is optional. If you like one, choose an alcohol-free toner and sweep it on right after cleansing, before your serums.
Can I use vitamin C and retinol in the same routine?
Yes, at different times of day: vitamin C in the morning and retinol in the evening. Vitamin C, retinol and peptides explains how the two fit together.
Can exfoliating pads and retinol go on the same night?
Keep them on separate evenings, at least at first. The SkinCeuticals Retinol directions say not to layer it with AHAs, BHAs or benzoyl peroxide on the same evening, and the leave-on exfoliants we carry ask you to avoid retinol on the same evening for the first month.
Where to start
- Cleanser: ZO Gentle Cleanser.
- Morning serum: SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+.
- Evening active: SkinCeuticals Retinol, starting at the 0.3 strength.
- Moisturizer: ZO Hydrating Creme, with ZO Renewal Creme at night if your skin is dry.
- Sunscreen: Colorescience Face Shield Flex SPF 50.
Browse serums, moisturizers and cleansers and toners, or text us at 236-234-6862 or 778-320-5759 with questions about the products we carry. We can help with products, but we can't give medical advice.
Related guides: SkinCeuticals vitamin C serums compared, retinol strengths explained, hyaluronic acid serums compared, the ZO Skin Health routine and the Skinbetter Science routine.