You’ve invested in good skincare. Now let’s make sure you’re getting the most out of it.
This might seem like basic skincare knowledge, but I can’t tell you how often I get asked, “What order am I supposed to apply all of these products?”
And I get it! Between serums, moisturizers, eye creams, and all the latest skincare ingredients, it’s easy to get a little confused about what goes where.
The good news is that your skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated. But the order you apply your products does matter, and understanding a little of the science behind it will help you get the most out of your investment.
Does the Order of Your Skincare Products Matter?
Here’s the easiest rule to remember: Apply your products from thinnest to thickest.
There’s actually some science behind this, and it has to do with how products are formulated and something called molecular weight.
Molecular weight refers to the mass of a molecule, which is related to its size. Smaller molecules generally have an easier time penetrating the skin than larger ones, although the formulation and chemical properties of an ingredient also determine how it behaves.
Lightweight serums are designed to deliver concentrated ingredients, while richer creams and moisturizers contain ingredients that help soften the skin, replenish lipids, and prevent moisture loss.
By layering your lighter products first and finishing with richer formulations, you’re giving each product the opportunity to do its job.
The Science, Simplified
Think of your skincare products like getting dressed. You wouldn’t put your winter coat on before your shirt, right?
Your serums are your lightweight layers, and your moisturizer is your coat. Each serves a different purpose, and the order helps everything work together.
Of course, certain treatment products have their own application instructions, but for your everyday routine, thinnest to thickest is the rule to follow.
Your Morning Skincare Routine: Protect & Prevent
Your morning routine should focus on hydration, antioxidants, and protecting your skin from the environmental stressors it encounters throughout the day.
Here’s the order I recommend:
1. Cleanser
Start with clean skin. Cleansing removes excess oil, sweat, and any residue from your nighttime products, giving you a fresh start.
2. Toner (Optional)
A well-formulated toner adds a layer of hydration and helps prepare your skin for the products that follow.
Not everyone needs a toner, so don’t feel like you’re missing something if it’s not part of your routine.
3. Serums
This is where we start getting into the good stuff!
Serums are designed to deliver targeted ingredients that address specific skin concerns. They typically have smaller molecules to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection, niacinamide supports the skin barrier and helps improve uneven skin tone, and hyaluronic acid attracts water to hydrate the skin.
If you’re using more than one serum, apply the thinnest formulation first.
4. Eye Cream
The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, which is why products formulated specifically for this area can be beneficial.
Eye creams help address concerns like dryness, fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness, depending on their ingredients.
Gently tap your eye cream around the orbital bone using your ring finger. There’s no need to rub or tug at this delicate skin.
5. Moisturizer
Your moisturizer does more than make your skin feel soft. It helps maintain your skin barrier, replenish essential lipids, and prevent moisture loss.
And yes, even oily skin needs moisture! The key is choosing the right formulation for your skin type.
6. Sunscreen
Last, but absolutely not least, sunscreen.
I could write an entire article about the importance of sunscreen (and probably will!), but for now, just know that this is one step I never want you skipping.
A broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher helps protect your skin from UV damage, premature aging, and unwanted pigmentation.
You can invest in all the anti-aging and brightening products in the world, but if you’re not protecting your skin from the sun, you’re working against yourself.
Sunscreen is always your final morning skincare step, before makeup.
Your Evening Skincare Routine: Repair & Renew
While your morning routine focuses on protection, your evening routine is your opportunity to focus on skin renewal and correcting specific concerns.
1. Cleanser
Wash away the day’s makeup, sunscreen, oil, and environmental buildup.
If you’re wearing makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, I recommend a double cleanse to make sure everything is thoroughly removed.
2. Toner (Optional)
Apply your toner after cleansing for an additional layer of hydration.
3. Treatment Products & Serums
Nighttime is a great opportunity to incorporate ingredients like retinoids, peptides, exfoliating acids, and other targeted treatments.
This is also where I want you to be a little selective.
Just because you own five different treatment serums doesn’t mean you need to use all five every night!
Some active ingredients are best used on alternating nights, and certain treatments require specific application instructions. More isn’t always better, especially when we’re trying to maintain a healthy skin barrier.
4. Eye Cream
Apply your eye cream gently around the eye area. Depending on the formulation, you can use the same eye cream morning and night or choose a more targeted nighttime product.
5. Moisturizer
Finish with a moisturizer that supports your skin barrier and helps maintain hydration overnight.
Nighttime is a great opportunity to use a slightly richer moisturizer if your skin needs additional nourishment.
Not All Ingredients Are Created Equal
Just because two skincare products list the same ingredient doesn't mean they're going to deliver the same results. The quality, concentration, stability, and overall formulation all play a role in how effectively an ingredient performs.
Are all Vitamin C Serums Created Equal?
Vitamin C is a perfect example of how ingredients listed on a label can be drastically different in their efficacy. There are several different forms of vitamin C used in skincare, and they aren't all created equal. Some are more stable, some penetrate the skin differently, and others require conversion before the skin can utilize them. Even a product with a high percentage of vitamin C won't deliver its intended benefits if the ingredient has oxidized or isn't formulated properly.
Another important factor is the vehicle, which is essentially the formulation that carries and delivers the active ingredients into or onto your skin. Whether it's a serum, cream, or gel, the vehicle influences ingredient stability, absorption, and overall performance.
This is why I always encourage looking beyond the ingredient list or the percentage advertised on the bottle. Great skincare isn't just about what's in the product. It's about how those ingredients are formulated to work together.
The Science, Simplified
Think of it this way: Having a great ingredient is only part of the equation. It also needs to be in the right form, at an effective concentration, and delivered in a formulation that allows it to do its job.
Two products can both advertise 15% vitamin C, but that doesn't mean they'll perform the same way. The specific form of vitamin C, its stability, the product's pH, and its delivery system can make a significant difference.
The takeaway: Don't judge a skincare product by one impressive ingredient or percentage on the label. The formulation as a whole is what determines how effectively those ingredients can benefit your skin. As a consumer, it's incredibly difficult to know exactly what you're getting. An ingredient list only tells part of the story, and much of what determines a product's effectiveness isn't something you'll find on the label.
Let’s Talk About Molecular Weight
I want to touch on molecular weight a little more because it’s an important concept in skincare, and one that gets thrown around quite a bit in product marketing.
One of the easiest ways to understand it is by looking at hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in our skin that helps attract and retain water. But not all hyaluronic acid molecules are the same size.
High-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid consists of larger molecules that primarily work at the skin’s surface, providing hydration and helping the skin appear smoother and more plump.
Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid contains smaller molecules that interact with the more superficial layers of the skin, depending on how they’re formulated.
Both serve a purpose, and neither is automatically better than the other.
This is why I always emphasize that skincare isn’t just about having a trendy ingredient on the label. It’s about the entire formulation, but companies don’t typically disclose these details.
The molecular weight, concentration, delivery system, and supporting ingredients all influence how a product performs.
The Science, Simplified
Smaller doesn’t automatically mean better, and deeper doesn’t automatically mean more effective.
Some ingredients are designed to work within the skin, while others do their best work right at the surface.
The goal is to use the right ingredients, in the right formulations, for the right reasons.
Do You Really Need to Wait Between Products?
Another question I hear all the time is, “How long do I need to wait before applying the next product?”
For most everyday skincare products, you don’t need to wait several minutes between steps.
Once your serum has spread evenly and settled onto the skin, you can move on to your next product.
Certain treatments, particularly some retinoids and prescription products, have specific instructions about applying them to dry skin. Always follow those directions.
But for your everyday hydrating serums, eye creams, and moisturizers, there’s no need to turn your skincare routine into a 30-minute production.
We all have enough to do!
More Products Don’t Equal Better Skin
I love skincare. Obviously! But I’m also a big believer that you don’t need a bathroom counter overflowing with products to have beautiful, healthy skin.
In fact, using too many active ingredients can create more problems than it solves.
Over-exfoliating, combining incompatible treatments, or constantly switching products can lead to irritation and disrupt your skin barrier.
A well-designed routine should be intentional. Every product should have a purpose.
And if you don’t know why you’re using something, just ask! Feel free to bring your products to your next facial appointment, and we can look them over together.
The Bottom Line: Keep It Simple
If you remember one thing from this article, let it be this:
Cleanse. Treat. Moisturize. Protect.
That’s the foundation of a good skincare routine.
Apply your products from thinnest to thickest, follow the instructions for specialized treatments, and remember that consistency is far more important than having a complicated routine.
After more than 20 years working in skincare, one thing I know for certain is that great skin doesn’t come from using the most products. It comes from understanding your skin and choosing products that support its health and function.
At GloWild Regenerative Skin Studio in Cary, Illinois, my goal is never to send you home with a bag full of products you don’t need. I want you to understand what you’re using, why you’re using it, and how to get the best results from it.
And if you’re standing in your bathroom staring at five bottles wondering which one goes first, bring them to your next appointment! I’m always happy to help you sort through your routine.
Because skincare should be effective, not confusing.
Keep on glowing!
-Lanae
GloWild Regenerative Skin Studio
875 Feinberg Ct. Suite 100 | Cary, IL 60013
