How to Layer Skincare in the Right Order

Step 1: Cleanse

Everything else fails if your skin is not clean, so cleansing is always first, morning and night. A clean surface lets your serums and moisturiser absorb instead of sitting on top of oil, sunscreen and the day's grime.

In the morning, a single gentle cleanse is plenty. In the evening, if you have worn makeup or SPF, double cleanse: start with a micellar water or oil-based cleanser to break down makeup and sunscreen, then follow with a water-based cleanser to clear what is left.

• Use lukewarm water, not hot, which can strip and irritate the skin barrier.
• Massage for 30 to 60 seconds rather than a quick splash.
• If your skin feels tight and squeaky after, the cleanser is too harsh - switch to a hydrating formula.

Step 2: Tone or Use an Essence

After cleansing, a toner or essence resets the skin and adds a first thin layer of hydration so the rest of your routine glides on. This is also where any liquid exfoliant goes if you use one, but never combine an exfoliating acid with vitamin C or retinol in the same routine.

Match the type to your goal:

• Hydrating toner or essence: alcohol-free, with hyaluronic acid or soothing botanicals - good for almost everyone and ideal before active serums.
• Exfoliating toner (AHA or BHA): a few nights a week only, usually in the evening. Skip it on the same night you use retinol.

Tap it in with clean hands or a cotton pad, then give it 15 to 30 seconds to dry down before the next step.

Step 3: Apply Treatment Serums

Serums are the workhorses of a routine: thin, concentrated formulas that target a specific concern and sink in fast. Because they are lightweight, they go before heavier creams so the actives sit close to the skin. If you layer more than one serum, apply the most watery first and the most gel-like last, waiting around 20 seconds between each.

Pair actives to the right time of day to avoid clashes and wasted product:

• Morning: antioxidants like vitamin C to brighten and shield against pollution, plus hydrators like hyaluronic acid.
• Evening: retinol for fine lines and texture, or a hydrating serum to support overnight repair.
• Keep vitamin C in the morning and retinol or exfoliating acids at night - using them together is a common cause of irritation.

A hyaluronic acid serum suits almost everyone and slots into either routine. Apply it to slightly damp skin so it can draw in moisture rather than pull it from your face.

Step 4: Eye Care

The skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate, so it gets its own step before your face moisturiser. An eye cream or serum can help with puffiness, dark circles and early fine lines, though it will not erase them entirely.

• Use a small amount, roughly the size of a grain of rice per eye.
• Pat it gently along the orbital bone with your ring finger - never drag the skin.
• Stay clear of the lash line so the product does not creep into your eyes.

If your serum and moisturiser are fragrance-free and gentle enough for the eye area, a separate eye product is optional rather than essential.

Step 5: Moisturise

Moisturiser softens the skin and, just as importantly, locks in the lighter layers underneath. Choose the texture to your skin type and the time of day:

• Oily or combination skin: a gel or light lotion that absorbs quickly.
• Dry skin: a richer cream or balm with ceramides and glycerin.
• Morning: lighter formulas that sit well under SPF and makeup.
• Evening: a more nourishing night cream that works with your skin's overnight recovery.

Warm a small amount between clean fingers and press it in with upward strokes. If your skin is dry or you use a face oil, that occlusive oil goes after moisturiser at night to seal everything in, or before SPF in the morning.

Step 6: Finish with SPF (Mornings Only)

Sunscreen is the final step of every morning routine, full stop. Even if your moisturiser feels heavier than your SPF, the sunscreen still goes last so its protective film sits on top and is not diluted by anything applied over it. Skip it and you undo much of the work your serums are doing, since UV damage drives both ageing and pigmentation.

• Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, every day of the year, rain or shine.
• Apply two fingers' worth for the face and neck, and let it set for a minute before makeup.
• Reapply every two hours when you are outdoors for a long stretch - a spray or powder SPF makes touch-ups over makeup easier.

A moisturiser with built-in SPF can simplify the morning, but make sure it genuinely reaches a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or above and that you apply enough of it.