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How do you layer skincare correctly?

11/04/25 6:53pm

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Ellen Turner
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

01/07/26 1:06am

Start with cleanser. Then, a helpful way to think about it is to go from thinnest to thickest viscosity. You'll do serums first, then gels, lotions, and creams, and the last thing to go on will be your SPF. You usually want to wait about two to three minutes in between products so they layer nicely. If you're using retinoids, just make sure you're using them at night. Also, if you're experiencing irritation from a retinoid, we teach our patients to sandwich their moisturizer. Meaning, put moisturizer on, wait a couple of minutes, put the retinoid on, wait a couple more minutes, and then finally put moisturizer on again.

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Lisset Tresvant
Esthetician

11/04/25 6:55pm

Here's the correct order for layering in a skincare routine:

Cleanse your face for 60 seconds.
Use toner to rebalance your skin’s pH.
Apply moisturizer to lock in hydration.
Use sunscreen as the last step in your morning routine.

In the evening, exfoliate 2-3 times a week after cleansing to remove dead skin cells, and apply a serum after toning to treat specific skin concerns, such as acne or hyperpigmentation. You can also use an eye cream after applying a serum and before applying moisturizer if you like.

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Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

12/09/25 5:44pm

Typically, skincare products are layered: serum/treatment, then moisturizer, then SPF. Serums are designed with actives that we want to be tucked into the skin, so putting them under the moisturizer ensures the occlusives (moisturizing properties) of the hydrators both keep the active ingredients below the moisturizing layer and don’t hinder their performance.

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Thomasanderson33

12/12/25 3:36am

A simple rule makes skincare layering easy: go from thinnest to thickest.

Cleanser

Toner or essence (optional)

Serums (like vitamin C or hyaluronic acid)

Moisturizer

Sunscreen in the morning

Oils or treatments last, if you use them

This order helps each product absorb properly and gives you the best results without piling or irritation.

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