The short answer
Cleanse first, then any treatment, then moisturiser, and in the morning finish with sunscreen. That’s the order the American Academy of Dermatology gives: wash with a gentle cleanser and pat dry, apply any medication or treatment right after cleansing, then moisturiser and/or sunscreen, then makeup if you wear it.
A useful rule of thumb when you have several products: thinnest and most watery first, thickest last.
Morning
- Cleanser. A gentle one. If your skin is dry, a rinse with lukewarm water can be enough in the morning.
- Treatment or serum (optional). For example niacinamide or a vitamin C serum.
- Moisturiser. Oily skin still benefits from a light, oil-free one.
- Sunscreen. Broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, every morning, as the last skincare step. Sun exposure can make dark marks darker, so this step matters for them too.
Night
- Remove sunscreen and makeup, then cleanse. Some people use an oil or balm first, then their usual cleanser.
- Treatment. Night is where stronger actives usually go, such as a retinoid or an exfoliating acid like salicylic acid (BHA) a few times a week. Don’t start several at once.
- Moisturiser. Often a slightly richer one than in the morning.
If you use a treatment a doctor prescribed, follow their instructions for when and how to apply it, even if that differs from this order.
Adding a new product
Add one new product at a time, a couple of weeks apart. If you change three things at once and your skin reacts (or improves), you won’t know which one did it. The AAD also warns that using too many products can irritate the skin.
Before using something new on your face, test it on a small area, such as the inside of your arm, for 7–10 days, as the AAD suggests. If you notice redness, itching or swelling, wash it off and stop using it.
How long before it works
Give a routine several weeks before judging it. Many products for clogged pores and dark marks take around 6–12 weeks to show properly, and some (like retinoids) can make skin look a little worse in the first weeks. Taking a photo in the same light every couple of weeks makes progress much easier to see than checking the mirror daily.
See a GP, pharmacist or dermatologist for anything painful, deep, spreading or scarring, or a mole that changes. A routine can’t fix those.
Not sure where to start?
FacialStack looks at three photos of your face (front, left and right) and suggests a simple morning and night routine, with what each step is for and what it’s based on. The report is free with a free sign-in, for adults 18+. It’s cosmetic guidance from what’s visible in a photo, not a diagnosis. You can see an example report first.
More guides
- Which skincare products should I use?
- Large pores: why they look bigger and what actually helps
- Dark circles under your eyes: why you get them and what helps
- A simple skincare routine for oily skin
- Blackheads on your nose: what actually helps
- Dark marks after spots: why they stay and what fades them
- A simple skincare routine for men (beard included)
- AI skin analysis from a photo: what it can and can’t tell you
Sources: American Academy of Dermatology, “Should I apply my skin care products in a certain order?” and “How to test skin care products” (aad.org). General information only, not medical advice.