Skincare Routine Order for Beginners: Morning and Night Steps

A skincare routine does not need ten steps to work, but the order you apply products in does matter. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the sequence you use affects how well your products work. This guide lays out a simple morning and night order, clears up the wait-time myth, and shows how to layer active ingredients without irritating your skin, which is especially useful as Canadian weather turns cold and dry.

The basic rule: thin to thick, sunscreen last

The AAD's order is straightforward: wash your face, apply any treatment right after cleansing, then moisturizer and/or sunscreen, then makeup if you wear it. A handy rule of thumb for everything in between is to go from the thinnest, most watery texture to the thickest. Watery toners and serums go on before lotions and creams, and a cream goes on before a balm or oil at night.

In the morning, sunscreen is always the last skincare step, before makeup. At night, the richest product goes on last to help hold everything in place.

Your morning routine, step by step

1. Cleanse. A gentle cleanser, or just lukewarm water if your skin is dry and you cleansed well the night before. Pat dry.
2. Toner (optional). A hydrating, alcohol-light toner can add moisture, but it is not essential.
3. Serum. This is where a targeted product goes, for example vitamin C, niacinamide or hyaluronic acid.
4. Eye cream (optional). Pat it on with your ring finger, which the AAD suggests because it will not pull on delicate skin.
5. Moisturizer. Choose a texture that suits your skin; many people move to a richer cream in winter.
6. Sunscreen. Health Canada recommends a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher.
7. Makeup, if you wear it.

A few sunscreen details are worth knowing. Health Canada's sunscreen advice suggests about one teaspoon for the face and neck, applied at least 15 minutes before you go outside. It also reminds Canadians to protect their skin on cloudy days and in winter, because snow reflects UV rays. Sunscreens sold in Canada carry a DIN or an NPN on the label. If you use a face oil in the morning, keep it light and apply it before sunscreen, never on top.

Your night routine, step by step

1. Remove makeup and sunscreen. A cleansing balm, oil or micellar water works well. Our Cleansers, Toners & Makeup Removers department covers all of these.
2. Cleanse. Follow with your regular gentle cleanser if you wore makeup or heavy sunscreen.
3. Toner (optional).
4. Treatment. This is where retinol or an exfoliating acid goes, on alternate nights rather than together while you are starting out. Prescription products should always be used exactly as your prescriber directs.
5. Hydrating serum (optional). Hyaluronic acid or a barrier-support serum.
6. Eye cream (optional).
7. Moisturizer. Night creams are often thicker; see our Moisturizers & Creams.
8. Face oil (optional). If you use one, it goes last to seal in the layers beneath.

Wait times: myth vs fact

Myth: you must wait ten minutes between every step or your products will not work.

Fact: the AAD's guidance on product order does not set any universal wait time. In practice, give each layer a moment to settle so the next one spreads evenly instead of rolling up into little flakes (pilling). A minute or so is usually enough for thin serums.

There are two real exceptions:

• The label says so. Some products, including many prescription treatments, come with specific instructions, such as applying to fully dry skin. Follow them.
• Sunscreen before going out. Health Canada advises applying sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure, so do your routine before you are heading out the door.

How many products do you really need?

Fewer than you might think. The AAD's advice for pregnancy skin care, for instance, centres on three steps: cleanse, moisturize, and protect from the sun. That trio is a solid base for almost anyone:

• Cleanser
• Moisturizer
• Sunscreen (morning)

From there, add one targeted product at a time if you have a specific goal, such as a serum from our Serums & Treatments department. More is not better: the AAD warns that using too many products may irritate the skin, especially if you use more than one anti-aging product. Its tips for anti-aging products also note that most products take at least six weeks to show results, and sometimes up to three months, so give each addition time before judging it.

Before adding anything new, test it. The AAD's patch-test method is to apply the product to a quarter-sized spot, such as the inside of the elbow, twice a day for seven to 10 days. If there is no reaction, you can use it more widely.

Layering actives safely

"Actives" are ingredients that do a specific job, such as retinol, exfoliating acids (AHAs and BHAs) and vitamin C. A few simple habits keep them working without making your skin angry:

• Retinol at night only, because retinoids can increase sun sensitivity.
• Vitamin C in the morning is a common choice, under your moisturizer and sunscreen.
• Do not stack strong actives at first. Alternate retinol and exfoliating acids on different nights rather than layering them.
• Hydrators play well with others. Hyaluronic acid and plain moisturizers are easy to add to almost any routine.
• Listen to your skin. The AAD advises stopping any product that stings, burns or tingles. Tightness, flaking or redness is a sign to pare back.

If you have a skin condition such as acne, rosacea or eczema, a pharmacist, doctor or dermatologist can help you decide which actives fit alongside any treatment you use.

Quick routine checklist

• Morning: cleanse, (toner), serum, (eye cream), moisturizer, sunscreen SPF 30+, makeup.
• Night: remove makeup, cleanse, (toner), treatment, (serum), (eye cream), moisturizer, (face oil).
• Thin to thick; sunscreen last in the morning; oil last at night.
• No fixed wait times; let layers settle and follow label directions.
• Start with three basics; add one active at a time and patch test first.

Ready to put it together? Browse the full Skincare department.

Frequently asked questions

What order should I apply skincare in the morning?

Cleanse, then toner if you use one, serum, eye cream, moisturizer and sunscreen, followed by makeup. Sunscreen is the last skincare step.

Do I need to wait between skincare steps?

There is no universal wait time. Let each layer settle briefly so the next one spreads evenly, follow any product-specific directions, and apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outside, as Health Canada advises.

Does face oil go before or after moisturizer?

At night, face oil usually goes last, after moisturizer, to seal in the layers beneath it. In the morning, apply any oil before sunscreen, never on top of it.

How many skincare products do I really need?

A cleanser, a moisturizer and a daily sunscreen are a solid base. Add one targeted product at a time, since using too many products can irritate the skin.

Can I use retinol and exfoliating acids together?

While you are starting out, use them on alternate nights rather than layering them. If your skin stings, burns or flakes, reduce how often you use them.