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Skincare routine order builder

Tick the products you own. Get the right order for morning and night, plus which nights to use retinol and acids, with skin cycling built in.

Tick what you own
It updates as you tick.

Morning

  1. Face wash
    A gentle wash. In the morning, a splash of water is fine if your skin is dry.
  2. Vitamin C serum
    A few drops, then let it sink in. Pairs well with sunscreen.
  3. Moisturizer
    A thin layer is plenty in the morning.
  4. Sunscreen
    Last, every morning: two finger lengths for face and neck.

Night

  1. Face wash
    Wash the day off.
  2. Retinol or retinal Mon · Thu
    Pea-sized, on dry skin. Keep it away from the corners of your eyes and mouth.
  3. Moisturizer
    Seals everything in.

Your week of nights

  1. MonRetinolRetinol night
  2. TueRestRecovery night
  3. WedRestRecovery night
  4. ThuRetinolRetinol night
  5. FriRestRecovery night
  6. SatRestRecovery night
  7. SunRestRecovery night

What we kept apart, and why

  • Vitamin C + retinol: one in the morning, one at night. Vitamin C pairs well with sunscreen in the morning, and retinoids work best at night.

Tips

  • Keep this schedule for about a month before adding nights. Drop back if you get stinging, peeling or redness.

The order, at a glance

The rule of thumb is thinnest to thickest, so watery layers can sink in before richer ones seal them. Sunscreen always goes last in the morning.

Morning

  1. Face wash, or just water
  2. Toner or essence
  3. Vitamin C serum
  4. Other serums, like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide
  5. Eye cream
  6. Moisturizer
  7. Sunscreen

Night

  1. Cleansing oil or balm, if you wore makeup or sunscreen
  2. Face wash
  3. Toner or essence
  4. Exfoliating acid (AHA or BHA), on its nights
  5. Serums
  6. Retinol, on its nights
  7. Eye cream
  8. Moisturizer
  9. Face oil, if you use one

What the builder keeps apart

It uses the same rules as the Skin Girlie app and our Can I mix these? checker: retinol and exfoliating acids go on different nights, two acids take turns, benzoyl peroxide stays off retinol nights, and vitamin C stays in the morning, away from retinol and benzoyl peroxide.

For the full nighttime routine, step by step, see the night skincare routine guide.

Questions

What order should I apply skincare in?

Thinnest to thickest. Morning: face wash, toner, serums like vitamin C, eye cream, moisturizer, then sunscreen last. Night: cleansing oil if you wore makeup or sunscreen, face wash, toner, exfoliating acid, serums, retinol, eye cream, moisturizer, then face oil.

What is skin cycling?

A simple rotation of nights: an exfoliating acid night, a retinol night, then recovery nights with just cleanser and moisturizer. You get both without using them together. Tick an acid and a retinol above and the builder lays it out for you.

Can I use retinol and acids on the same night?

It’s best not to. Both speed up skin renewal, and together they often leave skin red, dry or flaky. The builder always puts them on different nights.

Where does sunscreen go in my routine?

Last in the morning, after moisturizer. Use about two finger lengths for your face and neck, and reapply when you’re outside for a long time.

How long should I wait between steps?

Usually just until each layer has sunk in, a minute or so. Retinol goes on dry skin, so pat your face dry first.

Is this medical advice?

No. These are general cosmetic skincare tips. If a doctor gave you a routine, follow theirs.

Your skin, simplified.

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