The right order to apply skincare: toner, serum, cream, which goes first? Morning and night steps made simple

Hi, I’m Derrick. Toner, serum, lotion, cream, sunscreen… once you have many products, the question I get most is: “Which one do I apply first?”

In this post I’ll cover the main principle first, then lay out the morning and night order for you, answer a few common questions, and finally share two skincare habits that help you avoid mistakes.

The basic principle: thin to thick, water before oil

The main rule for skincare order is: start with the lightest, most watery product, then work up to the thickest, richest one.

The reason is simple: light products go on first so they spread evenly over the skin; rich products go last so they can hold in the moisture you added before.

If you reverse the order and put a thick cream on first, the toner afterwards will be hard to spread.

Morning skincare order (general guide)

1. Gentle cleanse: in the morning, warm water or a gentle facial cleanser is enough.
2. Toner: adds hydration and preps the skin for the next products.
3. Serum: for example vitamin C, very commonly used in the morning.
4. Eye cream: pat gently with your ring finger, don’t pull or tug.
5. Lotion / cream: choose light or rich depending on your skin type.
6. Sunscreen: always the last step, then makeup after that.

Night skincare order (general guide)

1. Remove makeup: if you wore sunscreen or makeup, remove it.
2. Cleanse: wash off leftover makeup remover, plus the day’s sweat, oil and dust.
3. Toner: same as morning.
4. Serum / retinol: night is the right time for ingredients like retinol that should be kept away from light.
5. Eye cream: same as morning.
6. Lotion / cream: at night you can pick a richer one.
7. Facial oil (optional): dry skin can add it, oily skin can skip it.

To learn more about using vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night, read “What is Morning C, Night A? How to choose and use vitamin C and retinol”.

3 common questions

How long should I wait between steps?

No need for a stopwatch. Once the previous layer has mostly absorbed and your face no longer feels wet, you can apply the next one.

If you get pilling (the product rolls into little flakes on your face), it is usually because you used too much or layered too fast. Use less, or wait a bit longer.

Do I have to do every step?

No. More steps is not always better. For many people, getting these three right — cleansing, moisturising and sun protection — already builds a good foundation. Add other products based on your own needs.

Where does facial oil go?

There are two common ways: before lotion and cream, or as the very last step. Just follow the product instructions. Oily skin usually doesn’t need this step, or only a very small amount.

A real example: the full IT’S BEATTIYA morning and night routine

Now that we’ve covered the principle, here is a real example. Below is the full IT’S BEATTIYA morning and night order. You’ll see it follows the same skeleton — “cleanse → toner → serum → eye cream → cream → sunscreen” — just with each step swapped for the matching product number:

A few key points:

• In this routine, the facial oil (purple bottle) goes before the cream. That’s the “follow the product instructions” I mentioned above. The brand’s design is pink bottle → purple bottle → C Powder → eye cream → cream.
• C Powder is a powder, so make sure your hands are completely dry before taking it, and close the lid tightly right after.
• At night, No.5 has fruit acids and No.7 has retinol. While using them, you must wear sunscreen in the day. No.7 contains retinol, so if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, ask your doctor first.
• The final layer of 6A at night is part of the brand’s design, as a moisturising and protective layer. No need to reapply at night.
• If No.5 or No.7 feels dry or uncomfortable, you can add a little more No.9.

Skincare habit 1: stick to one routine so you can see changes

If what you apply and the order change every day, it’s hard to tell where any change in your skin is coming from.

Stick to one order and follow it every day. Only then can you see your skin’s real condition, and know which step needs adjusting. Rather than always chasing new products, first get one simple routine steady.

Skincare habit 2: change only one product at a time

If you change several at once, when your skin gets better or worse, it’s hard to know which bottle caused it.

Many people swap their whole routine at once, then their skin turns red or breaks out, and they don’t know which bottle doesn’t suit them. A better way is:

1. Add only one new product at a time.
2. Do a patch test first: apply a little behind the ear or on the inner arm, and watch for a few days in a row for redness or itching.
3. Give it some time: use it for at least one to two weeks before deciding whether to add the next one.
4. Stop if it feels wrong: if there is obvious redness, swelling or stinging, stop first; if it doesn’t get better, see a dermatologist.

Find the cause first, then decide the next step, instead of changing everything at once.

Final word: get the basics steady first, then add slowly

Skincare order really isn’t hard. Remember “thin to thick, sunscreen last”, plus “change only one at a time”, and you’ll avoid most of the pitfalls.

If you’re in aircond all day and your face feels extra dry, you can also read “In aircond all day and your skin is so dry it peels? What to do”.

FAQ

※ This website is run by Derrick, an independent IT’S BEATTIYA distributor, and is not the official website of the IT’S BEATTIYA company. This article shares general skincare knowledge. Cosmetic results vary from person to person and cannot replace medical advice; if your skin reacts abnormally, stop using the product and consult a dermatologist.