# What order should a simple skin routine follow? | Retinol Routine

Source: https://retinolroutine.com/simple-skin-routine-order.html

Reviewed September 17, 2026


Use cleanser, treatment, moisturizer, then sunscreen in the morning. At night, skip sunscreen and add only one new active at a time.

## A careful way to test this

Keep the rest of the routine stable, follow current labels, and change one variable at a time. Stop if discomfort is persistent or severe.

## What the label can tell you

Check ingredients, directions, warnings, and intended use. Formula and claims can change, so the current package is the source of truth.

## Sources

* [American Academy of Dermatology everyday care](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care)
* [FDA cosmetics labeling guide](https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-labeling-claims/cosmetics-labeling-guide)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the correct order for a simple skincare routine?

Cleanser first, then any treatment or serum, then moisturizer, and sunscreen last in the morning. The working rule is thinnest to thickest: watery products absorb best on clean skin, and creams seal everything in. At night the same order applies, ending with moisturizer instead of sunscreen.

### Should treatments go on before or after moisturizer?

Before, in a standard routine, so the active ingredients contact the skin without a cream layer in the way. The exception is buffering a strong retinoid for sensitive skin, where a first layer of moisturizer is used on purpose to slow absorption and cut irritation while tolerance builds.

### Why does sunscreen always go last in the morning?

Sunscreen works as a film, and anything applied over it can disturb that film and dilute protection unevenly. It should be the final step, in the full recommended amount, after moisturizer has had a minute to set. Makeup goes over sunscreen once it has dried down, not under it.