What is the best order to apply skincare products?

Dermatologists at the AAD recommend a simple order: cleanse first, then apply medication or treatment, then moisturizer and/or sunscreen, then makeup if you wear it. That sequence matters because skin care works better when the treatment can reach the skin before heavier layers go on top.

In plain English, go from thinnest and most active to thickest and most protective. If you use a retinoid, acne treatment, or prescription cream, that usually goes before moisturizer unless your dermatologist tells you otherwise. In the morning, sunscreen is the last skin-care step before makeup.

The rule exists because layers can block or dilute what comes after them. If you put a heavy cream on first, your active treatment may not reach the skin the way it should.

When in doubt, keep the routine simple and repeatable rather than trying to build a perfect routine you will not maintain.

The best order is the one that gives your skin the product it needs without making the process annoying.

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