Skincare goes on before makeup. The morning order is: cleanser → serum → eye product → moisturizer → sunscreen → primer (optional) → makeup. Sunscreen is the last skincare step. Give each layer a short moment to settle, and use modest amounts, so makeup sits smoothly instead of pilling.
The full order, step by step
- Cleanse or rinse, then pat dry.
- Serum, if you use one. A few drops, pressed in.
- Eye product, if you use one, along the orbital bone.
- Moisturizer. A thin, even layer.
- Sunscreen. A generous amount of broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher on face, neck and ears.
- Primer, if you use one.
- Foundation, concealer and the rest.
The general rule for skincare is thinnest to thickest, with sunscreen last so it forms an even layer on top. The order to apply skincare in.
What about makeup with SPF?
SPF in foundation or powder is a bonus, not a replacement. To get the protection on the label, you would need to apply far more foundation than most people use. Wear a dedicated sunscreen underneath. How to choose a sunscreen.
How long to wait
You don’t need a long break between steps, but a little time helps:
- Between skincare layers: until the previous one no longer feels wet.
- Before makeup: a few minutes after sunscreen, so it can set. Follow any specific timing on your sunscreen’s label.
More on waiting between steps.
Stopping the pilling
Pilling is when products roll into small flakes as you apply the next layer. Common fixes:
- Use less. Excess product is the most common cause.
- Wait a little longer between layers.
- Press, don’t rub, especially sunscreen and foundation.
- Check the textures you’re combining. Some combinations of thickeners and film-formers just don’t layer well together. Swap one product.
- Skip optional layers on makeup days.
Choosing a moisturizer for under makeup
- A texture that settles fully, not one that stays slippery.
- A modest amount. A dime-sized amount is usually plenty for the face.
- If your skin gets shiny by midday, a lighter lotion or gel-cream may suit you better. Why texture matters.
Evening: take it all off
Makeup and water-resistant sunscreen can be stubborn. An oil cleanser or micellar water first, then your usual cleanser, is one option on heavy-makeup days. Do you need to double cleanse?
Active products and makeup
Retinol belongs in your evening routine, not under makeup. In the morning, keep things simple: serum, moisturizer, sunscreen. If a morning serum stings under makeup, pause it and reintroduce it slowly.
Further reading: American Academy of Dermatology: How to apply sunscreen · American Academy of Dermatology: Face washing 101
Our morning order under makeup: 004 Vitamin C Serum → 002 Peptide Eye Gel → 001 Copper Peptide Cream → your sunscreen → makeup.
Photography: Noah Blaine Clark / Unsplash. Editorial photograph.