Apply skincare from thinnest to thickest. In the morning: cleanser → serum → eye product → moisturizer → sunscreen. In the evening: cleanser → treatment serum (such as retinol) → eye product → moisturizer. Sunscreen is always the last skincare step in the morning. A product’s own directions override the general rule.
The morning routine
- Cleanser or a rinse with lukewarm water.
- Toner or essence, if you use one (optional).
- Serum, such as vitamin C.
- Eye product, along the orbital bone (optional).
- Moisturizer.
- Sunscreen, broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher.
- Makeup, if you wear it. Skincare before makeup.
The evening routine
- Cleanser. A first oil cleanse if you wore heavy sunscreen or makeup. Do you need to double cleanse?
- Treatment serum, such as retinol, on clean, dry skin on your chosen nights.
- Eye product (optional).
- Moisturizer.
Why thinnest to thickest
Watery layers spread best on bare skin. Richer creams on top soften the surface and help hold water. Put a thin serum on top of a heavy cream and much of it just sits on the cream. Serum or moisturizer?
The exceptions
- Sunscreen goes last in the morning, even if it is thinner than your moisturizer, so it forms an even layer.
- Some retinol labels suggest applying moisturizer first to buffer it. Follow your product’s directions.
- Spot treatments and prescription products have their own instructions. Follow them or ask your prescriber.
- Product codes aren’t order. Our 001 cream goes last, not first.
How long to wait between steps
Only until the previous layer no longer feels wet, unless a label says otherwise. Retinol should go on fully dry skin. How long to wait.
How many products you actually need
Cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen is a complete routine. Serums and eye products are optional additions. When your routine is enough.
The Ozera order
Morning: your cleanser → 004 Vitamin C Serum → 002 Peptide Eye Gel → 001 Copper Peptide Cream → your sunscreen.
Retinol evenings: your cleanser → 003 Retinol Night Serum → 002 → 001.
Other evenings: your cleanser → 002 → 001.
Common mistakes
- Using two serums with overlapping actives in one sitting.
- Skipping sunscreen because a moisturizer “has enough.” Only products labeled with SPF provide sun protection.
- Applying retinol to damp skin straight after washing.
- Starting several new products at once. One at a time.
Further reading: American Academy of Dermatology: Face washing 101 · American Academy of Dermatology: How to apply sunscreen · American Academy of Dermatology: Retinoid or retinol?
On the nights you use Retinol Night Serum, it takes the morning serum’s place. Apply it to clean, dry skin and follow with eye gel and cream. See the full routine.
Photography: Andrea Davis / Unsplash. Editorial photograph.