If your skincare routine feels like a puzzle with too many pieces, don’t worry—you’re definitely not alone. Let’s talk about the proper order to apply serums and sunscreen, so your skin actually gets all the goodness you’re giving it.
There’s a method to the madness, and once you’ve got it down, your skin will glow, stay protected, and stop throwing tantrums.
First Things First: Clean, Then Treat
Before you even think about serums, start with a clean face. A gentle cleanser removes oil, sweat, and last night’s regrets. Once your skin is clean, you’ve got a blank canvas ready for your active ingredients to shine.
After cleansing, resist the urge to slap on everything at once. Think of your products like a skincare sandwich—start with the lightest layers first and build up to the thickest.
That means your water-based serums go before oil-based serums or creams. Simple rule: thinnest to thickest. Your skin can only absorb so much at once, so layering correctly means your serums won’t go to waste.
Serum Sequence: Niacinamide, Vitamin C, or Salicylic?
Now the fun part—serums! If you’re using multiple ones, timing and order matter. Let’s talk about how to layer the favorites:
- Vitamin C (AM): This is your brightening, glow-up hero. Apply your vitamin C serum right after cleansing in the morning. It works best when closest to your skin. It also teams up beautifully with sunscreen to fight sun damage like a skincare superhero duo.
- Niacinamide (AM or PM): After vitamin C (or on its own), go for niacinamide. It helps with redness, pores, oil, and hydration. Bonus: it also strengthens your skin barrier so other products play nicer.
- Salicylic Acid (PM): Use your 2% salicylic acid serum at night, especially if you have acne-prone or congested skin. This is your deep-cleaning BFF. Let it sink in before layering anything else on top.
Important tip: Don’t layer all three serums in one go unless your skin has been trained. Start slow—your face is not a science experiment!
Lock It In: Moisturizer Then Sunscreen
Once your serums have settled in (give them a minute or two), it’s time to seal the deal with a moisturizer. This helps lock in the actives and keeps your skin barrier happy.
Now, the grand finale: SPF 50+ PA++++.
No matter what, sunscreen should be the last step in your morning routine. Always. Forever. Period.
Sunscreen works by sitting on top of your skin to block or absorb UV rays. If you put it under a serum or cream, it gets diluted and loses its power. Think of it as your invisible armor against sun damage, spots, and aging.
Even if you’re indoors or it’s cloudy—apply your SPF. UVA rays still sneak in through windows like uninvited party guests.
Wait, What About Makeup?
If you wear makeup, apply it after sunscreen. Foundation, BB cream, or tinted moisturizer should never go before SPF. You don’t want to mess up your protection by putting something heavy underneath it.
A good SPF 50+ PA++++ formula plays well under makeup and won’t make your face look like a glazed donut by noon.
If you reapply SPF during the day (which you should!), look for sunscreen sticks, powders, or sprays that won’t ruin your look.
Recap Time: The Skincare Lineup You Need
Let’s put it all together for your morning routine:
- Cleanser
- Vitamin C Serum (or Niacinamide)
- Niacinamide Serum (if using both)
- Moisturizer
- SPF 50+ PA++++
- Makeup (optional)
At night, switch Vitamin C for salicylic acid if you’re using it, and skip the sunscreen. Your skin deserves to rest too.
