Night is a great time to give your skin a little extra support, but applying products in a random order can reduce their effectiveness or cause pilling. A simple rule helps: thin to thick.
After cleansing, start with the lightest, water-based products. If you use a toner or essence, that goes first. Next, apply your serums – for example, hydrating serums or treatment serums like those with gentle actives. Give each layer a moment to settle before adding the next.
Then comes moisturiser. This seals in the lighter layers and provides comfort so your skin doesn’t feel tight. If you like using a face oil, it usually goes last or mixed into your cream, especially for dry skin. Oils act as an extra seal, keeping moisture from escaping overnight.
You don’t need every step every night. Some evenings, cleanser + moisturiser is enough. On others, you might add a serum if your skin is feeling dull or dehydrated. Overloading with too many new products at once can confuse your skin and make it harder to see what’s actually working.
Most importantly, listen to how your skin feels the next morning. If you wake up greasy and congested, you may be using too much heavy stuff. If you’re tight and flaky, you might need an extra hydrating layer. Your routine should adapt over time, not stay frozen.