The Correct Order to Apply Skincare (Morning and Night)

In short: Apply skincare from thinnest to thickest texture, water-based before oil-based, and finish with SPF in the morning. Order: cleanse, water-based serums, eye cream, moisturiser and face oil, then (AM only) sunscreen last. Where the oil goes — before or after your cream — is a matter of preference, and both work.

The one rule: thinnest to thickest

Skincare layering follows a single principle — apply products from the lightest, most watery texture to the richest. Lighter formulas need direct contact with skin to absorb; heavier creams and oils sit on top. Water-based products always go before oil-based ones. The one genuinely flexible step is your face oil, which can sit either just before or just after your moisturiser (more on that below).

The correct morning order

1. Cleanser — start with a clean base. Our Exfoliating Cleansing Mousse removes overnight sebum without stripping the barrier.
2. Water-based serum — antioxidants like vitamin C go here, on bare skin, where they absorb best.
3. Eye cream — a small amount around the orbital bone. Our Illuminate Advanced Eye Cream layers cleanly under moisturiser.
4. Moisturiser + face oil — your two nourishing layers. Apply them in whichever order suits you (see below).
5. SPF — always last — sunscreen must sit on top of everything to work as a protective film. Nothing goes over it.

The correct evening order

1. Cleanser — double cleanse if you wore makeup or SPF, to fully remove the day.
2. Treatment serum — retinol, bakuchiol, or exfoliating acids belong at night.
3. Eye cream
4. Moisturiser + face oil — the richest steps, applied in the order you prefer. A few drops of our Radiance Face Oil finish the routine and lock in moisture overnight.

Face oil: before or after your moisturiser?

There are two valid approaches, and both are correct — it comes down to your skin and your habits.

• Oil after moisturiser — the classic approach. Because oil is the most occlusive step, applying it last creates a rich sealing layer that locks everything in. Best for very dry skin or cold weather.
• Oil before moisturiser — a few drops used almost like a serum, a hydration-sealing "cap" under your cream. It feels lighter, absorbs into the routine rather than sitting on top, and sits better under makeup. Great if you find a top layer of oil too heavy or you apply foundation afterwards.

The main thing to avoid is putting oil under a water-based serum, since the oil would block it. Around your cream, trust your own preference. We go deeper into the trade-offs in how to layer a face oil and a moisturiser.

How long to wait between steps

You don't need to wait long — around 30 seconds to a minute between layers lets each product settle so the next one glides on evenly. The one exception is prescription retinoids or high-strength acids, where a short wait can reduce irritation.

Common layering mistakes

• Applying SPF before moisturiser (SPF must be last in the morning).
• Putting oil under a water-based serum.
• Using too many active serums at once — layer conflicting actives on alternate nights instead.

If you'd like a ready-made sequence, The French Ritual Set is built to layer in the order above.

FAQ

Do I apply serum before or after moisturiser?
Serum goes before moisturiser. Serums are lighter and treat the skin; moisturiser seals them in.

Does the oil go before or after my cream?
Either works. After the cream gives a richer seal; before the cream feels lighter and sits better under makeup. Both are correct — choose what your skin prefers.

Where does sunscreen go?
Sunscreen is always the last step of your morning routine, over all skincare. Reapply through the day as needed.