After cleansing come the leave-on products. If you use a hydrating toner or serum, you usually apply it before your moisturizer. In the morning, finish with sunscreen, followed by makeup if you wear it. You don’t need sunscreen in the evening. For a routine with just a few products, the order is simple: cleanse, moisturize and, during the day, protect.

With several layers, it often helps to go from thinnest to thickest. That doesn’t apply to every product, though: the directions on the pack come first, especially for exfoliants or retinol. You don’t need to add an extra step just because it appears in a longer routine. Put the products you already have in order – it makes the next morning easier. You’ll find a clear explanation in our guide to morning and evening skincare.