The order of your skin care routine matters more than most people think. The basic rule: thinnest to thickest, with treatments closest to the skin and sunscreen always last in the morning.
Morning skincare routine order
- Cleanse with something gentle (or just water if your skin is dry).
- Toner or essence (optional).
- Serum. A vitamin C or peptide serum. If you use both, vitamin C in the morning and a copper peptide serum at night is the simplest split.
- Eye cream (optional).
- Moisturizer.
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, every day.
Evening skincare routine order
- Cleanse. Double cleanse if you wear sunscreen or makeup.
- Toner or essence (optional).
- Treatment serum. Peptides, retinol or an exfoliating acid. Retinol and strong acids are best on different nights.
- Mask (optional, 1–3 times a week): a hydrogel mask for 20–30 minutes.
- Moisturizer or night cream.
- Face oil (optional, always last).
When to use a peptide serum
A peptide serum goes after cleansing and before moisturizer, morning and evening unless your product says otherwise. Use a few drops (our serums use 5–6) over the face, neck and décolleté, and let it absorb for about a minute before the next step.
- With vitamin C: vitamin C in the morning, copper peptides at night.
- With retinol: both can sit in the same evening routine; alternate nights if your skin is sensitive.
- With exfoliating acids: different evenings.
More detail in pairing peptides with vitamin C and niacinamide and peptides vs. retinol.
Where does a face mask go in your routine?
A hydrogel mask goes after serum and before moisturizer. Cleanse, apply your serum, then smooth on the mask, avoiding the eyes and lips. After 20–30 minutes, remove it, tap in the remaining essence, and follow with moisturizer. A mask is an extra step, not a replacement for moisturizer.
Routines for your 30s and 40s
The order above works at any age. What changes is the emphasis: in your 30s, building consistent habits; in your 40s, more hydration and richer textures. We cover each in detail in skincare routine for your 30s and skincare routine for your 40s.
Two SPY routines
- The Daily Duo: Advanced Multi-Peptide Serum morning and evening, plus the Bio Collagen Hydrogel Mask before plans.
- The Concentrated Duo: GLO Skin Serum ULTRA morning and evening, plus the Bio Peptide Recovery Mask on evenings skin feels dry or tight.
Either pairing is 20% off. Build your own bundle ↗︎
Quick answers
What is the correct order for skincare?
Cleanse, toner (optional), serum, eye cream (optional), moisturizer, then sunscreen in the morning. In the evening, swap sunscreen for an optional face oil.
Does serum go before or after moisturizer?
Before. Serums are thinner and go on clean skin, then moisturizer seals them in.
When should I use a peptide serum?
After cleansing and before moisturizer, morning and evening unless your product directs otherwise.
Where does a face mask go in my routine?
After serum and before moisturizer. Leave a hydrogel mask on for 20–30 minutes, then tap in the remaining essence.
How long should I wait between skincare steps?
About a minute, or until each layer has absorbed, is enough for most products.