A Simple Face Serum Routine: What Order to Apply Your Products

Serums are where a skincare routine does much of its work. But if you use more than one, the order matters. Applying products in the right sequence helps each one go on smoothly and keeps your routine simple.

The basic rule: thinnest to thickest

Apply products from the most watery and lightweight to the richest and thickest. Lightweight serums go on clean skin first, followed by creams, and sunscreen goes on last in the morning.

Morning routine

1. Cleanse: Use a gentle cleanser and pat skin dry.
2. Brightening serum: Apply a few drops of a serum like our PDRN Brightening Face Serum with Peptides & Hyaluronic Acid.
3. Eye cream: Gently tap a small amount of Peptide Eye Gel-Cream around the orbital bone with your ring finger.
4. Moisturizer: Lock in hydration.
5. Sunscreen: Finish with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. This is the most important step of any morning routine.

Night routine

1. Cleanse: Remove sunscreen, makeup, and the day's buildup.
2. Hydrating serum: Apply a hydrating serum like our Snail Mucin Face Serum with Hyaluronic Acid & Cica.
3. Retinol serum: Apply a pea-sized amount of Retinol & Peptide Night Face Serum to dry skin.
4. Eye cream: Apply around, but not on, the eyelid.
5. Moisturizer: Seal everything in.

Tips for using retinol

• Start slow: Use it 2 to 3 nights a week at first, then increase as your skin adjusts.
• Expect an adjustment period: Mild dryness or flaking can happen in the first few weeks.
• Use it at night only and wear sunscreen every morning, since retinol can make skin more sensitive to the sun.
• Skip it if you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.

For more, read Retinol + Peptides: A Skincare Guide.

How many serums should you use?

You don't need a serum for every concern. One or two per routine is plenty for most people. Adding too many products at once makes it hard to tell what's working and raises the chance of irritation.

Always patch test

Before adding a new product, apply a small amount to your inner arm or behind your ear for a few days. If you notice redness, itching, or irritation, don't use it on your face.

Learn more about these ingredients

• PDRN in Skincare: What It Is & How It's Used
• Snail Mucin Skincare: What It Is & How to Use It
• Peptide Eye Creams: Dark Circles & Puffiness Care

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Individual results vary. This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a dermatologist if you have a skin condition or concerns about a product.