Skincare routine order: what goes on first (and what not to mix)

Skincare & beauty ·Published 10 October 2026 ·Reviewed 10 October 2026

Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.

General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.

Cleanse first, then layer your products from thinnest to thickest: watery serums before creams, with rich balms or oils last. In the morning, sunscreen is the step that matters most, and Cancer Council’s advice is to apply it on clean, dry skin before your moisturiser and makeup. At night, use one strong active at a time, so retinol and exfoliating acids go on different nights.

Below is a simple order for morning and night, where the popular ingredients fit, and a lighter routine for humid Gold Coast summers.

What’s the right skincare order in the morning?

1. Cleanse. Use a gentle, soap-free, pH-balanced face wash, or just rinse with water if your skin is dry.
2. Serum (optional). If you use a vitamin C or niacinamide serum, apply it now and let it soak in and dry completely.
3. Sunscreen. Apply an SPF50 or SPF50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen to clean, dry skin, 20 minutes before you go outside.
4. Moisturiser (optional). If your skin needs it, apply it once your sunscreen has settled. On humid days, a hydrating sunscreen may be all the moisture you need.
5. Makeup.

Where does sunscreen go?

You’ll see plenty of routines online that put sunscreen last, over moisturiser. Cancer Council’s advice is that it’s best to apply your sunscreen first, on dry, clean skin, and to use a sunscreen rather than relying on a moisturiser that contains SPF. If you’d like sunscreen to be the very first layer, move your serum to your night routine.

A few more Cancer Council points worth knowing:

• SPFs don’t add up. An SPF20 moisturiser under an SPF10 foundation protects you to SPF20, the level of the highest product, not SPF30.
• On mostly indoor days, a cosmetic with SPF30 is adequate to protect from sunburn, but like sunscreen it only lasts about two hours.
• For time outdoors, reapply your sunscreen every two hours, and after swimming, sweating or towelling.

What’s the right skincare order at night?

1. Take off sunscreen and makeup. On heavy makeup days, a micellar water or cleansing balm first makes this easier.
2. Cleanse. healthdirect suggests washing your face with warm water twice a day using a gentle, soap-free, pH-balanced wash, and warns that washing too often can make acne worse.
3. Serums and treatments, thinnest first. This is where retinol, exfoliating acids, niacinamide or a hydrating serum go. Use only one strong active per night (see below).
4. Moisturiser. Creams go on last, followed by a balm or facial oil if you use one.

Why do thinner products go first?

It’s a rule of thumb rather than a strict science. Light, watery products spread easily on bare skin, while richer creams and oils are heavier and best saved for the end. Give each layer a minute to sink in before the next. If products start to pill (roll into little balls), try using less or waiting a little longer between layers.

Can you use niacinamide and vitamin C together?

It’s a common question. You may have read that they shouldn’t be used together. If your skin is happy with both, there’s no need to choose. DermNet describes topical niacinamide as well tolerated, and notes it can often be used by people who can’t tolerate retinoids or fruit acids.

If the combination stings or makes you flush, split them up: vitamin C in the morning and niacinamide at night, or use them on alternate days. As with any new product, introduce one at a time so you know which one your skin is reacting to.

What shouldn’t you mix on the same night?

• Retinol and exfoliating acids. DermNet notes that alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic and lactic acid, can be alternated with retinoid creams and vitamin C, so use them on different nights rather than layering them. For salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), DermNet advises against combining it with other medicated treatments, such as topical retinoids or benzoyl peroxide, unless a doctor directs.
• Two exfoliants at once. An acid toner plus a scrub, or an AHA plus a BHA, adds up quickly. DermNet’s salicylic acid advice includes avoiding abrasive cleansers and products designed to peel or exfoliate.
• Several new products at once. If something reacts, you won’t know which one it was.

A sample week once your skin is used to retinol (start with fewer nights if you’re new to it):

Our guide to retinol for beginners explains how to build up slowly.

How to patch test a new product

Cancer Council suggests a patch test before using a new sunscreen if you have sensitive skin, and it’s a good habit with any new skincare product.

1. Apply a small amount to the same spot, such as your inner forearm, once or twice a day for several days.
2. Check for redness, itching, bumps or swelling.
3. For a face product, try a small area along your jawline next.
4. Add one new product at a time, a week or two apart.

A patch test won’t catch every reaction, so stop using a product if your face reacts later.

What’s a simple routine for a humid Gold Coast summer?

When it’s hot and sticky, fewer and lighter layers usually feel better.

Morning: a gentle cleanse, a light serum if you like, then an SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen in a gel or dry-touch texture, and oil-free makeup if you wear it. healthdirect suggests avoiding oil-based makeup and greasy sunscreen if you’re prone to breakouts.

Night: cleanse well to remove sunscreen, sweat and makeup, use your active only on its planned nights, and finish with a light lotion or gel-cream.

For more summer tweaks, see our guide to skincare for humid weather. If you’re still choosing a sunscreen, our comparison of mineral vs chemical sunscreen can help.

How can our team help?

Our beauty advisors can help you put a routine together that suits your skin type, your budget and the Gold Coast climate, and check the order of what you already use. Find out more about our skincare advice in store at Pacific Fair. Our pharmacists can help if you use acne treatments or prescription creams, or if your skin reacts to a product.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

• Burning, stinging or redness doesn’t settle after you stop a product.
• You develop a rash, swelling or blisters.
• Acne, eczema or rosacea isn’t improving, or is getting worse.
• You’re pregnant or breastfeeding and want to use actives such as retinol or salicylic acid. DermNet advises telling your doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding before using salicylic acid, as it can be absorbed through the skin.
• You notice a spot or mole that is new, changing or looks different. Our in-store Help Medical GPs are one option.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.