The order of things
How to layer a routine so every step can do its job. The short version: thinnest to thickest.
By the Fogline team · June 12, 2026 · 5 min read
A good routine is less about how many products you own and more about the order you put them on. A watery serum applied on top of a thick cream mostly sits on the cream. Sunscreen mixed into a moisturizer is no longer the sunscreen on the label.
The rule that covers almost everything: thinnest to thickest. Watery layers first, rich layers last.
The four positions
- Cleanse. Clear away oil, sweat and yesterday's sunscreen so the next steps reach skin.
- Prep and treat. Watery toners and serums go on clean, slightly damp skin.
- Moisturize. A cream seals in the layers underneath and slows water loss.
- Protect or finish. Sunscreen in the morning. An oil or balm at night, if you use one.
Morning and night are different jobs
Mornings are about protection. Keep them short enough to do every day, and never skip sunscreen, even in a Halifax fog.
Evenings are about comfort and repair. This is where richer creams and oils belong, and where you can take a few extra minutes.
Adding something new
Add one new product at a time and give it two weeks before you add another. Patch test anything new first. If your skin is having a bad week, go back to the basics: a gentle wash, a serum with water in it and a moisturizer.
This article is general information about skincare, not medical advice. If you have a skin condition or a reaction that does not settle, please talk to a pharmacist, doctor or dermatologist.
