What do you apply first: cleanser, serum or cream?

In short: work from thin to thick. Cleanse first, then apply the thin serum next, then eye cream, followed by the thicker face cream, and during the day sunscreen as the very last step. This way each layer can still work through the previous one.

The order in short: thin to thick

Step 1: cleansing

Start with clean skin. A mild cleanser such as the AHAVA cleansing gel 100 ml removes dirt and grease without drying out the skin. Massage in for half a minute and rinse off.

Step 2: serum (and vitamin C)

A serum is thin and watery and carries the most active ingredients. Apply a few drops of Shiseido Ultimune serum 30 ml to slightly damp skin and let it absorb for 1 to 2 minutes. Use vitamin C in the morning; save retinol for the evening.

Step 3: eye cream

The skin around the eyes is thin, so the light eye cream goes before the face cream. Dab it on gently with your ring finger.

Step 4: cream and retinol

The face cream seals the layers. A vitamin A cream such as the A313 vitamin A cream 50 g belongs here and is only used in the evening. Build up retinol slowly: you can read how to do that without irritation in our A313 retinol guide.

During the day: sunscreen as the finishing step

Finish the morning with SPF 30 or higher, as the last step before your make-up, and wait about 20 minutes before going outside.

How long should you wait between layers?

For most steps, 1 to 2 minutes is enough. Only after an acid or retinol is it worth waiting a few extra minutes before the cream goes on top.

What's better not to combine?

Don't use retinol and strong acids in the same routine, and don't combine vitamin C and retinol in the same morning. A cleanser, a serum and a cream together already make a complete routine.

What do you do with the order for sensitive skin?

Which step do you skip if you're short on time?

How do you build up retinol safely?