Serum comes before retinol in a skincare routine.
Here's a breakdown explaining the correct order and why:
Skincare Layering: Serum First, Retinol Second
The order in which you apply your skincare products significantly impacts their effectiveness. Applying products in the wrong order can prevent proper absorption and diminish the desired results.
Why Serum Before Retinol?
- Consistency: Serums are typically lightweight and designed to deliver active ingredients deep into the skin.
- Absorption: Applying serum first allows it to penetrate the skin effectively.
- Occlusive Nature of Retinol: Retinol products, especially creams, are often thicker and more occlusive. This means they create a barrier on the skin.
- Trapping Serum Benefits: According to existing knowledge, using retinol after serum helps to trap the serum's active ingredients, maximizing their benefit. As highlighted in the reference, "By applying the retinol cream after the serum, you ensure that the active ingredients in the serum have already penetrated the skin."
Recommended Skincare Routine Order (Simplified)
While a full skincare routine might include several steps, here's the relevant order for serum and retinol:
- Cleanser
- Toner (optional)
- Serum
- Retinol
- Moisturizer (if needed)
