The right order for your nighttime skincare routine

You can own the best products in the world and still get so-so results if you're layering them in the wrong order. Here's the sequence most dermatologists recommend.

The order

1. Take it all off. A cleansing balm or oil to melt makeup and sunscreen.
2. Cleanse. A gentle face wash to clean your actual skin.
3. Treat. Your active, like a retinoid or exfoliating acid, if you use one. Not every night, and not together unless your dermatologist says so.
4. Hydrate. A serum or essence.
5. Moisturize.
6. Seal. A richer balm on dry spots, if you need it.

Timing matters

Give each layer a minute, and try to finish 20 to 30 minutes before bed so everything sinks in rather than ending up on your pillowcase.

Three steps every night will always beat ten steps twice a week.

On our nightstandThe Evevior silk pillowcaseOrganic 6A mulberry silk, 22 momme, in four colors named for Barbados.Take a look

Step seven, technically

After all that work, the surface you sleep on matters. Silk absorbs far less than cotton, so more of what you just applied stays on your skin.