How to Layer RoC Skincare in the Right Order

If you bought multiple RoC products and are wondering, “what order do I use these?” the quickest answer is: 

Morning
1. Cleanser
2. Eye Cream
3. Serum
4. SPF Moisturizer

Night
1. Cleanser
2. Eye Cream
3. Serum
4. Moisturizer 

If you are adding a targeted product, it should go after your eye cream, however the exact placement depends on which area of the face the product is designed to target.

This order helps your products care for the delicate under eye area, lock in moisture, support your skin barrier, and makes it easier to build a routine that delivers visible results without overdoing it. If you ever want product-specific guidance, check the routine layering section at the bottom of each RoC product page.

Your Ideal Morning Routine Order

Your AM routine should focus on cleansing, targeting your daily skin goals, and should always include sun protection.

• 1. Cleanser: Start with clean skin. Good options include Revive + Glow Gel Cleanser, DERM CORREXION® Serum Cleanser, Barrier Renew® Gel-To-Foam Cleanser, or Line Smoothing Daily Cleansing Pads.

• 2. Eye Cream: Apply eye cream next. Try Hydration+ Eye Cream, DERM CORREXION® Eye Repair Dark Circle Cream, Revive + Glow Eye Balm.
  TIP: If you use an eye cream, utilize your ring finger to apply the product for a gentle delivery. 

• 3. Targeted Serum: After eye cream, apply your face serum or targeted treatment. Depending on your goal, that could be Hydration+ Serum Stick, Revive + Glow Daily Serum, or Hydration+ Serum.  

• 4. SPF Moisturizer: Follow with a SPF moisturizer to help seal in hydration, protect your skin from UV rays, and support the skin barrier. SPF should be applied every 2 hours to maintain continued protection. Options include Hydration+ Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 or Even Tone Face, Neck, & Chest Cream SPF 30.

Your Ideal Nighttime Routine Order

Your PM routine is where many people use RoC retinol products to target fine lines, deep wrinkles, texture, and firmness.

• 1. Cleanser: Wash away sunscreen, makeup, and daily buildup with a cleanser such as Barrier Renew® Gel-To-Foam Cleanser, Line Smoothing Daily Cleansing Pads, or DERM CORREXION® Serum Cleanser.

• 2. Eye Cream: Apply eye cream before the rest of your steps to support or target the delicate skin under your eyes. Nighttime options may include RETINOL CORREXION® Line Smoothing Eye Cream or DERM CORREXION® Dual Eye Cream.

• 3. Serum or treatment: This is usually where retinol fits. Examples include RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Serum, DERM CORREXION® Firming Serum Stick, RETINOL CORREXION® Line Smoothing 2-Step Peel Pads, or RETINOL CORREXION® Line Smoothing Night Serum Capsules.

• 4. Moisturizer: Yes, you should always apply moisturizer after retinol, or cleansing in general. This helps support comfort, hydration and your skin barrier. Great pairings include Hydration+ Moisturizer, RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Rich Cream, Advanced Hydration+ Water Cream or RETINOL CORREXION® Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream.

If you are new to retinol products, stick with one retinol product at a time to build up your skin’s tolerance to it. Please see our Retinol Guide for more guidance on how to build up retinol usage in your routine.

Where Targeted Products Fit In

A common question is where to place treatment products when you already have a cleanser, eye cream, serum, and moisturizer. The rule is simple: follow the direction at the bottom of the product page or on the box. For example, the RETINOL CORREXION® Line Smoothing 2-Step Peel Pads should be used after an eye cream and before your serum and moisturizer. However, RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Targeted Patches can be applied after your serum.

One product that can be applied at any point in the day and in any spot of your routine is the DERM CORREXION® Lip Volumizer. This product can be applied throughout the day whenever your lips feel a little dry or when you want visibly plumped lips in minutes.

For neck and chest care in the morning, Even Tone Chest, Neck & Face Cream SPF 30 fits into the last AM step because it includes sun protection.

How to Combine Retinol, Vitamin C, Hydration, and Exfoliation

One of the biggest layering mistakes is using too many strong active ingredients at the same time. The most important RoC rule here is: we do not recommend using Vitamin C and retinol together in the same nighttime or morning routine. If you want both in your regimen, we recommend applying Vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.

If you are new to retinol, start slowly. Use your retinol product two or three nights per week at first, then build up as your skin adjusts. See our Retinol Guide for more detailed instructions. Pairing retinol with a supportive moisturizer like Hydration+ Moisturizer or Barrier Renew® PM Moisturizer can help maintain your skin’s barrier.

If you are also using exfoliating products such as RETINOL CORREXION® Line Smoothing 2-Step Peel Pads, it is usually best to use these products once or twice a week. If you are new to retinol, we recommend skipping your other retinol products when using. We always recommend patch testing the Peel Pads before use to understand how your skin responds. We also recommend always applying an eye cream before use to care for the more delicate skin under your eyes.

Simple Sample Routines

AM example:
Barrier Renew® Gel-To-Foam Cleanser → Revive + Glow Eye Balm → Hydration+ Serum Stick → Hydration+ Moisturizer SPF 30

PM example for a retinol beginner:
Barrier Renew® Gel-To-Foam Cleanser → RETINOL CORREXION® Line Smoothing Eye Cream → RETINOL CORREXION® Line Smoothing Night Serum Capsules → Hydration+ Moisturizer 

PM example for dry skin:
BARRIER RENEW® Gel-To-Foam Cleanser → HYDRATION+Eye Cream → Hydration+ Serum Stick → HYDRATION+ Moisturizer  

Quick Answers To Common Layering Questions

Do I put moisturizer after retinol?
Yes. When you apply a retinol eye cream or serum, you should always finish with a moisturizer.

Can sunscreen go on top of my RoC products?
Yes. SPF is the final step in your morning routine.

What if I bought several RoC products at once?
Keep the main order the same: cleanser, eye cream, serum or treatment, SPF moisturizer in the morning and cleanser, eye cream, serum or treatment, and moisturizer at night.

How do I know exactly where one product goes?
Check the routine layering section at the bottom of the product detail page or on the product box for the most product-specific answer.

The Bottom Line

When in doubt, keep your routine simple and consistent. For most RoC routines, the correct order is Cleanser, Eye Cream, Serum, and SPF Moisturizer in the AM, and the same order without SPF at night. Add targeted products after eye cream, separate vitamin C and retinol into different routines, and use the routine layering section on each PDP for extra guidance. A clear order makes it easier to get the most out of your RoC skincare without unnecessary confusion.