Day cream before primer and foundation, or foundation first? Serum at the start? Celebrity dermatologist Harold Lancer, who treats Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian, shares the definitive sequence for maximum results.
Dr. Lancer, with A-list clients like Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian, stresses personalized routines. "Every skin needs specific care, so create your own 'skin cocktail.' But apply products in the right order for the best outcomes," he explains in Glamour magazine.
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Lancer's principle: Go from thinnest to thickest textures. Thinner formulas absorb better first. Applying serum over a heavy cream, for example, reduces its effectiveness.
Sunscreen is the outlier—always last, even after makeup.
Steer clear of retinol (vitamin A) with acids like glycolic or lactic, which can irritate skin. Also avoid retinol paired with benzoyl peroxide, common in acne products.
