Reviewed by Alicia Castro wellness specialistPublished on 5 October 2026
How to hydrate your skin properly
Hydrating your skin well at home takes two routines. In the morning: cleansing with a cleansing milk, toner, a serum chosen for what your skin needs, moisturizer and sunscreen.
Well-hydrated skin shows in its texture, its glow and the way it responds to changes in temperature. It does not depend on a single product, but on following a routine that makes sense in the morning and at night. Eva, a specialist in the wellness area at Instituto de Benito, explains how to do it at home.
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The morning routine, step by step
In the morning, the aim is to leave the skin clean, give it what it needs and protect it for the rest of the day. The order matters, because each product prepares the skin for the next.
Cleansing. A cleansing milk removes the residue from the night and excess oil without drying the skin.
- Toner. It finishes the cleansing and balances the skin before you apply your treatments.
- Serum. This is the step that most needs to be personalized. There are serums designed for firmness, for hydration or for nourishment, and it is worth choosing the one that suits your skin type and what concerns you right now.
- Moisturizer. It provides what the serum does not and helps the skin hold on to water during the day.
- Sun protection. It is the last step and should never be skipped, not even in winter or on cloudy days.
“It is essential to apply a serum that suits your skin and, above all, to always use sun protection,” Eva sums up.
The night routine: time to regenerate
During the night the skin does not have to defend itself from the sun or pollution, and it devotes more resources to repairing itself. That is why the night routine has a different focus: cleansing well and applying products that support that regeneration.
After cleansing, Eva recommends always finishing with a cream that regenerates the skin overnight. It is the basic step, whether or not there are other active ingredients in the routine.
Why winter is a good time for retinol and acids
With the arrival of winter, sun exposure drops, and that makes it possible to introduce active ingredients that make the skin more sensitive to the sun. The two that Eva mentions are:
- Retinol: a vitamin A derivative widely used in anti-aging routines. It promotes skin renewal and improves texture with continued use.
- Glycolic acid: a chemical exfoliant that removes dead cells and leaves the skin more even and luminous.
The key is to start gradually. At first it is better to apply them two or three nights a week and not to use both on the same night, to give the skin time to get used to them. If redness, tightness or flaking appears, space out the applications. And since both increase sensitivity to the sun, the next morning’s sunscreen becomes even more important.
Retinol is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If in any doubt, it is best to check with a professional first.
Common mistakes when hydrating your skin
- Using the same cream all year round without taking into account that in winter the skin usually needs more nourishment.
- Skipping the serum, or choosing it without knowing what your skin needs.
- Saving sunscreen for the summer.
- Introducing several new active ingredients at once, so that if the skin reacts, you cannot tell which one caused it.
Frequently asked questions
Which goes first, serum or moisturizer?
Serum goes first. It has a lighter, more concentrated texture, and the moisturizer is applied afterward to complete the hydration and seal it in.
Do you need to wear sunscreen in winter?
Yes. Ultraviolet radiation is still present even when it is cold or cloudy, and if you use retinol or acids, protection is even more necessary.
Can I use retinol and glycolic acid together?
They can be part of the same routine, but the sensible approach is to alternate them on different nights, especially at first, to avoid irritation.