A basic skin care routine for beginners

Your morning routine

1. 1Cleanse gently. Use a mild, nonmedicated face wash with lukewarm water. Massage with your fingertips rather than a washcloth, rinse thoroughly and pat dry without rubbing. For dry skin, a cleanser containing hyaluronic acid can help keep skin hydrated.
2. 2Apply moisturizer. Moisturizer holds water in the skin and limits water loss through evaporation. Use it morning and evening, including when your skin is oily. For acne prone skin, apply moisturizer to clean, slightly damp skin. If you have rosacea, wait until your face is dry to reduce burning or stinging.
3. 3Apply sunscreen last. Choose broad spectrum protection, SPF 30 or higher and water resistance. Apply it to skin not covered by clothing. Use a separate facial sunscreen rather than relying only on SPF in foundation or concealer.

Wear sunscreen every day, including cloudy days. UV rays can pass through clouds and windows. Reapply sunscreen every two hours during the day and especially after swimming or sweating. Outdoors, add shade, a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and protective clothing. Sunscreen belongs in the daytime routine; you do not need to apply it before bed.134

Your evening routine

1. 1Remove makeup if you wear it. A makeup remover, micellar water or balm can remove makeup that a regular cleanser leaves behind. If you use makeup wipes, choose fragrance free ones.
2. 2Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. For the basic routine, one cleanse is enough. Removing makeup first is a separate job, not a reason to keep washing your face until it feels stripped.
3. 3Apply moisturizer. If you use a treatment, its place is generally after cleansing and before moisturizer. Follow the directions for your particular treatment rather than treating every cream as interchangeable.

What should you buy first?

Buy for your skin type and goal, not the largest collection of claims on the box. Price does not tell you how well a product will work, so your bathroom shelf does not need a luxury department. Introduce new products one at a time. For sensitive skin, test a pea sized dot behind your ear along the jawline, then wait a day or two before using it across your face.2

Read the ingredient list on the package you actually buy. Formulas can change, and the package is the place to check the current ingredients. For example, CeraVe's Hydrating Facial Cleanser lists glycerin, ceramides and sodium hyaluronate. Its Acne Control Cleanser instead lists salicylic acid 2% as an active ingredient. A cleanser sold for acne treatment is a different purchase from a basic face wash, even when both bottles come from the same brand.5

Do you need toner, serum or exfoliation?

Toner is optional, which is inconvenient for a product category that would like to be a step. An antioxidant serum is also optional. If you add vitamin C, apply it after cleansing and before moisturizer in the morning. Vitamin C can help reduce dark spots and support sun protection, but it cannot replace sunscreen. Use one serum at a time rather than stacking several.12

Exfoliation is a choice, not a requirement. If you choose to exfoliate, use a safe method that does not damage your skin. Avoid abrasive brushes, salt scrubs and sugar scrubs. Retinol and retinoids, ingredients related to vitamin A, are another treatment option for acne, dark spots or fine lines. Use them at night before moisturizer; they can dry out skin. Neither exfoliation nor retinol needs to be part of your starting routine.16

What changes if you have acne?

Look for an oil free moisturizer labeled noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. Keep regular face washing to morning and evening, with an additional cleanse after exercise. More frequent washing and overusing acne treatments can cause dryness and irritation. Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide cleansers are options for acne prone skin, rather than compulsory beginner products. Avoid picking blemishes. If acne persists, a dermatologist can help identify the type and choose treatment.23

What changes if you have rosacea?

Rosacea often makes skin sensitive and easily irritated. Choose a mild cleanser rather than soap, a cream moisturizer rather than a lotion or gel, and fragrance free products rather than products labeled unscented. Avoid toners, astringents, rubbing, scrubbing and exfoliation. Ingredients to avoid include alcohol, camphor, fragrance, glycolic acid, lactic acid, menthol, sodium lauryl sulfate and urea. If you use rosacea medication, apply it before moisturizer.4

If sunscreen irritates rosacea prone skin, look for a fragrance free mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both. Tinted or micronized mineral sunscreen can help avoid a white cast, particularly on darker skin tones. Sun protection matters throughout the year because sunlight is a common rosacea trigger.4

What should you expect, and when should you stop?

The basic routine keeps skin clean, moisturized and protected from the sun. Treating acne or another specific concern can require additional care. In rosacea, regular use of a suitable moisturizer can improve dryness, peeling, roughness and comfort; improvement has been seen after 15 days. Stop a new product if you develop irritation and arrange a dermatologist appointment. Seek medical advice for unusual skin symptoms. During pregnancy, review the products you use on your skin rather than automatically carrying over every treatment.1246

Can a quiz help you choose a beginner skin care routine?

A quiz can be a starting point for exploring products, especially when it focuses on a concern such as acne. CeraVe offers an acne routine quiz alongside advice on cleansing, moisturizing, treatments and sunscreen. Its product suggestions come from its own range, so the shopping shortlist has already chosen a surname. For persistent acne, use a dermatologist appointment to help identify the acne type and build a treatment routine.3