Face care essentials for a daily routine

What should I do in the morning?

1. 1Cleanse gently. Use lukewarm water and gently massage a mild cleanser over your face. Pat dry with a towel rather than rubbing. For dry or sensitive skin, cleansing only in the evening can be enough.
2. 2Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp. Moisturizer traps water in the skin, so do not wait until your face is completely dry. Oily skin needs moisturizer too.
3. 3Apply sunscreen to skin not covered by clothing. Choose broad spectrum protection with SPF 30 or higher. A moisturizer with sunscreen can combine these steps if it meets those requirements.

What makes sunscreen a daily essential?

Sun protection helps prevent wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer. Use sunscreen throughout the year, including winter and cloudy days. Reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating, and use shade and protective clothing alongside sunscreen. Water resistant sunscreen is a useful choice for the daily routine.23

For prolonged outdoor activities such as the beach or golf, choose SPF 50 or higher. Do not assume the SPF in makeup gives you enough protection; a separate facial sunscreen is the straightforward option. Check the expiration date, because expired sunscreen loses its protective properties. UVA rays can also reach your skin while you drive or sit near a window.15

What should I do before bed?

1. 1Remove makeup if you wear it. A makeup remover such as micellar water or a balm can help because a cleanser does not always remove everything. If you choose makeup removing wipes, use fragrance free ones.
2. 2Wash with a gentle cleanser. Evening cleansing removes the day's dirt, oil and debris before you apply skincare. Avoid scrubbing and cleansers containing microbeads, which can cause irritation and inflammation.
3. 3Pat dry and apply moisturizer suited to your skin. Keep the application gentle, and use the same basic cleansing and moisturizing routine consistently.

Limit routine face washing to twice a day, with an additional wash after sweating. Frequent washing can irritate skin and worsen acne symptoms. After sport, wash or shower as soon as possible because sweat can irritate the skin. More washing is not a treatment for acne: acne is not caused by dirty skin.356

How do I choose products for my skin?

Noncomedogenic means a product is designed not to block pores. Look for that wording on skincare and makeup if clogged pores are a concern. Fragrance free products are a better starting point for sensitive skin because added scents can trigger irritation or allergic reactions. An expensive cleanser is not automatically more useful, even if the packaging looks ready for its own display cabinet.236

Do I need toner, serum or exfoliation?

Toner is optional. It can pick up residual makeup or dirt after cleansing, but alcohol based toners can strip natural oils and cause dryness or irritation. An antioxidant serum or cream is also optional; vitamin C can help protect against damaging molecules called free radicals. Optional products remain optional, despite the impressive amount of shelf space devoted to them.4

Exfoliation is not part of the basic cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen routine. If you want an exfoliating product, glycolic acid is one option rather than an abrasive cleanser with microbeads. Choose additions for a specific goal instead of adding every category at once. Price and the word "natural" are not reliable shortcuts for choosing a product your skin will tolerate.14

What changes for tweens and teens?

Tweens should start with gentle cleansing, fragrance free moisturizer and daily sunscreen. Retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids aimed at wrinkles or sun damage are not routine essentials for young skin and can cause redness, burning or peeling. A dermatologist can advise whether a retinoid or salicylic acid is appropriate for a child with acne.2

Teens with acne can benefit from targeted ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid while continuing moisturizer and sunscreen. Both ingredients can cause dryness and irritation. Do not pick or squeeze spots, because doing so can worsen inflammation and lead to scarring. A daily care routine supports skin care, but persistent acne can need treatment beyond the basics.25

How do I introduce products safely?

Introduce one new product at a time. For sensitive skin, test a pea sized amount behind your ear along the jawline, then wait a day or two before applying it to your whole face. If your skin flares after adding products, cut back and remove suspected triggers. Seek medical advice if the problem does not improve after simplifying the routine.45

What should I expect, and when should I get help?

The basic routine cleans the skin, supports hydration and protects against sun damage. Moisturizing helps relieve dryness and itchiness; it is not a substitute for acne treatment. Ask a pharmacist about a few blackheads, whiteheads or spots. See a doctor for painful or widespread acne, cysts, or acne that has not responded to pharmacy treatments.26

For teens, see a dermatologist if breakouts leave dark marks or scars, or if acne has not improved after a few months of treatment bought without a prescription. Seek help sooner if sensitive skin is reacting to products. If acne is affecting your mood, support from a trusted person or a health professional is also worth seeking.26