How to find the right skincare routine

Start with your skin type

Choose products for how your skin behaves, not just your age. Dryness, oiliness and sensitivity change which products make sense. If you cannot tell your skin type, a dermatologist can help you choose before you start buying treatments.1

Buy the basics before the extras

Effective products can be inexpensive, so the receipt is not a skin assessment. Start with a gentle cleanser without microbeads, which can irritate skin, and a moisturizer suited to your skin type. Sunscreen should have SPF 30 or higher and broad spectrum protection. Use it daily, including winter. For extended time outdoors, such as a beach day, choose SPF 50 or higher.14

What should you do in the morning?

1. 1Wash gently. Use lukewarm water and your hands to massage in a gentle cleanser. Pat dry rather than rubbing with a towel.
2. 2Apply any treatment. Medication or a targeted skincare treatment goes after cleansing and before moisturizer. A morning antioxidant serum is optional, not a requirement.
3. 3Apply moisturizer. Use it while skin is still damp to help trap water. Oily skin needs moisturizer too.
4. 4Apply sunscreen. Put sunscreen after moisturizer and cover exposed skin not covered by clothing. Reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
5. 5Apply makeup if you wear it.

Makeup goes on after skincare, which is one of the few times the beauty aisle offers a clear running order. A moisturizer with sunscreen can combine steps, but do not assume SPF in makeup provides enough protection. A separate facial sunscreen is a straightforward choice.125

What should you do at night?

1. 1Remove makeup. If your cleanser does not remove it all, use a makeup remover first. Options include micellar water or a cleansing balm.
2. 2Cleanse gently. Use a cleanser suited to your skin type, without scrubbing. Avoid repeated washing to chase a cleaner feeling.
3. 3Apply your treatment, if you use one. Place medication or treatment after cleansing, following its specific directions.
4. 4Finish with moisturizer. Use it in the evening as well as the morning. Sunscreen is not needed at night.

Limit routine face washing to twice a day, with an additional wash after sweating or exercise. Double cleansing is not a required nightly step: start with one gentle cleanse, adding makeup removal when needed rather than automatically washing twice.16

Choose extras for one clear concern

For oily skin with acne, a wash containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can help. Choose a water based moisturizer labelled noncomedogenic, meaning designed not to clog pores. That label does not rule out breakouts: stop using a product that makes your acne worse. Avoid rubbing alcohol, very drying toners and greasy cosmetics. Acne is not caused by dirty skin, so more scrubbing is not the answer.37

For dark spots, a vitamin C serum is one morning option; it supports sun protection but does not replace sunscreen. Retinol and other retinoids, ingredients related to vitamin A, can help acne, dark spots and fine lines and are used at night. These treatments can cause dryness or irritation. Choose one serum rather than layering several, and avoid combining vitamin C with chemical exfoliants such as glycolic acid in the same routine.6

Toner and eye cream are optional, even if the bathroom shelf has already assigned them permanent seating. Exfoliation is another extra, not a basic requirement. If you choose it, glycolic acid is an option a couple of times a week; avoid abrasive brushes, salt scrubs and sugar scrubs. Alcohol based toners can strip natural oils and leave skin dry or irritated.26

Introduce new products one at a time

Add one new product at a time rather than replacing everything together. For sensitive skin, test a pea sized dot behind your ear along the jawline and wait a day or two before applying it across your face. Avoid heavily fragranced products. A product being natural does not prevent an allergic reaction.2

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

The basics keep skin clean, moisturized and protected; persistent acne can need treatment beyond daily skincare. Acne medicines can cause redness, dryness or peeling. Some also increase sun sensitivity, making sunscreen and hats particularly useful. Do not squeeze or pick spots, because that can cause scarring and delay healing.7

Stop a new product and arrange a dermatologist appointment if you develop irritation or contact dermatitis, an inflamed skin reaction. Get medical help for acne that is painful, worsening, leaving scars or causing emotional distress. If skincare and pharmacy treatments have not helped after several months, see a healthcare provider rather than adding more products. A pharmacist can advise on a few spots; widespread or painful acne can need prescription treatment.367

What is the ideal skincare routine?

The ideal routine matches your skin type and goals without unnecessary products. If your main concern is dryness, prioritize hydration. If it is persistent acne, focus on acne treatment rather than extra cosmetic steps. For fine lines or discoloration, choose a targeted treatment instead of stacking several products aimed at aging. Using too many can irritate skin and make signs of aging more noticeable.25