Should you use skincare every day?

Which products do you actually need?

Start with a cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen chosen for your skin's needs. Effective skincare can be inexpensive, and a daily routine need not be lengthy. A bathroom shelf can hold an elaborate routine, but your skin does not require the complete display. Treat concerns such as dryness or acne separately rather than adding products just to fill out the routine.2

What should you do in the morning?

1. 1Cleanse gently. Wet your face with lukewarm water, massage a mild cleanser with your fingertips, rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel. Avoid scrubbing. If your skin tends to be dry, once daily cleansing in the evening can be enough.
2. 2Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp. Moisturizer traps water in the skin. Use it on your face and neck, and remember dry areas of your body and your lips. Oily skin can also benefit from moisturizing.
3. 3Finish with sunscreen before going outdoors. Choose broad spectrum protection, which covers UVA and UVB rays, SPF 30 or higher, and water resistance. Cover exposed skin, including your neck and ears. Reapply every two hours outdoors and after swimming or heavy sweating.

Sun protection also includes shade and clothing that covers your skin. Daily sunscreen is particularly important when the UV index is 3 or higher. In places far from the equator, very low winter UV levels can mean sunscreen is not required all year. You do not need sunscreen at night.56

What should you do before bed?

Remove makeup if you are wearing it, then gently cleanse and moisturize. A separate makeup remover is useful when your cleanser leaves makeup behind. Evening washing removes dirt, oil and grime collected during the day. Generally, limit face washing to twice daily and after sweating; washing more often is not a shortcut to healthier skin.347

Should treatments and extras be used every day?

Toner and antioxidant serums are optional, not requirements for a complete routine. Alcohol containing toners can dry or irritate skin, especially dry skin. Chemical exfoliation with glycolic acid can be used a couple of times a week rather than automatically becoming a daily step.67

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative used to improve wrinkles, sun spots and skin texture. Start slowly: a pea sized amount across the face before bed every three days, then increase toward nightly use as your skin tolerates it. Watch for redness, significant peeling or irritation. Daily basics and daily retinol are separate decisions.1

What if daily skincare irritates your skin?

Introduce new products one at a time. 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. If a product causes skin irritation, stop using it and make an appointment with a dermatologist.67

The purpose of daily basics is ongoing care: cleansing removes grime, moisturizing limits moisture loss, and sunscreen helps prevent sun damage. More products can increase irritation rather than improve the routine, so the shopping basket is not a progress meter. Seek medical advice for unusual skin symptoms or a concern that needs treatment beyond basic care.467