Skincare essentials for your face

What should you buy first?

Start with products suited to your skin rather than a collection of treatments. Choose a gentle cleanser without microbeads, which can irritate skin and cause inflammation. Pick a moisturizer that meets your needs: dry skin can need something more hydrating than oily skin. For sunscreen, choose broad spectrum protection, which covers both types of ultraviolet rays, and SPF 30 or higher. Use SPF 50 or higher for planned time outdoors, such as a beach day. Sunscreen belongs in your routine throughout the year, including winter; SPF in makeup is not a reason to skip it.34

How do you use the essentials in the morning?

1. 1Cleanse gently. Use lukewarm water and your fingertips to massage cleanser over your face. Pat dry with a towel instead of rubbing.
2. 2Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp. Moisturizer traps water in the skin and helps limit water loss.
3. 3Apply sunscreen last. Cover exposed skin, not just the center of your face. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.

A moisturizer with sunscreen can combine two steps if it is broad spectrum and SPF 30 or higher. It still needs reapplication. Sun protection also includes shade and protective clothing, rather than asking one cream to handle every part of being outdoors. Limit ordinary face washing to twice daily, plus after sweating. For dry or sensitive skin, washing only in the evening can be sufficient.14

What changes in the evening?

1. 1Remove makeup if you wear it. Micellar water or a cleansing balm can help remove makeup that your face wash leaves behind. Choose fragrance free wipes if you use wipes.
2. 2Wash with your gentle cleanser. Avoid scrubbing or adding another cleansing step automatically.
3. 3Apply moisturizer. Sunscreen is not needed at night.

Do you need toner, serum or exfoliation?

Toner is optional, despite having a name that sounds like a job your face forgot to do. Alcohol based toners can strip natural oils and cause dryness or irritation. An antioxidant serum is optional too. Vitamin C can help protect against damaging environmental molecules called free radicals and support collagen production. Neither product is needed to complete the basic routine.5

If you add a serum, apply it after cleansing and before moisturizer, generally layering thinner products before thicker ones. Vitamin C supports sunscreen; it does not replace sunscreen. Avoid combining it with chemical exfoliants such as alpha hydroxy acids, which can disrupt skin's pH balance. For exfoliation, glycolic acid a couple of times weekly is an option instead of abrasive tools or scrubs. Retinol and retinoids, ingredients related to vitamin A, are nighttime treatments that can help fine lines, acne and dark spots. They can also dry skin, so keep moisturizer in the routine. These are targeted additions, not requirements for every face.2

Do teens and tweens need different essentials?

Tweens should focus on a gentle cleanser, fragrance free moisturizer and broad spectrum, water resistant SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. Adult products for wrinkles or sun damage are not useful additions for children. Retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids can cause redness, burning or peeling in young skin. Teenagers can develop more oiliness and breakouts as hormones change. Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can help with acne, but both can cause dryness and irritation. Keep daily moisturizer and sunscreen alongside acne care. A dermatologist can decide whether a retinoid or salicylic acid is appropriate for a child or teenager.4

What should you expect, and when should you stop?

The essentials clean away dirt and oil, relieve dryness and provide daily sun protection. Effective products do not have to be expensive, so the price tag can stay out of the skincare routine. Adding more products can increase irritation rather than improve the result. Introduce one new product at a time. If you have sensitive skin, test a pea sized amount behind your ear or along your jawline and wait a day or two before using it across your face.15

Stop a new product if skin irritation develops and arrange a dermatologist appointment. Seek help for unusual skin symptoms rather than adding more treatments. For teenagers, acne that leaves dark marks or scars, or has not improved after a few months of treatment bought without a prescription, needs a dermatologist's assessment.245