Skincare routine and products: what to use and in what order

Which products should you buy first?

Choose products for your skin type rather than buying every category on the shelf. Some skin needs more hydration, some produces more oil, and sensitive skin needs particular care with irritating products. Begin with the three basics below, because your bathroom does not need to become a branch office of the beauty aisle.1

Your morning routine, step by step

1. 1Wash gently. Massage a gentle cleanser onto your face with lukewarm water, then pat dry with a towel rather than rubbing.
2. 2Apply any medication or treatment. The general order puts skin treatments directly after cleansing. An optional morning serum belongs before moisturizer.
3. 3Apply moisturizer. Use it to help keep moisture in your skin, especially if a treatment leaves your skin dry.
4. 4Apply sunscreen. Make sunscreen the last skincare step each morning.
5. 5Apply makeup if you wear it. Makeup goes after your skincare, not between the treatment and moisturizer.

Your evening routine, step by step

1. 1Remove makeup if needed. A cleanser does not always remove all makeup. Micellar water or a cleansing balm can serve as the makeup removal step.
2. 2Wash your face. Use a gentle cleanser or one suited to your skin type, then gently pat dry.
3. 3Apply your evening medication or treatment, if you use one. Treatment generally follows cleansing and comes before moisturizer.
4. 4Apply moisturizer. Finish by moisturizing; sunscreen is not needed at night.

How should you adjust the routine for your skin?

Dry skin needs a moisturizer with enough hydration, rather than whichever product happens to be trending. A cleanser containing hyaluronic acid is another option for skin prone to dryness. Avoid harsh scrubbing and microbeads: cleansing should not involve sanding your face. For sensitive skin, favor fragrance free products and avoid heavily fragranced formulas. Natural ingredients can still cause allergies, and a higher price does not mean a product will help your skin more.145

Acne prone skin can benefit from a cleanser containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Both ingredients can cause dryness and irritation, so keep a gentle moisturizer in the routine. A medicated cleanser is a targeted choice, not a requirement for everyone who washes their face.45

How do you use sunscreen properly?

Wear SPF 30 or higher every day, including winter. For planned time outdoors, such as a beach day, choose SPF 50 or higher. Use a separate facial sunscreen rather than relying only on the SPF in makeup.15

Broad spectrum sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB radiation. SPF mainly describes protection against UVB, which causes sunburn; it is not a multiplier for how long you can stay outdoors. Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure and cover exposed skin, including your ears, neck, hands and hairline. About one ounce is needed to cover an average sized adult's body from head to toe, not just the face.6

Reapply at least every two hours outdoors and more often when swimming or sweating. Water resistant sunscreen labels specify 40 or 80 minutes of protection during swimming or sweating; follow the product's reapplication directions. No sunscreen is waterproof. Never spray sunscreen directly onto your face. Combine sunscreen with shade and protective clothing, and limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Discard expired sunscreen, or sunscreen without an expiry date three years after purchase. If you do not know its age, discard it.6

Do you need serums, toner or exfoliation?

Add an extra product for a specific goal, not to fill a gap in the lineup. Vitamin C is an optional morning ingredient that helps protect against damaging molecules called free radicals and supports collagen production. It complements sunscreen rather than replacing it. Toner is optional too, so leaving it out is not an administrative error. Alcohol based toners can strip oils and cause dryness or irritation.25

If you choose to exfoliate, glycolic acid can help remove dead skin and even skin tone. Use it a couple of times a week rather than adding abrasive brushes, salt scrubs or sugar scrubs. Avoid layering vitamin C with alpha hydroxy acid exfoliants, which can disrupt skin's pH balance. For adults targeting acne, dark spots or fine lines, nighttime retinol or retinoid products are another treatment option. These are forms of vitamin A, and they can dry out skin. Keep moisturizer in the routine instead of treating dryness as a reason to add more actives.2

How do you introduce products safely?

Introduce one new product at a time. For sensitive skin, test a pea sized amount behind your ear along your jawline, then wait a day or two before applying it across your face. If a product causes skin irritation or an inflamed rash, stop using it and make an appointment with a dermatologist. Using several treatments at once increases the chance of side effects.25

What changes for tweens and teens?

Tweens should focus on gentle cleansing, fragrance free moisturizer and daily broad spectrum, water resistant SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. For dry or sensitive skin, washing once in the evening can be enough. Products targeting wrinkles or sun damage, including retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids, are not routine additions for young skin. A dermatologist can advise whether a retinoid or salicylic acid is appropriate for acne.4

Teen acne needs medical attention if breakouts leave dark marks or scars, or if treatment bought without a prescription has not helped after a few months. Seek help sooner if sensitive skin reacts to those products. The aim is an appropriate treatment, not an expanding collection of products that all irritate the same face.4