Cleansing removes dirt, oil and debris. Moisturizer holds water in your skin, and sun protection helps prevent wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer. The basic routine has three jobs, which is fewer than the skincare aisle would like to assign you.1

What should I do in the morning?

  1. 1Wash with a gentle cleanser. Use lukewarm water and your hands, massage gently, then pat rather than rub with a towel.
  2. 2Apply moisturizer. When you are not applying a treatment first, put moisturizer on damp skin to help trap water. Oily skin needs moisturizer too.
  3. 3Finish with broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on skin not covered by clothing. Reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Add shade and protective clothing rather than relying on sunscreen alone.
  4. 4Apply makeup afterward, if you wear it. Makeup containing SPF does not replace a separate facial sunscreen.
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What should I do at night?

  1. 1Remove makeup if you are wearing it. A makeup remover can take off makeup that your cleanser leaves behind; choose fragrance free wipes if you use wipes.
  2. 2Wash with a gentle cleanser before bed. Limit face washing to twice daily and after sweating rather than adding washes whenever your face feels oily.
  3. 3Apply medication or a targeted skin treatment after cleansing, if you use one. Treatment belongs between cleansing and moisturizer in the general application order.
  4. 4Apply moisturizer. Sunscreen is not needed at night.
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Do I need serums, toner or eye cream?

Serums and toners are extras, not entrance requirements for washing your face. An antioxidant serum can offer additional benefits, but it is not a necessary step. Vitamin C can support sun protection, but it cannot replace sunscreen. A separate eye cream is not essential either; moisturizer is often preferred because the eye area can be sensitive.23

Add treatments for a specific goal, such as managing acne or dark spots, rather than adding every available category. Using more products increases the chances of irritation, especially when several target signs of aging. A basic routine keeps skin clean, moisturized and protected; a particular skin condition can need prescription treatment as well.34

How do I choose products without irritating my skin?

Choose products suited to your skin type, avoid heavy fragrance and introduce one new product at a time. Expensive products are not automatically more effective. For sensitive skin, test a pea sized dot behind your ear along your jawline and wait a day or two before applying it across your face.123

If a product causes skin irritation or a rash, stop using it and make an appointment with a dermatologist. Seek medical advice for unusual skin symptoms rather than trying to solve them by adding more routine steps.23

Where this answer comes from

  1. 1Skin care on a budgetaad.org
  2. 2The Correct Order for Skin Care Productshealth.clevelandclinic.org
  3. 3Facebookhealth.clevelandclinic.org
  4. 4Should I apply my skin care products in a certain order?aad.org