The expression “skincare routine” might sound intimidating, bringing up the image of a super-intensive regimen with dozens of products to be applied in a very specific order. In reality, it doesn’t have to be like that–a skincare routine can be as simple as you want it to be, and it’s not difficult to create an effective routine using just a few products that you’ll use every day, morning and evening. If you want to know how to put together a skincare routine simply and without stress, keep reading!
We’ll guide you through the basic steps you need to follow to create your routine, starting with some questions you should ask yourself before you even think about buying any products!
Table of Contents
1. Ask yourself some questions
Before you start thinking about which products you’re going to buy and in what order you’re going to use them, start by asking yourself these questions:
What are your skincare goals?
Maybe it’s acne and excess sebum that concern you, or maybe it’s dehydration, sensitivity, and fine lines. Maybe you’re worried about dilated pores and uneven skin texture, or maybe you’re worried about loss of firmness and elasticity associated with skin aging. Whatever your concerns, now’s the time to write them out as clearly as you can.
A realistic skincare routine might be able to tackle 2 to 3 concerns at a time, at most. Based on your list, choose your major skin concern, and build your skincare routine around it.
How much time do you want to spend on skincare?
Some people want to finish their skincare routine as quickly as possible, while others like to take their time, enjoying the moment as a time for self-care. Figure out what type of person you are and be true to yourself when building your skincare routine–there’s no point in deciding to use 10 products every day if you only have the time and patience for 3, right?
Likewise, try to figure out whether you’d prefer to focus on skincare in the morning or in the evening-or if you wouldn’t mind distributing your efforts equally between the two times of day.
How many products do you want to use?
Knowing how much time you want to dedicate to your skincare routine is important, and almost as important is having an idea of how many products you want to use. Do you want to keep your routine simple and minimalist, with 2 or 3 products, or do you want an in-depth regimen that spans 10 or more products, plus a few extras on special days of the week?
Pick your number, then start building your routine from a core set of essential products. To help you get started, we’ll help you figure out your “core” products in the next section.
2. Start with the essentials
As we’ve seen, your skincare routine will vary depending on your skin type, your skin concerns and goals, and the time and effort you want to dedicate to this whole endeavor. The basic core of your routine, however, will likely rely on three essential products: cleanser, moisturizer (a serum could also work), and sunscreen.
Cleanser
When it comes to putting together a skincare routine, a cleanser is essential–obviously, because we all need to wash our faces from time to time! A cleanser can do much more than that, though: it can remove makeup and residue from other skincare products, or even play an active “treatment” function in your routine, helping you address specific skin concerns. If you have oily and acne-prone skin, for example, a cleanser with salicylic acid can be a key part of your routine.
Moisturizer (or Serum)
Once you’ve cleansed your skin, you’re going to apply your “treatment” product–that is, the product that will do the most to target your skin concerns. This product can be a moisturizer or a serum, depending on your preference.
Moisturizers, also sometimes known as creams or lotions, are the most traditional option–not only do they hydrate the skin, but they also help target specific skin concerns, like dark spots or wrinkles.
Serums can be more intimidating–they generally have a more fluid texture but, at the same time, they are more concentrated in active ingredients, which makes them more potent in their “treatment” action.
If you’re simply looking for hydration to bring a bit more radiance to your skin, a moisturizer is probably the right product for you to apply after cleansing; if you want to treat more specific problems, a serum might be the better option.
Sunscreen
Finally, we come to sunscreen. Nowadays, we no longer use sunscreen only when we go to the beach or pool; the benefits of daily sunscreen use are well known and encompass both aesthetic benefits, such as fewer visible signs of skin aging, and health benefits, such as skin cancer prevention. Daily sunscreen use is also the best way to minimize dark spots, especially for people with skin prone to developing them.
If you’re unsure how to choose the ideal sunscreen for you, we can help: there are daily sunscreens for all tastes, from the most fluid formulas, suitable for combination and oily skin, to the creamiest and most moisturizing textures, suitable for drier skin.
3. Figure out your morning and evening routines
So you’ve got your core skincare products–cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen–, but when will you use them? That depends on your lifestyle, really.
Morning skincare routine
Your morning skincare routine is all about preparing your skin for the day ahead. You can do this by applying your three products–cleansing, moisturizing, and then protecting your skin from the sun with sunscreen–or you can simplify the process by doing only cleansing and sun protection. If you prefer an even shorter morning routine, you can do that too: wash your face with water and apply sunscreen afterward. Done!
Evening skincare routine
In the evening, you can usually dedicate a little more time to your skincare routine. Start by cleansing your face to remove accumulated impurities and the sunscreen you’ve applied in the morning. Then, apply your serum or moisturizer to leave your skin hydrated and well-rested, ready for its beauty sleep!
As your routine becomes more complex, you may want to add more products. Ideally, use “preventive” ingredients or products with immediate cosmetic effects in the morning (such as antioxidant serums, mattifying creams, etc), and more potent “corrective” actives at night (such as exfoliants, brightening agents, retinols, etc). But that’s for another time. Right now, focus on getting your basic routine in place!
As you can see, putting together a skincare routine isn’t that complicated. Start from the bottom up, focus on essential core products, and you’ll be good to go!
