How to Build a Skincare Routine: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a skincare routine doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Whether you’re starting fresh or refining what you already have, this step-by-step guide will help you build a simple yet effective skincare regimen. Let’s make your skin glow and get the care it truly deserves!

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Step 927: Submerge into a fresh pool of lemon-infused water like you are a you're a citrus mermaid. Just kidding!

Three Easy Steps: The Basic Routine

Step 1: What Do You Want to Get Out of a Routine?

Before you start picking products or creating steps, decide what you want to achieve with your skincare routine.

Ask yourself:

• Do you want a fast and easy routine with good results?

• Is your focus on relaxation and self-care?

• Are you trying to address a specific skincare goal like reducing visible acne, dryness, or aging?

Your goals will guide how many steps you add and help you choose products tailored to your skin’s needs.

Step 2: Start with the Basics

Every beginner’s skincare routine should start with three essential steps. These are universal and work for all skin types:

1. Cleanse: Wash your face to remove dirt and oil.

2. Moisturize: Hydrate your skin to keep it soft and healthy.

3. Sunscreen or Night Treatment: In the morning, protect your skin with sunscreen. At night, use a moisturizer or treatment that targets specific skin goals, like extra hydration or anti-aging.

   
   

Note: If you’re wearing makeup, use a makeup remover or cleansing balm before cleansing.

This is a separate and important step!

Everything else—like serums, toners, or masks—can be added later once you’ve mastered the basics.

Step 3: How to Pick Your Products

Now that you know the basic steps, let’s talk about choosing the right products for your skin type and concerns.

1. Cleanser

   The main consideration when choosing a cleanser is your skin type:

   
   

   Dry skin: Avoid foaming cleansers that lather, as they can strip your skin. Opt for creamy or milky cleansers. We love Fresh’s Soy Face Cleanser!

   Oily skin: Choose a gel-based or foaming cleanser to help control excess oil such as, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser.

   Combination skin: Use a gentle, balanced cleanser that works on oily areas without drying out the rest of your face. This affordable cleanser from Neutrogena, Neutrogena Skin Balancing Purifying Gel Cleanser, contains 2% Polyhydroxy Acid which lightly exfoliates each wash to promote the evening out of combination skin.

   
   

   Pro Tip: Shop at trusted retailers with a liberal return policy. Look for products with high review volumes (1,000+ reviews is ideal) and read a few to ensure they’re genuine.

   
   

2. Moisturizer

   Everyone—yes, even those with oily skin—needs a moisturizer! Skipping it can cause your skin to overproduce oil, which can make it shinier and more prone to breakouts. We love, love, LOVE Hada Labo Japan Gokujun Hyaluron Milky Lotion.

   
   

   Dry skin: Choose a heavier moisturizer with hydrating ingredients like ceramides or shea butter. For dry skin we recommend Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Body Cream.

   Oily skin: Go for lightweight, oil-free, gel-based moisturizers.

   
   

   Trial and Error: Allow 7-10 days to test how a product works for your skin (unless you really hate it). If it doesn’t suit you, return or exchange it (this is why shopping at stores with good return policies is so handy!).

   
   

3. Sunscreen (Day) or Night Treatment (Night)

   
   

   Sunscreen for Daytime: Use SPF 30 or higher every single day—yes, even in winter! Japanese and European sunscreens are often praised for their advanced UV filters, lightweight textures, and minimal white cast (we love La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Dark Spot Corrector SPF 30!). But U.S. sunscreens can work great, too—just pick one you’ll use consistently.

   
   

   Night Treatment: Skip sunscreen at night and focus on hydration. Use a thicker moisturizer at night or try a night cream. Occlusives (like Vaseline or Aquaphor) can lock in moisture and prevent overnight dryness. Our ride or die is Homeoplasmine Magic Cream!

   
   

   Pro Tip: Sunscreen is non-negotiable! Make it a habit to apply it daily, and don’t forget your neck and hands. These areas show aging too, and your future self will thank you.

   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   
   

Step 4: Add Extras to Address Your Skin Goals

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start adding steps to target specific concerns.

Here are some common skin goals and the products to help:

• Acne: Add a salicylic acid cleanser or use sulfur masks 1–2 times a week. We like Murad Rapid Relief Acne Sulfur Mask or a prescription sulphur wash (ask your derm).

  
  

• Anti-aging: Retinol* is a gold-standard ingredient for reducing fine lines and boosting collagen. Use it at night after moisturizing, but don’t overdo it—start slow! Peptides are another great option and are often included in daily moisturizers. I have been really liking this Senté Bio Complete Serum because I can use it daily without any drying.

  *Note: Despite other claims, retinol is the only ingredient clinically proven to increase cell turnover and reduce visible signs of aging.

  
  

• Brightening: Brightening products, like vitamin C serums, are designed to fade dark spots (such as freckles or melasma) and even out skin tone. We love (we love La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Dark Spot Corrector SPF 30 because it in incorporated into the sunscreen step). If you would like a separate vitamin C serum step to specifically target brightening, this one from Biossance, Vitamin C Rose Brightening and Firming Face Oil + Squalane, is very nice to put on. Add this step immediately after cleansing and before moisturizer.

  
  

• Hydration: Include a hyaluronic acid serum or niacinamide to boost and lock in moisture. You can also use a hydrating mask weekly. Again, we can't say enough good things about Hada Labo Japan Gokujun Hyaluron Milky Lotion.

  
  

• Dullness: Exfoliate 1–2 times a week with a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid or lactic acid. Apply this after cleansing and before moisturizing. The best ones we have found are G.M. COLLIN Active Exfoliant Powder and/or Fresh Sugar Face Polish.

So... What Are Toners and Serums and When Should They be Used?

Toners

Toners are lightweight liquids designed to prep your skin for serums and moisturizers. They can hydrate, balance your skin’s pH, or target specific concerns like acne or redness. Apply toner after cleansing using a cotton pad or your hands. Each toner will say what skin concern it is meant to address (remember to check reviews before buying)!

Serums

Serums are concentrated treatments for specific skin concerns (e.g., hydration, anti-aging, brightening). They come in different bases, like water or oil, and should be applied before moisturizer.

Pro Tip: At night, lock in serums with a technique called “slugging.” This involves applying a thin layer of occlusive products like Vaseline, Aquaphor, or Homéoplasmine over your serum to keep it in place and prevent transfer onto your pillow. Slugging helps your nighttime treatments stay effective and can also keep your pillows clean!

Advance Skincare Routines

So far we have explored creating a basic version of a skincare routine. If you’re interested in diving deeper, you might explore the Korean 10-step skincare routine, which focuses on hydration and prevention. It includes: 1) Oil cleanser, 2) Water cleanser, 3) Exfoliator (1–2x weekly), 4) Toner, 5) Essence, 6) Serum/ampoule, 7) Sheet mask (1–2x weekly), 8) Eye cream, 9) Moisturizer, and 10) Sunscreen (AM only). This layered approach allows for targeted treatments and maximum hydration, promoting a radiant complexion. Customize the steps based on your skin type and concerns for the best results! However, it’s best to explore this more advanced routine after establishing your basic regimen—since jumping from 0 to 60 mph can be overwhelming and a basic routine can be highly effective on it's own!

Just two beauties in pink masks, contemplating if we need a map to navigate a 10-step Korean skincare routine!

So Now You Have Your Basic Routine!

This simple three-step process—cleanse, moisturize, and sunscreen/night treatment—is the foundation for healthy skin. It’s quick, easy, and effective. Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can slowly add in new steps to personalize your routine and meet your unique skin goals.

Don’t get overwhelmed! Start small and take your time experimenting with products. Trial and error is part of the process since every skin type and environment is different.

Many of the products we recommend work especially well for dry, pale, or aging skin, but they’re versatile enough for most skin types. If you ever want to fall down the rabbit hole that is skin care knowledge, we highly recommend, "Skincare: The ultimate no-nonsense guide," by Caroline Hirons.

Stay tuned for our next few posts, where we’ll dive deeper into the top skin concerns and how to address them effectively!

🌟 Stay beautiful 🌟,

Lynn