A good routine doesn't need ten steps. Most people do well with four — done consistently, morning and night. Here's the order and what each step is for.
1. Cleanse
Cleansing removes sweat, oil, sunscreen and the day's dust so the rest of your products can do their job. Choose a texture that suits you: gel or foaming for oily skin, cream or milk for dry or sensitive skin.
Use lukewarm water, massage gently for about 30 seconds, and pat dry rather than rubbing.
2. Treat
This is where serums and targeted products go — for example a vitamin C in the morning or a niacinamide serum for shine. Start with one treatment product and give it a few weeks before adding another.
- Apply thinnest to thickest: watery serums first, richer ones after.
- Introduce actives (retinol, exfoliating acids) slowly — two or three nights a week to start.
- Patch-test new products on your inner arm or jawline first.
3. Moisturise
Moisturiser locks in hydration and supports your skin barrier. Oily skin can use a light gel or lotion; dry skin usually prefers a cream. Everyone needs one — even oily skin.
4. Protect (morning only)
Sunscreen is the step that makes the biggest long-term difference. Use SPF 30 or higher every morning, apply generously (about two finger-lengths for the face and neck), and reapply if you're outdoors for long.
Keep it consistent
Skin responds to consistency more than to complexity. Give a new routine at least four to six weeks before judging results, and change one thing at a time so you know what's working.
This article is general guidance, not medical advice. If you have a skin condition or a reaction to a product, please consult a dermatologist or pharmacist.
