The most basic, three-step skincare routine has three steps: cleanse, moisturise and, in the morning, protect with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. In the evening you cleanse and moisturise again, and that is where targeted products such as retinol belong. Apply products from the thinnest to the thickest texture, add one new product at a time, and give it several weeks before you judge it. A balanced diet supports normal skin from within.
Key facts about a skincare routine
- A complete simple routine needs only three products: a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser that suits your skin and a daily sunscreen.
- Daily sunscreen is the step with the strongest evidence, because UV radiation is the main external cause of visible skin ageing.
- The order rule: thinnest to thickest. Cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream, moisturiser, and sunscreen last in the morning.
- Retinol and other retinoids belong in the evening; vitamin C serums are usually applied in the morning, under sunscreen.
- Patch-test new products on a small area of skin, such as the inside of the forearm, for several days before using them on your face.
- From within: vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, zinc and iodine contribute to the maintenance of normal skin; vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin.
What is the simplest skincare routine?
The simplest skincare routine is cleanse and moisturise twice a day, plus sunscreen every morning. Everything else, from toners to serums and masks, is optional and depends on your skin and your goals. Dermatologists regularly point out that a short routine you keep up beats a ten-step routine you abandon after two weeks.
| Step | Morning | Evening | Essential? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleanser | Mild cleanser or lukewarm water | Mild cleanser, removing sunscreen and make-up | Yes |
| Toner | Hydrating, alcohol-free | Hydrating, alcohol-free | No |
| Serum | Vitamin C or another antioxidant | Retinol, or a hydrating serum | No |
| Eye cream | Light texture | Light or richer texture | No |
| Moisturiser | Light lotion or gel | Lotion or cream | Yes |
| Sunscreen | Broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher | Not needed | Yes, every morning |
Which order should your skincare routine follow?
Apply skincare from the thinnest, most watery texture to the thickest, so each layer can reach the skin. Products that target a specific concern go on before the moisturiser; sunscreen always comes last in the morning.
Morning order
- Cleanse with a mild cleanser or water.
- Toner or essence, if you use one.
- Vitamin C or antioxidant serum.
- Eye cream, patted in gently around the orbital bone.
- Moisturiser.
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, applied generously; make-up goes on top.
Evening order
- Cleanse; cleanse twice if you wore water-resistant sunscreen or make-up.
- Toner, if you use one.
- Active serum: retinol, or an exfoliating acid such as glycolic, salicylic or azelaic acid. Start with two or three evenings a week and don't combine strong actives on the same night.
- Eye cream.
- Moisturiser or night cream.
Sheet masks and other masks replace the serum step one or two evenings a week. Retinoids and exfoliating acids can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so daily sunscreen matters even more when you use them. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor before using retinoids.
Which skincare routine is best for your skin type?
The best skincare routine is the simple one, adapted to how your skin behaves. If you don't know your skin type, wash your face with a mild cleanser, wait about 30 minutes without applying anything and see how it feels.
Oily and combination skin
Use a gel or foaming cleanser, a light, oil-free moisturiser and a fluid sunscreen labelled "non-comedogenic". For combination skin, use a lighter product on the T-zone and a richer one on dry cheeks. Salicylic acid in the evening can help keep pores clear. Over-cleansing makes oily skin worse, not better.
Dry skin
Choose a cream cleanser, keep showers short and lukewarm, and apply a richer moisturiser within a few minutes of washing, while the skin is still damp. Ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and shea butter help the skin hold water.
Sensitive skin and rosacea
Keep the routine as short as possible: a gentle cleanser, a fragrance-free moisturiser and a mineral sunscreen often suit reactive skin best. Introduce one product at a time. Rosacea is a medical skin condition, so let a dermatologist guide any active ingredients.
Acne-prone skin
A good routine helps, but it is not a replacement for medical care. Over-the-counter products with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid can help mild breakouts; for painful, persistent or scarring acne, see a dermatologist early. A skincare routine can itself cause breakouts when products are too heavy or too many strong actives are layered at once.
Skincare routine for men, and as you get older
Skin doesn't follow gender marketing. Men need the same three steps; the main differences are shaving, which irritates the skin, and generally oilier skin. A light, unperfumed moisturiser with SPF in the morning, or separate products, keeps the routine to two minutes.
With age, skin produces less oil and recovers more slowly:
- From 30, the routine stays simple; consistent sunscreen does the most work, and many people add a vitamin C serum in the morning or a low-strength retinol in the evening.
- From 40, a richer moisturiser and a gentle retinoid in the evening are common additions.
- From 50, especially after menopause, skin often becomes drier and thinner. Gentler cleansers, richer creams and body moisturiser become more important.
Does a skincare routine really make a difference?
Yes, if it is consistent and realistic. Daily sunscreen is backed by the strongest evidence, and gentle cleansing and moisturising keep the skin barrier comfortable. Active ingredients take weeks, not days: give a new product several weeks of regular use before you decide whether it works, and stop if it stings, burns or causes a rash.
The same principles apply below the neck. Bath and body rituals can support skin care over time when they protect the skin barrier: short, lukewarm showers or baths, a mild soap-free wash, patting dry instead of rubbing, and a body moisturiser within a few minutes. Long hot baths, foaming bath additives and fragrance dry the skin out.
Your eye area needs special care because the skin there is thinner; our guide on how and when to use eye cream covers the details. In summer, heat and sun change what your skin needs; see summer skin care: a simple routine for hot days.
Skin from within: where nutrition fits
Creams work on the surface; what you eat provides the building blocks your skin uses every day. A varied diet with vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, pulses, nuts and seeds covers most needs. These nutrients have authorised roles for the skin:
- vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, zinc and iodine contribute to the maintenance of normal skin;
- vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin;
- vitamin E, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc and selenium contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Our guide to which vitamins are good for your skin covers food sources and upper limits, and what skin supplements can and can't do explains realistic expectations.
Sanbera's Daily Essential Women and Daily Essential Men provide, per 3 tablets, vitamin A 200 µg (25% NRV), vitamin C 43.1 mg (54%) or 51.8 mg (65%), riboflavin 1.05 mg (75%), niacin 12 mg (75%) or 8 mg (50%), biotin 25 µg (50%), zinc 2.5 mg (25%) or 4 mg (40%) and iodine 37.5 µg (25%). They complement a balanced diet; they don't replace a cleanser, a moisturiser or sunscreen.
Frequently asked questions
What skincare routine do dermatologists recommend?
Dermatologists usually recommend a simple routine: wash your face twice a day and after sweating with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water, apply a moisturiser that suits your skin type, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every morning. Add active ingredients one at a time and see a dermatologist for acne, rosacea or persistent irritation.
In which order should I apply my skincare products?
Apply products from the thinnest to the thickest texture. In the morning: cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream, moisturiser and sunscreen last. In the evening: cleanser, toner, active serum such as retinol, eye cream and moisturiser or night cream. Wait a moment between layers so each one can settle before the next.
When in my skincare routine should I use eye cream and vitamin C?
Use vitamin C serum in the morning after cleansing and toning, before eye cream, moisturiser and sunscreen. Eye cream goes after serums and before moisturiser, both morning and evening. Pat a small amount around the orbital bone with your ring finger, keeping it away from the lash line.
Can a skincare routine cause acne?
Yes, it can. Heavy, oily or comedogenic products can block pores, and layering several strong actives can irritate the skin and trigger breakouts. Choose products labelled non-comedogenic, introduce one new product at a time and simplify the routine if your skin worsens. Persistent or painful acne should be assessed by a dermatologist.
Does a skincare routine really make a difference?
A consistent routine does make a difference, especially daily sunscreen, which has the strongest evidence for keeping skin healthy-looking. Gentle cleansing and moisturising keep the skin barrier comfortable. Active ingredients such as retinol need several weeks of regular use before you can judge them, and no product changes the skin overnight.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology: Skin care tips dermatologists use
- American Academy of Dermatology: Face washing 101
- American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologists' tips for relieving dry skin
- NHS: Sunscreen and sun safety
- European Commission: EU Register of nutrition and health claims
- Park K. Role of micronutrients in skin health and function. Biomolecules & Therapeutics, 2015.
This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.