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If there is one certainty among the many, many uncertainties in our world right now, it is this: Taking the time to care for ourselves should no longer be considered an indulgence. Rather, for so many reasons, it is a necessity. With skin care, though, there is another undeniable truth: It can often feel overwhelming. “The skin-care market has really boomed in the last few years,” says Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “While this is great because it gives us a variety of new ingredients and formulations, this can be really confusing for the consumer\u2014especially a newbie.”<\/p>\n
So forget everything you\u2019ve seen on TikTok and start here, with this simple, no-nonsense guide to building a skin-care routine. We consulted a team of dermatologists to walk us through exactly which products you need, how to use them, which ones to avoid, and when to level up.<\/p>\n
In this story:<\/strong><\/p>\n Start simple<\/strong><\/p>\n They say a good chef must first master a simple omelet. Think of your skin-care routine as your omelet. After you have a solid foundational routine in place and know that you can stick to it, you can add ingredients, if you choose. \u201cYou don\u2019t need a dozen products to have healthy skin,\u201d says board-certified dermatologist Jenna Queller, MD. \u201cIn fact, the more products you introduce at once, the harder it becomes to know what\u2019s actually helping and what\u2019s causing irritation.\u201d<\/p>\n It may not sound very exciting, but keeping to the essentials and avoiding trendy ingredients or methods is your best bet. \u201cSocial media often promotes products that aren\u2019t appropriate for everyone,\u201d Dr. Queller says. Instead, she recommends \u201cchoosing products based on your skin type and concerns, rather than what\u2019s currently popular online.\u201d<\/p>\n Consider your skin type<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Queller says she frequently sees people using products designed for someone else’s skin type. \u201cA friend\u2019s favorite product may not be appropriate for your skin, and what works well for one person can cause irritation or breakouts for another.\u201d<\/p>\n Introduce one product at a time<\/strong><\/p>\n Start simple and slow. \u201cI recommend introducing only one new product every two to four weeks,\u201d says board-certified dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD. \u201cThat way, if you develop irritation, it\u2019s much easier to identify the culprit instead of guessing between five new products.\u201d<\/p>\n Stay consistent<\/strong><\/p>\n Sticking with your routine\u2014provided you don’t have any reactions to the products\u2014is key to seeing results. \u201cOne of the biggest misconceptions is that skin care works overnight,\u201d says Dr. Queller. \u201cMost active ingredients need at least six to 12 weeks of consistent use before you see meaningful improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help<\/strong><\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to do this alone. If you\u2019re dealing with issues like persistent acne, eczema, rosacea, melasma, or just want to fact-check your routine, it\u2019s worth visiting a dermatologist. \u201cA personalized treatment plan can often save months of frustration,\u201d says Dr. Queller, \u201cand help you achieve better results more quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n Step 1: Cleanse<\/strong><\/p>\n You can\u2019t cook an omelet in a dirty pan (well, you can<\/em>, but it wouldn\u2019t pass a health inspection). Using a gentle cleanser twice per day\u2014once in the morning, once in the evening\u2014is where you should start.<\/p>\n Cleansing in the morning will help remove any evidence of sweat or oil left from your beauty sleep, says board-certified dermatologist Divya Shokeen, MD. If you have very dry or sensitive skin, you can skip the product and just rinse your face with water in the morning to keep things as gentle as possible; but cleansing in the evening is a nonnegotiable, since you\u2019ll have accumulated a day\u2019s worth of all kinds of pore-clogging culprits (makeup, sweat, dead skin cells, and other debris). Plus, Dr. Queller notes, \u201ca properly cleansed face allows the rest of your skin-care products to work more effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe Basics<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Skin-Care 101: The Foundation of Your Routine<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n