How to Build a Skincare Routine That’s Simple and Effective (2024)

The best skincare advice we can offer: Establish a thoughtful, personalized skincare routine and stick with it. Consistency is key, as is patience. It takes time—typically four weeks—for skincare formulas to begin to show results, says Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

Following a routine sounds easy enough, but for many it's surprisingly difficult. The skincare world, a nearly 100-billion-dollar industry, is churning out more new product options than ever, and each one promises to work miracles. “The most common challenge my patients face is navigating the sheer volume of choices, marketing, and messaging,” says Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. This can cause not only impulse purchasing and information overload but also skin issues, since using too many different products can lead to dryness and irritation.

Bottom line: Ignore the noise, and focus on the right routine for you. To do that, identify your current skin struggles (dryness? dark spots? acne? fine lines?) and skin goals (glowier skin? more firmness?). These keywords will help guide you to the products you need, says Adam Tinklepaugh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. We break down more on what to look for and the correct order to apply them, below.

How to Build a Skincare Routine

Your routine should have three goals: cleansing, treating, and protecting the skin, says Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Learn how to pick the products for each step, ahead.

Step 1: Cleanser

Look for a gentle formula instead of one with lots of active ingredients, Ilyas says. The goal of cleansing is to reduce oil buildup from the night before or impurities that accumulated throughout the day. “Some people like to have a cleanser that exfoliates or treats issues, but ingredients need to be on your skin for at least one minute to have any impact,” says Shirazi. “Simply putting it on and rinsing it off doesn't do much.”

If you have oily skin, opt for a foaming or gel formula, which will give you a deeper clean. If you have dry or sensitive skin, try a cream cleanser. If you wear makeup, you may want to do a double cleanse in the evening. First you'll apply an oil-based cleansing balm, which breaks down makeup, and then your foam, gel, or cream cleanser, explains Rabach.

No matter your skin type, don't cleanse more than twice a day, which can strip your skin's natural oils. "Oil on our skin is healthy and normal. It keeps us from drying out," Tinklepaugh says.

Step 2: Treatment

Now that your skin is clean, you want to apply a formula that targets your specific skin concern. It should contain an active ingredient, such as vitamin C, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, niacinamide, or retinol, Shirazi says. Ingredients like these are proven to address dullness, dryness, uneven texture, pimples, fine lines, dark spots, or loss of firmness.

To brighten skin, look for kojic acid, vitamin C, or niacinamide.
To hydrate, look for ceramides, squalane, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), shea butter, or oat complexes.
To soften fine lines or wrinkles or help firm skin, use a retinol, a retinol alternative like bakuchiol, or glycolic acid.
To treat acne, try salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinol.

Look for a toner, an essence, or a serum. These are lightweight and meant to sink into your skin. “Applying actives onto just-cleansed skin increases their effectiveness,” Ilyas says.

A word of caution: “Many people try to apply multiple treatments. But this can overwhelm the skin,” says Shirazi. “It’s always best to stick to one active treatment product for at least four weeks before adding a second. And don’t combine multiple exfoliants, like glycolic acid and a retinol, for example. You'll damage the skin barrier.”

Step 3: Protection

Moisturizing your skin is the third critical step. “In the morning, make sure your moisturizer contains SPF to protect you from UV and blue light,” says Ilyas. For the evening, use a moisturizer with top-notch hydrators that repair skin overnight. “If your skin is on the oily side, go for a lightweight moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid,” Ilyas recommends.

“For anti-aging, I favor a moisturizer that contains stem cells, niacinamide, resveratrol, or caffeine to help support cell renewal,” says Shirazi.