A good skincare routine is shorter than most people think. Skin does best with consistency, not complexity. Three steps, done well every day, will do more than ten products used occasionally.
A shorter routine you keep up beats a longer one you abandon.
Step 1: Cleanse
The job of a cleanser is to remove sunscreen, oil and the day's grime without leaving skin tight or squeaky. That tight feeling usually means the cleanser was too harsh for you.
- Dry or sensitive skin: choose a cream, gel or oil cleanser with a low-foam texture.
- Oily or combination skin: a gentle foaming cleanser is fine, as long as skin feels comfortable afterwards.
- Wearing sunscreen or makeup: an oil or balm cleanser first, followed by your usual cleanser, removes it more thoroughly. This is often called double cleansing, and it is only needed in the evening.
Browse our cleansers.
Step 2: Hydrate and treat
This is the step where you can address a specific concern, but only one or two at a time. Start with a hydrating serum or gel. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin draw water into the skin and suit almost everyone.
If you want to target something specific, add a single active ingredient and give it four to six weeks before judging it:
- Niacinamide is a well-tolerated choice for oiliness, visible pores and uneven tone.
- Vitamin C is commonly used in the morning for dullness and brightness.
- Retinoids are used at night for texture and fine lines. Start slowly, two or three nights a week, and always use sunscreen during the day.
Introduce one new product at a time. If your skin reacts, you will know which product caused it.
Step 3: Moisturise, and protect in the morning
A moisturiser seals in hydration and supports the skin barrier. Lighter gels suit oily skin; richer creams suit dry or mature skin.
In the morning, finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. In Australia, daily sunscreen is the single most useful habit for long-term skin health, and Cancer Council Australia recommends it whenever the UV index is 3 or above.
What you can skip
- Toners are optional. A hydrating toner can be pleasant, but it rarely changes results.
- Daily scrubs often do more harm than good. If you exfoliate, once or twice a week is plenty.
- Layering several actives at once raises the chance of irritation without adding much benefit.
- Products for concerns you do not have. A shorter routine you keep up beats a longer one you abandon.
A note on sensitive skin
Patch test anything new on your inner arm or behind your ear for 24 hours before using it on your face. If you have a skin condition such as eczema, rosacea or persistent acne, speak to your GP, a dermatologist or a pharmacist before changing your routine.
Not sure where to start? Our Begin Here edit gathers a few gentle foundations in one place.
This guide is general information only and is not medical advice. If you have a skin or health condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take medication, speak to your GP, pharmacist or dermatologist before changing your routine.
