🧴 Skincare Basics for Beginners: A Simple 3-Step Routine
You do not need ten products for healthy skin. A short, consistent routine works better than a long one that irritates your skin.
Morning routine
- Cleanse with a gentle face wash (or just water if your skin is very dry).
- Moisturise with a light cream or gel, even if your skin is oily.
- Sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. This is the most important step.
Night routine
- Cleanse to remove sunscreen, dirt and oil.
- Treat (optional): a product for a specific concern, such as acne or dark spots.
- Moisturise.
Patch test every new product
Put a small amount on the inside of your forearm or behind your ear for 24 to 48 hours. If you see redness, itching or swelling, do not use it on your face.
Add one product at a time
Introduce a new product, wait two to four weeks, then add the next. If something irritates your skin you will know which one it was.
Be careful with strong active ingredients
Ingredients such as retinol, AHAs, BHAs and vitamin C can be helpful, but start slowly (a few nights a week), avoid using many together, and always wear sunscreen. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor before using retinoids.
Habits that help
- Do not scrub hard or pick at pimples.
- Drink enough water, sleep well and eat a balanced diet.
- Be careful with unregulated creams, especially strong steroid or bleaching creams. If you are unsure, ask a doctor or pharmacist.
When to see a dermatologist
See a skin specialist for persistent or painful acne, a sudden rash, scarring, or any skin problem that does not improve after a few weeks.