Achieving the perfect skincare routine is surprisingly simple. It only takes a few key steps to achieve healthy, glowing skin. Through my experience and insights from a dermatologist friend, here’s a detailed look at the skincare routine that has worked wonders for me.
Why Have a Skincare Routine?
There are two main reasons to develop a solid skincare routine:
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Healthy Skin: Maintaining a strong skin barrier to prevent dryness, irritation, and infection.
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Beautiful Skin: Minimizing wrinkles, dark spots, and other signs of premature aging.
Good skincare habits today are investments your future self will thank you for. The best part? You only need a few essential products to get 90% of the results.
Step 1: Use a Moisturizer
The skin acts as a barrier to the outside world, keeping irritants out and locking in moisture. When the skin gets dry, this barrier weakens, leading to redness, itching, and even infections.
How Moisturizers Work: The skin has a “brick and mortar” structure with keratinocyte cells (the bricks) and fats and proteins (the mortar). Moisturizers replenish this “mortar,” strengthening the skin barrier and preventing moisture loss.
When to Use: Apply moisturizer in the morning and evening, especially after washing your face or showering.
Recommended Products: Dermatologists often recommend trusted brands like:
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CeraVe (especially CeraVe PM for nighttime use)
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Eucerin
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La Roche-Posay
Budget Tip: Effective moisturizers can cost under $30. You’re paying for the formula, not the brand hype.
Step 2: Use Sunscreen Every Day
Daily sunscreen use is crucial for preventing premature aging and skin cancer.
The Science of Sunscreen: Sun exposure causes photoaging, which leads to wrinkles, dark spots, and DNA damage that can result in skin cancer. UV radiation from the sun mutates skin cell DNA, increasing the risk of cancer and accelerating aging.
Key Features of a Good Sunscreen:
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Broad-Spectrum Protection: Shields against both UVA (aging rays) and UVB (burning rays).
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SPF 30 or Higher: Provides effective protection. SPF 50 is even better due to real-world application habits.
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Comfort: Choose a texture you’ll wear daily. A comfortable SPF 30 is better than a high-SPF sunscreen you won’t use.
Reapplication Tip: Ideally, reapply every 2-3 hours, but using a high-SPF product can help compensate for less frequent application.
Products I Use:
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Face: Altruist Dermatologist Face Fluid SPF 50 (also doubles as a moisturizer)
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Body: Altruist Dermatologist Sun Cream SPF 50 (affordable and effective)
Step 3: Use a Retinoid Every Evening
Retinoids, derived from vitamin A, are powerful for improving skin texture, reducing wrinkles, and preventing breakouts.
How Retinoids Work: They speed up skin cell turnover, helping to remove dead cells and promote the growth of new ones. Initially developed to treat acne, retinoids were found to have remarkable anti-aging benefits.
How to Use:
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Apply a small amount every evening after cleansing.
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Start slowly (every other night) to allow your skin to adjust.
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Always follow with a moisturizer to reduce dryness.
Popular Retinoid Options:
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Over-the-counter: Retinol serums from brands like CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, or The Ordinary.
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Prescription-strength: Tretinoin (consult your dermatologist)
Optional: Cleanser
A cleanser can help remove dirt, oil, and makeup but isn’t mandatory for everyone. For those who want to simplify, a sunscreen-moisturizer combination can double as a cleanser if you’re using a gentle formula.
Best Types of Cleansers:
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Gentle, non-foaming cleansers for sensitive skin (e.g., CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser)
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Foaming cleansers for oily skin (e.g., La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Cleanser)
Final Thoughts
This evidence-based skincare routine is simple but effective. You don’t need expensive, trendy products—just science-backed essentials:
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Moisturizer to maintain your skin barrier.
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Sunscreen to prevent aging and damage.
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Retinoid to improve texture and reduce wrinkles.
With consistent use, your skin will stay healthy, youthful, and radiant for years to come. Start small, stay consistent, and enjoy the results.
