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How to Choose Skincare
Start with your skin type. Oily skin usually prefers foaming cleansers and gel moisturisers; dry skin prefers creamy cleansers and richer creams; sensitive skin does best with short, fragrance-free ingredient lists.
Pick one main concern. Acne, blackheads, dullness and dryness each have a different best treatment. Choosing one active and giving it eight to twelve weeks tells you far more than rotating several at once.
Build the routine in order. Cleanser, treatment, moisturiser, and sunscreen in the morning. At night, skip the sunscreen and use your treatment. That is enough for most people.
Introduce one product at a time. Adding a new product every two weeks makes it easy to see what works and what causes irritation.
Simple Routines Using These Picks
Oily or acne-prone: CeraVe Foaming Cleanser, The Ordinary Niacinamide or Paula’s Choice BHA, Neutrogena Hydro Boost, EltaMD UV Clear.
Dry: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, a daily SPF 30+.
Sensitive: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleanser, COSRX Snail Mucin, CeraVe PM Lotion, EltaMD UV Clear.
FAQ
What is the most important skincare product?
Daily sunscreen. It protects against sunburn and helps prevent the dark marks and visible ageing that many other products try to fix.
How many products do I need?
Three to four is enough for most people: cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen and, if needed, one treatment.
Can I use niacinamide and vitamin C together?
Most people can. If your skin feels irritated, use vitamin C in the morning and niacinamide at night.
How long before I see results?
Moisturisers feel better within days. Treatments for acne, texture or tone usually need eight to twelve weeks of consistent use.
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