A good skincare routine does not need ten steps. For most people three products cover the basics: a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil and make-up, a moisturiser that suits their skin, and a sunscreen during the day. Everything else, from serums to face masks, is optional.
The hardest part is choosing from thousands of products. The way through is to start from your skin type, buy one product for each step, and give your skin a few weeks before you judge the result. Change one thing at a time so you know what made the difference.
This guide covers the three core steps, how to read SPF and UVA labels, and how to add extras such as serums without overloading your skin. For hair, see the guide to choosing shampoo and conditioner.
Start with your skin type
| Skin type | How it feels | Look for |
|---|---|---|
| Dry | Tight after washing, flaky patches | Cream cleansers, richer moisturisers |
| Oily | Shiny by midday, visible pores | Gel or foam cleansers, light lotions or gels |
| Combination | Oily forehead and nose, normal or dry cheeks | Gentle gel cleanser, light moisturiser, richer cream on dry areas |
| Normal | Comfortable most of the day | Almost any gentle product |
| Sensitive | Stings, itches or reddens easily | Short ingredient lists, fragrance-free products |
Skin changes with the seasons, so many people use a lighter moisturiser in summer and a richer one in winter. If you are unsure, start with products labelled for sensitive skin and move on from there.
Step 1: cleanser
A cleanser should leave your skin clean but not tight or squeaky. Washing with a harsh product can strip the skin’s natural oils and leave it dry or irritated.
- Cream and milk cleansers suit dry and sensitive skin.
- Gel and foam cleansers suit oily and combination skin.
- Micellar water is handy for removing make-up, but many people follow it with a wash or rinse.
- Clay cleansers are aimed at oily skin and are usually used once a day or a few times a week.
Use lukewarm rather than hot water and pat your face dry. Twice a day is enough for most people, and in the morning a splash of water is plenty if your skin is dry. The skin care range has cleansers for every skin type.
Step 2: moisturiser
A moisturiser helps the skin hold on to water and feel comfortable. The texture matters most: gels and light lotions for oily skin, creams for dry skin. Ingredient names you will often see include:
- Glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which attract water.
- Ceramides, which are part of the skin’s own barrier.
- Shea butter and plant oils, which make richer creams feel nourishing.
- Vitamin E, used in many creams as an antioxidant ingredient. The vitamin E category has creams and oils that contain it.
Some day creams include an SPF. That is convenient, but you often apply less moisturiser than you would sunscreen, so for long days outdoors a separate sunscreen gives more reliable protection.
Step 3: sunscreen
The NHS recommends a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and at least 4-star UVA protection. The two numbers measure different things.
- SPF shows protection against UVB, the rays mainly responsible for sunburn.
- The UVA star rating, from 0 to 5, shows protection against UVA, which penetrates deeper into the skin. Some packs instead show “UVA” in a circle, which means the UVA protection is at least one third of the SPF, following an EU recommendation.
Most people apply far less sunscreen than the amount used to test it, so the real protection is lower than the label. Apply generously, reapply regularly and always after swimming, sweating or towel drying, even with a water resistant product. Choose a texture you like using, because a sunscreen you actually wear every day does more than a high factor that stays in the drawer. Fluids and gels suit oily skin, creams suit dry skin, and mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide often suit sensitive skin.
Sunscreen is one part of sun protection. Shade, clothing, a hat and sunglasses matter too, particularly in the middle of the day.
Adding extras: serums, exfoliants and masks
Once the basics are working, you can add one extra at a time:
- Vitamin C serums are popular in the morning under sunscreen. Products in the antioxidants category include several.
- Exfoliating acids such as AHAs and BHAs remove dead skin cells. Start slowly, a couple of times a week.
- Retinol products are used at night. They can make skin more sensitive at first, and many carry a reminder to use sunscreen during the day.
- Masks are an occasional treat rather than a necessity.
Apply products from the thinnest to the thickest: serum, then moisturiser, then sunscreen in the morning. Patch test anything new on a small area, such as behind the ear or on the inner arm, before using it on your face. If you are pregnant or take medication for your skin, ask a pharmacist before using retinol or strong acids.
Reading the label
The ingredient list on cosmetics runs from the largest amount to the smallest, down to ingredients present at 1% or less, which can be listed in any order. “Parfum” or “fragrance” means added scent, which is worth avoiding if your skin is sensitive. The open jar symbol with a number and the letter M shows how many months the product keeps after opening, so a 12M cream should be replaced within a year of opening. Sunscreens also have an expiry date: check it each spring.
Claims such as “anti-ageing”, “collagen boosting” or “clinically proven” describe what the brand says about the product. Compare the ingredient list and the texture rather than the claims. Creams in the collagen category, for example, vary a lot in what they actually contain.
When to see a pharmacist or doctor
Skincare products are cosmetics, not medicines. Speak to a pharmacist or GP if you have acne that leaves marks or does not improve, eczema or rashes that keep coming back, skin that reacts to most products, or a mole that changes in size, shape or colour.
Quick checklist
- Identify your skin type first.
- One cleanser, one moisturiser, one sunscreen to start.
- Sunscreen with SPF 30 or more and 4 or more UVA stars.
- Apply sunscreen generously and reapply.
- Add one extra product at a time and patch test it.
- Fragrance-free products if your skin is sensitive.
- Check the open jar symbol and sunscreen expiry dates.
Common questions
Do I need sunscreen in winter or on cloudy days?
UV rays pass through cloud, so a moisturiser or sunscreen with SPF is useful on days you spend outdoors all year round. In Ireland and the UK UV levels are highest from spring to early autumn.
Is an expensive moisturiser better than a cheap one?
Not necessarily. Price reflects brand, packaging and texture as much as ingredients. A simple, well formulated moisturiser that suits your skin type is the right one.
How long should I try a new product before deciding?
Give a cleanser or moisturiser two to four weeks unless it irritates your skin. Stop straight away if it stings, burns or causes a rash.
