In case you haven’t heard, I’m a total skincare addict. That’s probably obvious from the fact that I’ve written about almost every skin care practice under the sun, from dermaplaning and microcurrent facials to slugging and chemical peels. However, all of that can sound like straight-up gobbledegook when you’re first starting out on your skincare journey, which is why in this article I’ve decided to take things back to basics for the beginners among us. 

The thing is, a great skincare routine doesn’t have to be complex, and complex skincare routines aren’t built overnight. It’s always best to start with a very basic routine and then gradually incorporate more advanced steps over time.

The four building blocks of a good skincare routine are:

1. Cleanser
2. Serum 
3. Moisturiser 
4. SPF 

Once you get these stages in order, you’re good to go.

Step 1 – Cleanser

Of course, you need to clean your skin before you do anything else. It’s best to cleanse your face twice per day, although you may need to do this more often depending on how often you work out. 

If you have dry skin, you may be able to wash your face with just lukewarm water in the morning. However, those with oily skin will definitely want to cleanse first thing.

It’s important to cleanse as soon as possible after exercise because sweat provides the ideal climate for bacteria to reproduce, which can trigger breakouts.

Skin care experts generally agree that less is more when it comes to cleansing products. Active ingredients in cleanser may seem appealing, but they’re only on your face for 15-30 seconds at a time so you don’t need to worry about them too much; save that for leave-on products like serums and moisturisers.

The most important thing is to choose a gentle cleanser that you enjoy using. Right now, I’m obsessed with the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish. It’s a balm cleanser that you rub on your face, then remove with a muslin cloth soaked in warm water. In addition to being super gentle, it smells so good that I feel like I’m at a spa. 

Other great cleansers include SkinCeutical’s Gentle Cleanser Cream, which is an absolute pleasure to use or Youth to the People’s Kale cleanser. 

I firmly believe that good skin care is worth investing in, however, you don’t actually need to fork out for a super expensive cleanser. If you’re looking for a more budget friendly option that you can pick up at your nearest drugstore, I’d recommend Simple’s Water Boost Cleanser, which works really well for all skin types. 

Cerave has good, wallet-friendly choices too. The Foaming Cleanser is designed for oily skin whilst the Hydrating version is best if your skin is on the drier side. 

Step 2 – Serum 

There’s a serum for every skin concern under the sun, which can be a little scary if you’re just starting out. However, you really don’t need a thousand different serums to get great skin. To get you started, I recommend choosing a serum that is suitable for day and night time use. 

Here are some great serums that are suitable for all skin types:

• Vichy Liftactiv Supreme Serum 10 does it all and is suitable for basically everyone. It plumps, hydrates, smooths and boosts radiance – what more could you want?

• The world has gone crazy for the Saint Jane Luxury Beauty CBD serum. It’s actually quite difficult to get ahold of because it’s so good it keeps on selling out! But keep trying, because this formula hydrates, soothes and nourishes the skin whilst using marine actives to detoxify the pores, helping to prevent breakouts and manage acne. It’s a wonder serum that can help with virtually any skin concern.

• Paula’s Choice Niacinamide Serum. Niacinamide really is the MVP of skin care right now. It works to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and protects against environmental damage, whilst improving the appearance of pores, fine lines and an uneven skin tone. 

For more on serums, take a look at the best luxury serums for every skin concern.

Step 3 – Moisturiser 

You should apply your moisturiser after serum to lock in all of that goodness and further hydrate the skin. 

Don’t be tempted to skip moisturiser if you have oily skin because your skin can still become dehydrated which can lead to irritation, discoloration and even premature signs of ageing. Use a light lotion or gel cream to lock in moisture without overloading your face. Look for products that say “non-comedogenic” or “oil-free” on the label as these will not clog your pores and trigger breakouts. 

At the moment, I’m a huge fan of Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturiser. It’s a vegan moisturiser containing a whole host of powerful, skin-loving ingredients, such as ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier and pineapple enzymes to create a luminous, radiant glow. Best of all, it feels incredibly light and luxurious on the skin. 

La Roche Posay’s Effaclar Mat is also a great and very affordable choice for oily skin. It has a mattifying effect to prevent the dreaded shiny t-zone and it is hypoallergenic, so it won’t irritate sensitive skin. 

If you have normal to dry skin, then I highly recommend SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Cream. It has a lightweight texture but contains ceramides and fatty acids to strengthen the skin barrier and give your face a fuller, smoother look. It’s perfect for basically all skin types unless you seriously need some oil regulation. 

And finally, if you have very dry skin, try First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream. It’s so soothing and hydrating that it’s suitable to treat mild eczema but it feels much lighter than I was expecting! This is the perfect moisturiser for anyone who really struggles with dry, flaky and irritated skin, particularly during the winter.

Step 4 – SPF 

Sunscreen isn’t just for days at the beach. You should actually wear sunscreen every single day, even if you’re mostly indoors! 

The sun’s UVA and UVB rays age and damage the skin, so the best thing you can do for your skin is protect it against this. This is also super important for your overall health because using sunscreen daily helps to lower your risk of skin cancer. 

If you don’t use sunscreen, then all of the other work you’re doing to improve your skin health is basically null and void. The sun is the biggest cause of photoaging, which causes fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, uneven texture and broken capillaries. 

Now, you probably don’t love the thought of slathering your face in thick, greasy sunscreen every day. That’s okay – neither do I. Fortunately, there are many great SPF products on the market that protect your skin and feel nice to use.

La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid is perfect for all skin types. It’s light, gentle and fast-absorbing and it doesn’t leave you with a ghostly white face.

Coola Suncare’s Classic Face Organic sunscreen is clean, vegan and organic. It also contains many beneficial ingredients including white tea and plant extracts to further protect the skin against environmental damage.

I also really like Clinique Mineral sunscreen because it’s light and silky, which makes it perfect for wearing underneath makeup. It feels just like a moisturiser!

Further Reading 

So there you have it – an easy, four-step skincare routine for beginners. If you want to learn more about adding additional steps to your new routine, check out:

• How to Incorporate Retinol into Your Skincare Routine
• What You Need to Know About Peptides and How to Use Them
• Is CBD Skincare Worth the Hype?
• What is Dermarolling and Should You Try It?
• How to Perform an At-Home Facial
• What You Need to Know About Microcurrent Facials (and How to Do Them At Home)