Table of Contents

SKIN HEALTH SKIN CARE & CLEANSING

PRODUCTS

Building a Healthy Skin-

Care Routine
By Rachel Macpherson Medically reviewed by
Casey Gallagher, MD Updated on July 02, 2021

Table of Contents
Skin Type

Morning Routine

Evening Routine

Weekly Routine

If you're unsure how to establish a skin-care

routine, a great place to start is by identifying
your skin type. While your skin-care needs
may change as you age and as the seasons
change, knowing your skin-care type will
always help you maintain healthy skin.

kate_sept2004 / Getty Images

Determining Your Skin Type

Your skin type will be your guide to choosing
the right products and routine. They
include: [1]

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Normal skin: No issues with dryness,

oiliness, or sensitivity

Dry skin: Rough, dry skin that `akes or

scales

Oily skin
skin: Large pores with skin that feels
greasy. Your face is often shiny, and you're
prone to breakouts.

Combination skin: May have dry patches

on the cheeks and oily patches—typically on
the T-zone of your nose, chin, and forehead

Sensitive skin: Reacts to makeup or skin

products with itchiness, burning, or
redness. According to an article in Frontiers
in Medicine, almost 70% of women and
60% of men report having sensitive skin. [2]

Learn More: What Are the DiNerent Skin

Types?

Consult Your Doctor

If you suspect you have allergies, check
with your doctor before using products
containing lanolin or mineral oil.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding,

consult your doctor before using
retinoids. [3]

Morning Routine
For a basic morning skin-care routine, follow
these steps:

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1. Clean your face with a gentle cleanser that

does not strip away any natural oils.

2. Apply a serum, moisturizer, or oil.

3. Apply sunscreen.

The products you choose should be based on

your skin type.

Normal Skin
Cleanser: Choose something gentle, such
as micellar water, which contains dirt-
attracting molecules. You simply swipe it
over your skin, with no need to rinse. You
can also use a foaming cleanser, a cream-
or lotion-based cleanser, or a cleansing
balm. Cleansing balms made with
ingredients like nourishing oils and
antioxidants are particularly beneScial for
mature skin.

Serum: Serums are available for a wide

variety of specialized treatments. Choose
one that suits your concerns, whether that
is antiaging or moisturizing. Look for
ingredients such as antioxidants,
nourishing oils, or retinol.

Moisturizer: Just as with your serum,

choose a moisturizer that addresses
concerns you have and oNers a dose of
antioxidants.

Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen every day

before going outside. Use a broad-spectrum,
water-resistant sunscreen with a sun
protection factor of 30 (SPF 30) or higher. If
you wear moisturizer under your makeup,
opt for a moisturizer that contains
sunscreen.

Dry Skin
Cleanser: Choose one that is gentle and
fragrance-free and use just enough for a
light lather without too many suds. A
cream- or lotion-based cleanser works best.
Blot dry with a towel and immediately apply
moisturizer.

Serum and moisturizer: The key to

preventing dry skin is to trap moisture. Use
a cream or ointment rather than a lotion for
dry skin. Ingredients to look for include
shea butter, jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid,
glycerin, and lanolin.

Sunscreen
Sunscreen: Use a fragrance-free sunscreen
of SPF 30 or higher.

Oily Skin
Cleanser: Use a foaming cleanser that is
free of alcohol and oil. You do not need
harsh cleansers that strip the skin’s natural
oils. One that breaks down dirt and oil that
is gentle on your skin is best to prevent
irritation and breakouts.

Serum and moisturizer: Avoid any oil-

based serums or moisturizers. Choose those
without fragrance that are labeled
noncomedogenic, which will not clog pores.

Sunscreen: Sunscreen can aggravate acne-

prone skin and cause breakouts, but it is
vital for protecting your skin. Choosing zinc
oxide– or titanium dioxide–based barrier
sunscreens will help. Make sure you select
one without oils or fragrances.

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Sensitive Skin
Cleanser: Using an oil for cleansing
sensitive skin may help. A pure oil such as
argan or jojoba can dissolve dirt and grime
without additives that may aggravate the
skin. You can also use a very mild liquid
cleanser with no fragrance added.

Serum and moisturizer: The fewer

products you use if you have sensitive skin,
the easier it is to determine what may
irritate you. Stick to a single product that
has few ingredients and is fragrance-free. If
your skin stings or burns after using a
product, discontinue use.

Sunscreen: A barrier-based sunscreen with

zinc oxide or titanium dioxide may be best.
These sunscreens sit on top of the skin,
acting like a shield. Avoid products with
fragrance.

Combination Skin
For combination skin, you may need to treat
the speciSc dry or oily areas with diNerent
products. Otherwise, stick to a gentle foaming
cleanser and apply moisturizer and sunscreen
daily. Avoid any products that cause breakouts
or dry out your skin further.

Adverse Effects
Discontinue using any skin-care product
that results in burning, itching, redness,
swelling, or pain. Tell your doctor about
any adverse eNects you may experience.

Evening Routine

For a basic evening skin-care routine, follow

these steps:

1. Cleanse your skin, using a makeup

remover, if needed.

2. Apply a balancing toner by saturating a

cotton ball or pad and swiping it all over
your face.

3. Apply a serum or moisturizing night

cream, or both, if desired.

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Choose products that work for your skin type.

Morning vs. Evening Cleansing

Products
You can use the same cleansing products
for your evening routine as you do in the
morning.

Normal Skin
Toner: Choose a toner that addresses any
skin concerns you have. Hydroxy acids help
with ultraviolet (UV) damage, while ones
with antioxidants—like vitamins C and E—
can treat free radical damage and scarring.

Serum or moisturizer: Choose a serum or

moisturizer that is meant for overnight use.
A vitamin A–based cream, for example, can
help with collagen production, while retinol
helps Sght signs of aging.

Dry Skin
Toner: Skip this step, or use a toner that
oNers hydrating beneSts. Avoid alcohol-
based toners.

Serum or moisturizer: Oil-in-water

formulations such as lightweight gels,
lotions, and serums are ideal for normal to
dry skin. Water-in-oil formulations may be
labeled as ointments or creams and are
extra hydrating for dry skin.

Oily Skin
Toner: Use a toner that is gentle and
balancing, avoiding alcohol-based toners or
those with oil. Search for noncomedogenic
formulations.

Serum or moisturizer: Choose an oil-free,

noncomedogenic moisturizer. Choose
products with antioxidants such as
resveratrol, quercetin, and cinnamic acid
that can help reduce in`ammatory
breakouts.

Sensitive Skin
Toner: Skip this step, or use a very mild,
natural toner.

Serum or moisturizer: Moisturizers

containing humectants—such as glycerin
and hyaluronic acid—work well for
sensitive skin. Preventing moisture loss
with creams containing barrier molecules
like petrolatum and dimethicone can also
help.

Combination Skin
Combination skin types should use products
that do not aggravate or irritate their skin
condition. Consider applying separate products
on diNerent areas of the face.

Weekly Routine
Certain products and skin-care routine
methods should only be performed once a week
or so. This includes exfoliating treatments that
are mechanical or chemical, which are deSned
as follows:

Mechanical exfoliation uses a physical

scrub such as ground nuts, pumice, beads, a
roller, brush, or sponge to slough oN dead
skin cells.

Chemical exfoliation uses chemicals to

break down the skin cells and includes
glycolic, lactic, alpha hydroxy, and beta
hydroxy acids (including salicylic acid).

Choose your method and frequency of

exfoliating treatments based on your skin type.
Dry, sensitive, acne-prone skin types should
avoid mechanical exfoliation and use a mild
chemical exfoliating product such as alpha
hydroxy acid, beta hydroxy acid, glycolic acid,
or lactic acid. Mandelic acid is a safe choice for
sensitive skin.

Your Skin as You Age

As you get older, your skin thins, loses its
elasticity, can become more sensitive, and
is more prone to drying out. This can
impact your skin’s appearance and cause a
change in skin type. [4]

A Word From Verywell

Skin-care needs diNer from person to person,
and what works for you may not work for
someone else. A good practice is to record all
products you use and stick to them for several
weeks to monitor results and potential
reactions.

Many factors contribute to healthy skin, such

as getting adequate sleep, lowering stress
levels, avoiding sun exposure, eating nutritious
foods, and not smoking. Maintain healthy
habits for healthier, glowing skin.

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