How to Start a Skin-Care Routine in Four Easy Steps

With so many skin-care products at your fingertips, starting a regimen from scratch can seem daunting. Here, we’ve taken some of the guesswork out of the process by sharing a simple, four-step routine that’s perfect for skin-care newbies and easy to stick to. 

According to Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com expert, when starting a skin-care routine for the first time, less is more. “If you have more than five products, stop,” he says. “It’s too much and will likely lead to dryness and even acne.” Instead, stick to cleanser, serum, moisturizer and sunscreen. 

Beginner’s Skin-Care Step 1: Cleansing

“A gentle cleanser is key to use both morning and night,” says Dr. Bhanusali. “It removes debris from the skin’s surface, cleans pores and primes the skin to absorb topical products, like moisturizers and serums, better.” If these impurities stay on the skin, they can combine with oil, clogging your pores and causing pimples and blackheads. When starting out, we recommend reaching for a gentle formula like the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser.

Beginner’s Skin-Care Step 2: Serum

After cleansing, Dr. Bhanusali advises using a serum formulated to target your unique skin concerns. “Look for one that has a formula rich in antioxidants like SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic,” he says. This serum helps fight damage from environmental stressors and improve skin tone and texture. Another option that’s great for skin-care newbies is the Kiehl’s Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum which hydrates and brightens. 

Beginner’s Skin-Care Step 3 and 4: Moisturizer and Sunscreen

A moisturizer helps replenish hydration after cleansing and seals it in for healthier skin. No skin-care routine would also be complete without a sunscreen. “It’s imperative to wear sunscreen each day and utilize products with formulas rich in antioxidants to help protect our skin from environmental aggressors such as pollution,” says Dr. Bhanusali. In the morning, you can combine both steps by reaching for a moisturizer with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, like the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30. Apply it as the final step in your skin-care routine before putting on your makeup. At night, Dr. Bhanusali suggests ending your regimen with a night cream formula that is rich in antioxidants like the Lancôme Bienfait Multi Vital Night Cream.

Photo: Chaunte Vaughn

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