The steps of my skincare routine used to completely confuse me. I would stare at the bathroom shelf, paralysed by choice. Toners, serums, moisturisers—what goes first? Do I even need all this? Does this sound familiar?
Building a skincare routine can feel like trying to decode an ancient ritual. But something shifted once I broke it down into clear, manageable steps. My skin started glowing—not overnight, but gradually, consistently. If you’re lost in the world of 10-step routines and influencer must-haves, let me walk you through what actually works.
This is how I simplified my skincare routine steps—and finally saw real results.
Step 1: Cleanse Like You Mean It
Let’s start with the authentic MVP of any routine: cleansing. For years, I thought a quick splash of water and some random face wash was enough. Spoiler: it wasn’t.
Now I take two minutes—just two!—to do it right. In the morning, I go with a gentle gel cleanser to wipe away sleep and any leftover night cream. At night, I double cleanse: first with an oil-based cleanser to melt off sunscreen and makeup, then with a water-based one to remove the grime underneath. The difference in my skin’s texture was almost immediate.
Pro Tip: If you wear makeup or SPF (and you should), double cleansing in the evening is a game-changer. Think of it as wiping the slate clean.
Step 2: Tone It Up (Not Down)
When it comes to skincare routine steps, toner used to feel like an optional one, but now it’s a step I actually look forward to. It’s that refreshing moment after cleansing that preps my skin like a freshly ironed shirt—smooth, balanced, and ready for the day.
I rotate between a hydrating toner (hello, hyaluronic acid!) in the morning and a gentle exfoliating one with AHAs or BHAs at night, depending on how my skin’s feeling. It helps my serums and moisturisers absorb better—and honestly, it feels like a little spa moment.
Quick Win: Press your toner into your skin with your hands instead of swiping with a cotton pad. It feels luxurious and saves product.
Step 3: Exfoliate Smart, Not Hard
I used to scrub my skin like I was sanding a table—no wonder it stayed red and angry. Turns out, exfoliation isn’t about intensity. It’s about timing and technique.
Now I exfoliate just twice a week with a chemical exfoliant (glycolic acid is my go-to). It gently lifts off dead skin and clears out my pores without the harshness of physical scrubs. My skin feels smoother, looks brighter, and breakouts have become rare visitors.
Pro Tip: Less is more. Over-exfoliation can break your barrier and lead to irritation. Trust me—I’ve been there.
Step 4: Treat with Targeted Serums
This is where the magic happens among the most effective skincare routine steps. Serums are your skincare’s power players—highly concentrated and super specific.
In the morning, I apply a vitamin C serum. It perks up my skin and fades those pesky post-acne spots. At night, I alternate between hyaluronic acid (for hydration) and a gentle retinol (for anti-ageing). These tiny bottles hold serious punch, and using them consistently changed my skin’s tone and texture.
Quick Win: Apply your serum while your skin is slightly damp from toner—it helps lock in hydration and boost absorption.
Step 5: Moisturise Like It’s Your Job
No matter your skin type, moisturiser isn’t optional. It seals in everything you just did and keeps your skin’s barrier strong and supple.
In the summer, I stick to a lightweight gel moisturiser. In the winter, I reach for a thicker cream that hugs my skin like a blanket. Nighttime is all about repair—so I don’t skimp there.
Real Talk: Even oily skin needs moisture. Skipping it can actually make oiliness worse as your skin tries to compensate.
Step 6: SPF Is Non-Negotiable
Of all the skincare routine steps, SPF might be the most essential because if you’re not wearing sunscreen daily, the rest of your routine is just playing catch-up. UV damage doesn’t care if it’s cloudy, cold, or if you’re indoors.
I use a broad-spectrum SPF 50 every morning, even when I’m working from home. I learned the hard way—years of unprotected sun exposure gave me uneven pigmentation and early fine lines.
Pro Tip: Find a sunscreen that doesn’t pill under makeup and feels good on your skin. That’s the one you’ll actually use.
Step 7: Special Care for Special Areas
The skin under your eyes and over your blemishes needs a little extra love. I didn’t use to believe in eye cream until I noticed my concealer creasing into fine lines. Now I dab on a caffeine-infused eye cream every morning—it wakes me up better than coffee.
For breakouts, I dot on a spot treatment with salicylic acid. If I’ve picked (guilty), I follow up with niacinamide to calm and repair.
Quick Win: Use your ring finger to apply eye cream. It’s the weakest finger and perfect for the delicate under-eye area.
Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
- Skipping SPF: Seriously—wear it. Every. Day.
- Over-exfoliating: Twice a week max. Your skin isn’t a scouring pad.
- Layering chaos: Cleanser → toner → serum → moisturiser → SPF (day only). Stick to the order.
Key Takeaways
Your skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated to work—it just needs to be yours. Start with the basics, get consistent, and tweak as you go. Focus on how your skin feels, not just how it looks. The glow? That’s just a bonus.
Start with one habit today. Your future skin will thank you.
