How to Build Your Skincare Routine

Whenever I am around skincare newbies, I always get asked, “How do you build a skincare routine?”

The skincare world is filled with a dizzying array of products, brands, ingredients, and promotional claims. It can become overwhelming to figure out where to start and how to navigate the sea of options.

I’ve had a skincare routine for over 35 years, and it has evolved as my skin’s needs have changed, and as my understanding of ingredients and layering has grown. I’ve become a skincare nerd, a lover of self-care, and a firm believer in the well-deserved me-time spent with my skin.

My love of skincare has led me to develop a truly elaborate routine that covers all bases for my skin’s needs. I adapt it as needed, and I have entirely different routines for day and night. However, I’m aware that most people prefer a more streamlined approach, which is why I often suggest simplified routines. These routines are designed to improve the skin’s overall health while protecting it from environmental damage, free radicals, and daily exposure to pollution.

The 3 Basic Steps

Step 1: Cleanse

The first step in any routine is cleansing. Regardless of your skin type, your skin sheds dead cells, which can accumulate on the surface. Cleansing is essential to remove dirt, bacteria, and impurities.

You should cleanse your face twice a day: once in the morning to remove oils, sweat, and any bed residue, and again in the evening to wash away makeup, sunscreen, pollution, and exposure to the elements.

In the morning, most dermatologists and estheticians recommend a gentle cleanse with something like micellar water or a milk cleanser. In the evening, a double cleanse is highly recommended. The first cleanse removes the surface grime, while the second ensures that any remaining product is thoroughly removed, which is important to prevent clogged pores and breakouts.

For the first cleanse at night, you can use micellar water or a milk cleanser, followed by a gel-type cleanser to dislodge any tenacious pigments or residue hiding in your pores.

Pro Tip: Every cleanser, even micellar water, must be rinsed off. Failure to do so simply moves dirt around the face and allows it to settle into your pores.

Step 2: Moisturize

Moisturizing is a must for all skin types. Most moisturizers on the market today include active ingredients that help improve skin texture, tone, and overall appearance.

Moisturizers come in various textures, from gel to cream. Those with drier skin may prefer thicker creams, while oilier skin types will gravitate toward lighter, gel-based formulas. Your choice of moisturizer may also change with the seasons—lighter products in warmer weather, and richer ones in colder months.

When applying moisturizer, use upward motions on your face and gentle downward strokes on your neck, extending the product down to your chest. And for the ladies, don’t forget the décolletage!

Step 3: Sun Protection

Sun protection is crucial for daytime. Sunscreen protects your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. I recommend using a sunscreen with SPF 50, which offers the highest level of protection. Apply it 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours while outdoors.

Not all sunscreens are created equal. Some have fluid textures that leave a luminous finish, while others are thicker and may even double as a makeup primer. Choose one that suits your preference and skin needs.

Fragrance

Fragrance does nothing to hydrate or benefit the skin; it is added purely for sensory pleasure. Since companies aren’t required to disclose the ingredients in their fragrance blends, I prefer to avoid fragrance in most skincare products.

While I enjoy fragrance as a separate entity, I typically avoid spraying it directly onto my skin. Instead, I spray it onto my clothes to minimize contact. The only skincare product where I don’t mind fragrance is in cleansers, as they are rinsed off and the contact is minimal.

Alcohol

While I don’t want to spend too much time vilifying ingredients, I do strongly advise avoiding alcohol, especially denatured alcohol. This ingredient can dry out the skin and promote oxidation, which can cause long-term damage at a cellular level.

Many expensive creams are filled with it, and while some claim it evaporates before reaching the skin, I would avoid it whenever possible. In makeup, where products sit on top of the skin, alcohol is less of an issue. But in skincare, where products are meant to penetrate and heal, alcohol should be avoided.

Packaging

Packaging plays a significant role in maintaining a product’s effectiveness. As a general rule, products exposed to less air and less contact with your hands will stay potent for longer. Pump bottles and squeeze tubes are ideal for preserving product integrity and are also more travel friendly.

Pots, though iconic, expose the product to air and require dipping your fingers in, which can introduce bacteria and reduce the formula’s effectiveness over time.

Discipline

I know, discipline isn’t everyone’s favorite word, but it’s essential when establishing a consistent skincare routine. Skin operates on roughly a 30-day cycle, so it’s important to give products time to work. This is why it’s critical to stick to a routine—cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting daily to maintain healthy skin.

Skincare is a long-term investment, much like fitness. It won’t keep you young forever, but it will keep you looking refreshed at every age.

Skincare can certainly get more complex, and I’ll dive deeper into the role of active ingredients soon.

Until next time, keep defining beauty on your own terms—you are already beautiful, just as you are.

Holy Grail Skincare Products

Today, I feel like sharing some of my holy grail skincare products. These are tried-and-true formulas that I have used for a long time, and I’ve fallen in love with their performance on my skin.

I have combination-oily skin, I’m also acne-prone, and my skin gets red easily. This means I’m often searching for products that calm inflammation and treat the occasional breakout.

The first thing I will say is that ingredients matter more to me than brand names or packaging. While ingredients are always important, how they are formulated is equally crucial. This is where the texture, slip, and spread of a product are perfected.

Secondly, remember that more expensive does not equal better results. The reality is that discipline and consistency in caring for your skin will yield far better results than occasional treatments. Think of skincare like working out: the more often you work out, the fitter you become. Your body reflects the choices you make, and your skin operates similarly—just give it the time it needs to improve. You’ll be amazed by the results.

Keep in mind that your skin needs at least 30 days with a product before you can begin to see real changes. Our skin functions on a roughly 28-day cycle, so patience is key.

Another tip: you’ll notice that all the products I’m sharing today are fragrance-free. Fragrance can be irritating to the skin and is unnecessary. While it enhances the sensory experience, it offers no actual benefits for the skin. In fact, fragrances are often protected by proprietary laws, meaning companies don’t have to disclose the chemicals used to create them.

I also avoid skincare products that contain denatured alcohol or just "alcohol" in the ingredients. While alcohol disinfects and keeps the product clean, it’s terrible for oxidizing the skin and promoting damage from free radicals. The higher up alcohol appears on the ingredient list, the higher its concentration in the product.

Favorite Moisturizers

CeraVe – Moisturizing Lotion for Normal to Dry Skin
I discovered CeraVe about eight years ago, and though the clinical packaging didn’t attract me at first, after several recommendations, I gave it a try. I was pleasantly surprised by the brand’s wide variety of standout products.
This Moisturizing Lotion is a staple for me. Its simple yet effective formula includes ceramides that help restore the skin’s protective barrier. I love the pump-sized bottle, which contains 355 ml—about seven times what most companies offer for a fraction of the cost. Highly occlusive, non-comedogenic, and always gentle on my skin, I even use it on my feet, as it locks in moisture so well.

Skinfix – Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream & Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream
Out of all the higher-end moisturizers I’ve tried over the past 15 years, Skinfix stands out. Based in Canada, Skinfix focuses on restoring the skin's barrier (notice a theme here? Let’s restore our skin’s barrier 😉).
The Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream is my go-to during spring and summer. Its lightweight texture absorbs beautifully, keeps my skin clear and moisturized without causing breakouts, and leaves my skin looking plump.
In the fall and winter, I switch to the Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream for extra hydration. It instantly calms redness and provides intense moisture during the colder months.
Both creams come in refillable packaging, which makes them more cost-effective over time. For me, these are some of the few creams that are worth the investment.

Favorite Thermal Water

Uriage – Eau Thermale
A skincare secret I discovered years ago is using thermal water between each step of my routine.
Not only is it incredibly refreshing, but the thermal water is also rich in minerals that your skincare products then seal into the skin, creating a plumped appearance. I use Uriage Eau Thermale religiously, especially to soothe irritated eyes during winter. It’s also excellent for anyone using hyaluronic acid serums—lock in that extra hydration!

Favorite Eye Cream

The INKEY List – Retinol Eye Cream
I’ve been using this eye cream for at least five years, and my under-eye area doesn’t seem to age! So, for anyone who says eye creams don’t work, I beg to differ.
This gentle retinol formula is a powerhouse for rejuvenating the skin around the eyes. It contains shea butter, which moisturizes and locks in hydration. My skin feels plump and smooth after each application, and I love the texture and slip it offers.

Favorite Liquid Exfoliant

Paula’s Choice – Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
This iconic gray bottle is the best-selling product from Paula’s Choice, and for good reason. The 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is one of the most effective exfoliants I’ve used. It clears out pores without being harsh and leaves the skin hydrated and smooth. I use it every other night, and it gives my skin a gorgeous sheen—perfect for anyone aiming for that glass-skin effect.

Favorite Korean Skincare

COSRX – Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Choosing a favorite from COSRX was tough since I use several of their products daily. However, I’ve been using the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence the longest, and it’s a game-changer.
Snail mucin, while unconventional, is an incredible humectant and skin-repairing agent. It retains water and helps repair free-radical damage caused by pollution. I’ve completely replaced hyaluronic acid in my routine with this product—it’s that good.

These are the products I keep repurchasing.

While I initially discovered Skinfix through PR, I’ve become a regular customer.

I am not sponsored by any of these companies; I’m just a fan of their achievements.

Until next time, keep protecting and nourishing your beautiful skin, and remember—define your beauty on your own terms!