Before you start
- A gentle cleanser
- A moisturiser suited to your skin
- A broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
Method 1 Find your skin type
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Step 1: Do the bare-face test
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, pat it dry and wait about 30 minutes without applying anything.
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Step 2: Read the results
Dry: feels tight, may flake. Oily: shiny all over. Combination: shiny forehead, nose and chin (the T-zone), normal or dry cheeks. Normal: comfortable, little shine. Sensitive: often stings, itches or turns red with products.
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Step 3: Note any concerns
Also note what you’d like to improve, such as breakouts, dark spots, dullness or fine lines. This guides any extra products later.
Method 2 Morning routine
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Step 1: Cleanse
Wash with lukewarm water and a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. For dry or sensitive skin, rinsing with water alone in the morning can be enough.
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Step 2: Moisturise
Apply a moisturiser while your skin is slightly damp. Choose a light, oil-free gel or lotion for oily skin, and a richer cream for dry skin.
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Step 3: Apply sunscreen
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, even when it’s cloudy and on darker skin tones. Apply a generous amount, about two finger-lengths for the face and neck, as the last step.
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Step 4: Reapply when outdoors
Reapply every 2 hours when you’re outside, and after swimming or sweating.
Method 3 Night routine
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Step 1: Remove makeup and sunscreen
Use a cleansing balm, oil or micellar water first if you wore makeup or sunscreen, then follow with your normal cleanser (a “double cleanse”).
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Step 2: Apply a treatment (optional)
If you use an active ingredient, such as a retinoid for acne and ageing, apply it to dry skin at night.
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Step 3: Moisturise
Finish with moisturiser to support your skin barrier overnight.
| Ingredient | Helps with | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Niacinamide | Oiliness, redness, uneven tone | Gentle; suits most skin types |
| Salicylic acid (BHA) | Blackheads, breakouts | Start 2–3 times a week |
| Retinoids (retinol, adapalene) | Acne, fine lines, texture | Use at night, start slowly; avoid in pregnancy unless a doctor advises |
| Vitamin C | Dullness, dark spots | Use in the morning under sunscreen |
| Hyaluronic acid, glycerin | Dehydration | Apply to damp skin, then moisturise |
| Ceramides | Dry, sensitive, damaged barrier | Look for them in moisturisers |
Method 4 Add products the right way
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Step 1: Patch test first
Apply a small amount behind your ear or on your inner arm for a few days. Stop if you get redness, itching or swelling.
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Step 2: One change at a time
Introduce one new product every two weeks or so, so you know what helps and what causes a reaction.
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Step 3: Apply in order
As a rule, apply thinnest to thickest: cleanser, serum or treatment, moisturiser, then sunscreen in the morning.
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Step 4: Be patient
Most products take about 6 weeks (one skin cycle or more) to show results.
Troubleshooting
My skin stings after a new product
Stop using it and go back to a gentle cleanser and moisturiser until your skin calms down. Reintroduce actives slowly, every few nights.
I’m breaking out more after starting a retinoid
Some “purging” in the first few weeks is common. If it’s painful or lasts more than 6–8 weeks, ask a doctor or pharmacist.
Sunscreen leaves a white cast
Try a tinted mineral sunscreen or a chemical (organic) filter sunscreen, which are usually invisible on deeper skin tones.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need sunscreen if I have dark skin?
Yes. Darker skin has more natural protection, but still burns and gets sun damage and dark spots. Daily sunscreen helps prevent uneven tone.
Is expensive skincare better?
Not necessarily. Many affordable cleansers, moisturisers and sunscreens work just as well. Ingredients and consistency matter more than price.
Should oily skin skip moisturiser?
No. Use a light, oil-free moisturiser; skipping it can make skin feel tight and look oilier.
Summary
Keep it simple: a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser for your skin type, and daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen in the morning; cleanse and moisturise again at night. Add one treatment at a time, patch test new products, give them about 6 weeks, and see a professional for severe acne or changing moles.
