How to build a skincare routine that actually works
Forget 12-step routines. Three steps — cleanse, treat, protect — done consistently, beat everything else.
The skincare industry profits from complexity. The truth is simpler: three steps, done consistently, outperform any 12-step shelf.
1. Cleanse — without stripping
Your barrier is your skin's whole defence. A cleanser that leaves skin “squeaky clean” has usually stripped it. Choose a gentle, pH-respecting formula — gel for oily and combination skin, oil-to-milk for dry and sensitive.
2. Treat — one active at a time
Pick the active that matches your primary concern. Peptides for firmness. Glycolic or lactic acid for texture and dark spots (2–3 evenings a week, never more). Niacinamide and antioxidants like ginkgo biloba for daily defence. Introduce one at a time and give it four weeks before judging.
3. Protect — every single morning
Moisturiser locks the work in; SPF keeps it. UV exposure is the single largest driver of visible aging — protection beats correction, always.
Not sure where to start? Take the 60-second Skin Quiz and we'll build your ritual around your skin.