Build your
skincare routine
Pick your skin type and concerns. Get a morning and night routine in the right order, with nothing that clashes.
- 1Your skin
- 2Your day
- 3Your routine
Your dayFrom waking up to bed, in order
Ingredient types, not brands. Every active is checked against the others with our pair verdicts.
Everything in this tool, in full
The 3 steps every routine needs
Whatever your skin type, a dermatologist-backed routine starts here. Everything else is optional.
Cleanse
A gentle cleanser lifts off the dirt, oil and makeup that can clog pores. Wash when you wake up, before bed and after sweating, with fingertips and lukewarm water. In the morning, water alone can do. AAD 35AAD 3AAD 9
Skincare steps in order
Go from the thinnest product to the thickest. Retinoids go on at night because sunlight can break them down and they can irritate. Cleveland Clinic 29Cleveland Clinic 36
Morning
- Cleanser
- Serumoptional, e.g. vitamin C
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreenalways last
Night
- Makeup removerif you wear makeup
- Cleanser
- Treatmentoptional, e.g. a retinoid
- Moisturizer
How long until it works
Most products need weeks, some need months. Here is roughly when to expect a change, from day one.
- MoisturizerRight away, but only while it’s on: it plumps skin so lines look softer. Mayo Clinic 11
- Retinoid side effectsRedness and dryness from adapalene are most likely in the first few weeks. FDA label 21
- Anti-aging creamsUp to 6 weeks of daily use before a difference shows. Mayo Clinic 11
- Acne treatmentsJudge after 6–8 weeks; full results take 2–3 months, and acne can look worse first. AAD 7Mayo Clinic 19
- Azelaic acidAcne starts improving after about a month, and keeps improving up to 6 months. DermNet 28
- Dark spotsOften 6–12 months to fade once the cause has stopped. AAD 27
Beginner mistakes
- 01Buying the whole kit
Every extra product costs money and adds a chance of irritation or an allergic rash. Three steps are enough to start. AAD 9
- 02Paying for the price tag
An expensive product isn’t necessarily a better one. Look for ingredients backed by studies instead. Cleveland Clinic 36Mayo Clinic 11
- 03Starting everything at once
Bring in one new product at a time, so if your skin reacts you know which one did it. Cleveland Clinic 36DermNet 1
- 04Giving up after a week
Swapping products every week irritates skin and never lets one work. Most need weeks, acne treatments months. AAD 7Mayo Clinic 19
- 05Scrubbing
Scrubbing irritates skin and can make acne worse. Fingertips and a mild cleanser are all it takes. AAD 35
- 06Ignoring the date
Check expiration dates, keep lids closed, and store products somewhere dry, away from direct sun. AAD 9
Routines by skin type
Each page goes deeper: how to tell your type, what to look for, what to avoid. Find your skin type.
One face scan. Your whole routine, sorted.
This page answered your question. MySkincare starts from your own skin, and the products you already use.
- 1Scan your face3 photos: front, left profile, right profile.
- 2See your skin scoreFree6 zones scored separately: forehead, eye area, T-zone, both cheeks, chin.
- 3Scan your productsIt reads each ingredient list and says: keep it, watch it or replace it.
- 4Follow your routineMorning and night, checked so your products work together. With reminders.
Questions people ask
What is a basic skincare routine?
Three steps: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer suited to your skin type, and a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen in the morning. At night, cleanse and moisturize. That covers the basics for most people.
What order should skincare steps go in?
From the thinnest product to the thickest. Morning: cleanser, any serum, moisturizer, then sunscreen last. Night: cleanser, any treatment such as a retinoid, then moisturizer. Our routine order tool sorts your own products.
Why are morning and night routines different?
Mornings are about protection: sunscreen, plus an antioxidant serum such as vitamin C if you use one. Nights are for washing the day off and for treatments like retinoids, which dermatologists advise using at night only.
Is a skincare routine different for men?
The steps are the same, and skin type matters more than sex. If you shave, moisturize right after the shave instead of using an alcohol-based aftershave.
How many products do I need?
Fewer than most kits sell. The AAD advises keeping the number of products low, since each extra one costs more and adds a chance of irritation.
Sources
- Pair verdicts from our ingredient mixer (FDA labels, studies, or expert consensus where no study exists)
American Academy of Dermatologyaad.org
- How to control oily skin (2024)
Wash up to twice a day and after sweating with a gentle foaming wash; oil-free, non-comedogenic products; still moisturize; blot, don’t rub; skip oil- and alcohol-based cleansers.
- Face washing 101
Gentle alcohol-free cleanser, lukewarm water, fingertips only, pat dry; twice a day and after sweating.
- How to pick the right moisturizer for your skin (2022)
Gel or none for oily skin, cream or ointment for dry skin; combination skin: moisturize the dry spots and skip the oily areas; fragrance-free for sensitive skin; ceramides and hyaluronic acid; no AHAs on dry skin.
- Sunscreen FAQs (2025)
Broad-spectrum SPF 30+; at least 1 teaspoon for the face; 15 minutes before going out; reapply every 2 hours; mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin.
- Acne, tips for managing (2022)
Gentle alcohol-free products; skip astringents, toners and scrubs; results take weeks to months; non-comedogenic SPF 30+.
- 10 skin care habits that can worsen acne
Give a product 6–8 weeks; spread treatment thinly over the whole area; wash twice a day, not all day; don’t sleep in makeup.
- Skin care on a budget (2026)
Three steps (cleanse, moisturize, protect); keep products few; water or a gentle cleanser in the morning; broad-spectrum SPF 30+; skip fragrance and drying alcohols.
- Dermatologists’ top tips for relieving dry skin (2026)
Short warm showers, moisturizer right after on damp skin, creams and ointments over lotions, fragrance-free; stop alcohol, fragrance and retinoids while skin is dry.
- 7 rosacea skin care tips dermatologists recommend (2024)
Ingredients that often irritate reactive skin; fragrance-free over “unscented”; creams over lotions and gels; mineral sunscreen; no scrubbing or exfoliating.
- Skin care tips for men
Know your skin type; mild facial cleanser instead of bar soap; moisturize after shaving; SPF 30+ on face, scalp, ears, neck and lips; new blades every 5–7 shaves.
- Retinoid or retinol? (2021)
Retinoids at night only, every other night to start, sun protection by day; people with dryness are probably not good candidates; start slowly, with moisturizer; lowest strength for sensitive skin; not in pregnancy.
- What can treat large facial pores?
Non-comedogenic, oil-free products; salicylic acid cleanser (if it dries, a mild cleanser in the morning and the salicylic acid one before bed); retinol at bedtime; daily SPF 30+; never scrub or squeeze.
- How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones (2025)
Tinted SPF 30+ with iron oxides; azelaic acid, glycolic acid, retinoids and vitamin C can fade spots; irritation can cause new ones; 6–12 months to fade.
- 6 razor bump prevention tips (2022)
Shave daily, or at least every 2–3 days; shave softened hair with the grain; moisturizing shaving cream; cool washcloth after; replace blades after 5–7 shaves.
- Razor bump remedies for men with darker skin tones (2022)
Shave daily, or at least every 2 to 3 days; single-blade or electric razor; never dry shave; no more than two passes; aftershave made to reduce bumps; a beard clears most bumps in about 3 months.
- 10 skin care secrets for healthier-looking skin (2024)
Daily SPF 30+ (“the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth”); match products to your skin type; wash on waking, before bed and after sweating; don’t scrub.
Cleveland Clinicclevelandclinic.org
- How often should you wash your face? (2025)
Twice a day for oily and combination skin; water in the morning and cleanser at night for dry or sensitive skin; overwashing dries skin.
- Skin care for men (2022)
Testosterone can make skin oilier; skin type matters more than sex; pH-balanced cleanser, not bar soap; moisturizer instead of alcohol aftershave; vitamin C AM, retinol PM.
- What is my skin type and why does it matter? (2024)
The 30-minute test after washing; the T-zone; sensitive is about reactions; lower strengths for combination skin; avoid benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid on sensitive skin.
- 8 tips for getting rid of oily skin (2023)
Genetics, age, hormones, humidity and stress raise oil; harsh, drying products can increase it; blot, don’t rub.
- The correct order for skin care products (2025)
Thinnest to thickest; vitamin C serum in the morning under sunscreen (it doesn’t replace it); retinoid at night; sunscreen last.
- Sensitive skin (2025)
Symptoms, common triggers (scented products, soaps, detergents, wool, heat, wind), links with rosacea and eczema, when to see a doctor.
- Easy steps for a simple skin care routine (2025)
Morning: cleanser, optional antioxidant, sunscreen; night: makeup remover, cleanser, vitamin A cream; add one product at a time; price doesn’t predict results.
Mayo Clinicmayoclinic.org
- Wrinkle creams, your guide to younger looking skin (2026)
Retinol, vitamin C and niacinamide may bring small improvements; daily SPF 30+ is the more reliable step; up to 6 weeks to see a change.
- Dry skin, symptoms and causes (2026)
Tightness, flaking, fine lines, cracks, ashy look on brown and Black skin; hot showers, harsh soaps, low humidity, age over 40; when to see a doctor.
- Skin care, 5 tips for healthy skin (2024)
Short warm showers, mild cleansers, pat dry; shave after bathing, with the grain, with a clean sharp razor.
- Nonprescription acne treatment, which products work best? (2024)
Benzoyl peroxide 2.5–10%: lower strengths work as well as higher ones, start at 2.5%; adapalene 0.1%, salicylic acid 0.5–2%, azelaic acid 10%; one product in the morning, a different one at night, to help prevent irritation; 2–3 months for full results.
DermNetdermnetnz.org
- Sensitive skin (2026)
About 60–70% of women and 50–60% of men report sensitive skin; soap-free cleansers; avoid exfoliants and fragrance; one new product at a time.
- Nicotinamide
A 2% niacinamide moisturizer reduced facial oil; niacinamide moisturizers improved the barrier and cut irritant reactions; studies on fine lines and blotchiness; well tolerated, often by people who can’t tolerate retinoids.
- Azelaic acid
Used for acne, rosacea and dark marks; start once a day, build to twice; may itch or burn; very sensitive skin may find it irritating.
NHSnhs.uk
- Emollients (2023)
Lotions, creams and ointments; ointments for very dry skin and at night; apply right after washing; keep emollients away from flames.
Electronic Code of Federal Regulationsecfr.gov
- FDA OTC acne monograph, 21 CFR 333 subpart D
Benzoyl peroxide 2.5–10% and salicylic acid 0.5–2%; start with one application daily; dryness and irritation more likely with another topical acne medicine at the same time; benzoyl peroxide: not for very sensitive skin, bleaches fabric.
DailyMed, US National Library of Medicinedailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA label (DailyMed): Differin Gel, adapalene 0.1%
Once a day, thin layer over the whole affected area; irritation most likely in the first weeks or with more than one topical acne medicine at a time; use sunscreen; a moisturizer may help.
US Food and Drug Administrationfda.gov
- Beta hydroxy acids
Use sun protection with salicylic acid products; test on a small area first.
Studies and other sources
- Al-Niaimi & Chiang, J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2017: Topical vitamin C and the skinjcadonline.com
L-ascorbic acid needs a pH below 3.5 to get into skin; useful products are 10–20%; stronger ones may irritate; it reduces pigmentation.
- Adv Ther, 2022: review of retinoids in topical anti-aging treatmentlink.springer.com
Retinol formulations from 0.075% to 0.5% were tested for anti-aging; 0.3% is the maximum recommended concentration in face creams and other cosmetics.