Skincare Routine for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to Glowing Skin
A simple, step-by-step breakdown of skincare essentials, from understanding your skin type to getting the order right.
If you’re new to skincare, the sheer number of products, steps and opinions can feel overwhelming rather than welcoming. Ten-step routines, trending ingredients and conflicting advice often make it seem like good skin requires constant trial and error or specialist knowledge. In reality, effective skincare is built on consistency, not excess.
This guide strips things back. It explains what each step actually does, how to choose products for your skin type, and how to layer skincare in a way that feels logical and achievable. Think of it as a routine you can come back to every day, refine over time and adapt as your skin changes.
Written by: Dawn Rajah - Published: 12.01.25
Why a Skincare Routine Matters
A skincare routine isn’t about chasing perfection. At its core, it’s about supporting what your skin already does best: cleansing away daily build-up, keeping hydration levels steady, protecting against environmental stressors and encouraging natural renewal.
Consistency matters far more than complexity. A handful of well-chosen skincare products used regularly will do more for your skin than constantly switching formulas. Over time, a steady routine can help improve common concerns such as breakouts, dryness, dullness and early signs of ageing by keeping the skin barrier balanced and resilient.
A good routine also works quietly in the background. Daily protection, particularly from UV exposure, helps limit long-term damage that isn’t always visible straight away but builds up over time.
How to Identify Your Skin Type (Before You Buy Anything)
Understanding your skin type is one of the most helpful steps you can take before investing in products. It shapes everything from texture and finish to ingredient choices and how your skin responds to active formulas.
The five main skin types:
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Normal: Generally balanced, with minimal dryness or oiliness and few reactions.
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Dry: Often feels tight after cleansing and may look flaky or rough.
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Oily: Develops shine quickly, especially through the T-zone, and is more prone to breakouts.
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Combination: Oily in some areas (usually the T-zone) and dry or normal elsewhere.
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Sensitive: Reacts easily to products, with redness, stinging or irritation.
How to check at home:
Cleanse your face and avoid applying any products. After 30–60 minutes, take note of how your skin feels:
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Tightness usually points to dryness
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Shine suggests oil production
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Redness or discomfort maybe indicate sensitivity
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A mix of sensations often signals combination skin
One common misconception is that oily skin doesn’t need hydration. In reality, oil and water are different things. Skin can be oily yet dehydrated, which is why lightweight moisturisers still play an important role.
4 Essential Steps in a Beginner’s Skincare Routine (AM & PM)
At its simplest, a beginner skincare routine comes down to four core steps. These give you a reliable framework to start with, whether you prefer to keep things minimal or plan to add targeted treatments later on.
Step 1 – Cleanse
Cleansing clears away dirt, oil, makeup and sunscreen, giving your skin a clean base for everything that follows.
In the morning, it helps refresh the skin and remove overnight oil build-up. In the evening, it washes away the day and preps your skin for repair while you sleep.
You’ll often hear about double cleansing online. This simply means using an oil-based cleanser first to break down makeup or SPF, followed by a water-based cleanser to properly clean the skin. It can be useful at night if you wear makeup or heavier sunscreen, but it’s not essential for everyone.
Choosing the right cleanser:
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Gel or foaming cleansers: Best suited to oily or combination skin
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Cream or lotion cleansers: A better match for dry or sensitive skin
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Oil cleansers: Great for removing makeup and suitable for most skin types when rinsed thoroughly
Step 2 – Tone (Optional but Useful)
Toner is often misunderstood. Modern formulas aren’t about stripping the skin, but about helping restore balance and prepping it for hydration.
Hydrating toners add lightweight moisture and help calm the skin, while clarifying toners may include gentle exfoliating acids to manage oil and congestion.
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Oily or acne-prone skin may benefit from toners with mild exfoliating ingredients
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Dry or sensitive skin is usually better suited to soothing, alcohol-free formulas
Toner can be applied with a cotton pad or pressed straight into the skin with clean hands — it really comes down to personal preference.
Step 3 – Moisturise
Moisturising is essential for every skin type. It helps lock in hydration and supports the skin barrier, which in turn reduces sensitivity and water loss.
Day creams are typically lighter and designed to sit comfortably under makeup, while night creams are often richer and focused on overnight repair.
Key ingredients to look out for:
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Ceramides: Help strengthen the skin barrier
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Glycerin: Draws moisture into the skin
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Hyaluronic acid: Maintains hydration without feeling heavy
Texture matters more than price. Gel or lotion formulas tend to suit oilier skin, while creams and balms work better for dry or compromised skin.
Step 4 – Sunscreen (AM Only)
Daily sunscreen is a non-negotiable step. UV exposure plays a major role in premature ageing, uneven skin tone and long-term skin damage.
An SPF 30 or higher offers reliable daily protection. UVA rays can pass through clouds and windows, which is why sunscreen matters even on overcast days or when you’re mostly indoors.
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Mineral sunscreens sit on the skin’s surface and reflect UV rays
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Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and convert them into heat
Ultimately, the best sunscreen is one you’ll use consistently. Look for a texture that fits easily into your routine. For a more in-depth breakdown, see our Complete Sunscreen Guide.
Optional Steps Once You’re Comfortable
Once the basics feel second nature, you might want to introduce a few targeted products. The key here is to go slowly and add things one at a time, so your skin has a chance to adjust.
Serums
Serums are concentrated treatments designed to tackle specific skin concerns.
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Vitamin C (AM): Helps boost brightness and provides antioxidant protection
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Hyaluronic acid (PM): Adds hydration without feeling heavy
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Retinol (PM): Supports skin renewal and can help with breakouts and early signs of ageing, but should be introduced gradually
If you’re just starting out, avoid layering multiple active serums at once. Keeping things simple helps reduce the risk of irritation.
Exfoliants
Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and smooth the skin’s texture. For most skin types, once or twice a week is more than enough.
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AHAs (such as glycolic or lactic acid) suit dry or dull skin
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BHAs (like salicylic acid) work deeper in the pores and are better for oily or acne-prone skin
More isn’t better here. Over-exfoliating can weaken the skin barrier, so frequency matters far more than strength.
Eye Cream
Eye cream isn’t essential, but some people like using one for extra, targeted hydration.
Ingredients such as caffeine and peptides can help with puffiness or fine lines. Lightweight, fragrance-free formulas are usually the safest choice for the delicate eye area.
Skincare Routine Order Cheat Sheet
Morning
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Cleanser
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Toner (optional)
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Serum (optional)
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Moisturiser
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Sunscreen
Evening
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Cleanser (double cleanse if needed)
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Toner
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Treatment serum (optional)
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Moisturiser or night cream
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many skincare issues come from doing too much, rather than too little.
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Skipping sunscreen because the weather feels dull or overcast
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Introducing too many active ingredients at once
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Cleansing or exfoliating too often
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Forgetting to patch test new products
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Changing your routine before giving products time to work
Most skincare products need several weeks of consistent use before results start to show.
FAQs
What are the basic steps in a skincare routine?
Cleanse, moisturise and protect with sunscreen. Toners and serums can be added once the basics feel familiar and manageable.
How do I figure out my skin type?
Cleanse your skin, wait around an hour without applying products, then note how it feels. Oiliness, tightness and sensitivity are useful indicators.
Do I really need sunscreen every day?
Yes. UVA exposure happens daily, even on cloudy days or when you’re indoors.
What skincare ingredients should beginners avoid?
Strong acids and high-strength retinoids are best introduced later. It’s usually better to start with gentler formulas.
In what order should I apply skincare products?
Apply products from the lightest to the heaviest textures, finishing with sunscreen in the morning.
At what age should I start a skincare routine?
A simple routine can start in the teenage years, with a focus on cleansing, moisturising and sun protection.
How long should I trial a skincare routine before changing it?
Give it at least four to six weeks before deciding whether something is working for you.
Do I need separate moisturisers for day and night?
Not always, though many people prefer lighter textures during the day and richer formulas at night.
What’s the difference between a serum and a moisturiser?
Serums target specific concerns, while moisturisers focus on hydration and supporting the skin barrier.
How often should I exfoliate?
One to two times per week is enough for most skin types.