Basic Face Skin Care Routine – Step by Step

At some point we all ask ourselves: How do I start a skin care routine? What should I apply in the morning and at night? With so many tips and trends out there it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what actually works.

Whether you have oily, dry, normal, or combination skin, building your personalized skin care routine is essential to minimize the appearance of fine lines, acne, uneven skin tone, and sun damage.

A consistent and ordered routine not only simplifies your daily skin care but makes each product work better. In this blog we’ll cut through the noise and guide you step by step to healthy, glowing and balanced skin.

The skin-layering technique—a simple yet powerful method—ensures your skincare works smarter, not harder. Applying products in the right order ensures you get the maximum benefits from your daily routine.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to the perfect glow.

Cleanse:

Splash your face with water and use a right face cleanser (foam, cream, gel, oil) intended for your skin type. Pick a cleanser that doesn’t leave your face feeling extra dry and tight after cleansing.

Avoid washing your face more than twice a day, and don’t touch your face so often to prevent common skin care problems like clogged pores and acne. This is the first essential step in your basic face skin care routine.

Exfoliate:

Exfoliation is a way to remove the dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. It brightens your complexion and let the serum and moisturizers properly penetrate your skin. Just like skincare routines, exfoliants come with different specialties.

When using physical exfoliants like cleansing brush, sponge, or a facial scrub, it’s essential to keep your strokes light while applying it onto your face in circular motions and avoid the eye area.

Chemical exfoliants, like AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, gently dissolve dead skin cells, unclog pores, and improve texture without scrubbing. AHAs brighten and smooth, BHAs penetrate deeper to control oil and acne, while PHAs offer a gentle glow boost for sensitive skin.

Physical exfoliants manually scrub away dead skin cells from the surface, while chemical exfoliants penetrate deeper to dissolve them at the cellular level. When used regularly with sunscreen, they help maintain clear, radiant skin

There is no need to exfoliate more than twice a week.

Toner:

Apply a small amount of toner to a cotton ball or pad and then wipe through the skin besides toners can also be applied directly to the surface by pouring into the palm of your hands and then pressed on gently.

Toners not only help in rebalancing the pH levels of the skin but also shrink pores, hydrate and cleanse the skin.

Serum:

Generally, facial serums should be applied twice a day before moisturizing your skin. Serums are intended to penetrate deeper into the skin to add radiance, keep your skin firm, and tighten your skin.

Serums can be used to tackle specific skin care concerns like wrinkles, dullness and signs of aging. For best results, choose serums packed with active ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or retinol.

Vitamin C –

Brightens the skin tone, corrects uneven skin tone, and fights free radicals. Best applied in the morning under sunscreen for daytime protection (avoid nighttime use).

Hyaluronic Acid –

A natural hydrator that deeply moisturizes and plumps the skin, reducing the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles; safe for both morning and nighttime use, it works best when layered under thicker creams.

Retinol –

Retinol boosts collagen production and enhances skin texture—but should only be used at night. Always do a patch test first. For sensitive skin, try the ‘Retinol sandwich method’.

1. Apply moisturizer and let it absorb for 5–10 minutes.

2. Apply retinol, then follow with another layer of moisturizer to prevent skin irritation and flakiness.

Important notes:

– Start slowly (1–2 nights/week), gradually increasing frequency to avoid irritation.

– Don’t mix retinol with vitamin C, AHAs/BHAs, or benzoyl peroxide unless properly layered.

– Avoid retinol during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless approved by your doctor.

Pro tip: Always apply serums before moisturizing, and never skip sunscreen during the day—especially when using retinol or vitamin C.

Eye cream:

Use your ring finger, apply small dots around the eyes, and use a light patting or tapping motion to let the product absorb into the skin. Do not use the face cream on your eyes, as the eye area needs special attention.

The skin around the eyes is thinner and most fragile, and it’s the first area to show signs of aging. So, don’t skip this essential step in your daily skin care routine to keep the early signs of aging at bay.

Moisturizer:

Always use upward strokes when applying moisturizers and do not forget your neck area. Moisturizer helps to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes, eliminate wrinkles, and keep the skin hydrated for a long time.

It’s the biggest myth that oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer; dehydrated skin produces excess oil to compensate for the lack of moisture.

Hydration is the secret to healthy skin—it balances moisture, helps reduce blemishes, and maintains a youthful, fresh appearance.

Sunscreen:

Apply sunscreen at least 20 – 30 mins before you leave. Use fingers and evenly apply it on your entire face and neck. It is essential to wear sunscreen every day to shield your skin from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays.

Remember to reapply SPF every two hours, even if you are using a product with very high SPF. The main thing you need to remember is you should apply sunscreen even when you are staying indoors.

A lightweight SPF 30 is perfect for indoor use – it protects your skin from blue light (from screens) and UV rays that get through the windows, and keeps your skin safe and glowing.

To make it easier for you, here’s a quick breakdown of the basic morning and night skin care routine in a handy table!