Expert Tips for Creating the Perfect Skincare Routine

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current AM and PM complexion care or start a skincare routine altogether, it helps to know which products go into an effective regimen.

While you might think that simply heading to the store (or a store’s website) will make it clear which skincare products to buy, doing so without knowing what you’re shopping for can actually be more overwhelming than helpful. After all, with seemingly endless skincare products on the market, it can be jarring to see just how many bottles, tubes and jars line drugstore aisles, let alone the inventory that stocks the shelves of full-blown beauty stores like Ulta or Sephora.

That’s why, rather than beelining to a beauty aisle or store, we recommend clicking (and reading) through the slides ahead. There, you’ll find advice from a handful of skincare experts on not only the product categories any effective skincare routine needs, but how to apply them, too.

Each and every day should start and end with washing your face. Where people with dry, regular and combination skin types can get away with rinsing with water or swiping with micellar water, Toronto-based dermatologist Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, who is the author of Beyond Soap, says that those with oily, acne-prone skin should wash their faces with an oil-free cleanser to help mitigate shine and rid the skin of any acne-causing oil and bacteria that may have formed overnight.

At night, Dr. Skotnicki says that everyone should use a classic gel or cream-based cleanser to go to bed with a fully refreshed face. “I think it is important to cleanse the face at night of pollution, makeup and sunscreen, as well as oil and dirt buildup,” she explains.

Time of day aside, licensed esthetician Danielle Gronich says that if you wear makeup, it’s very important to have a gentle cleanser on hand specifically for eye makeup removal. Because it is the thinnest skin on the body (let alone the face), it’s important to use a gentle cleanser that won’t require any tugging or harsh rubbing during removal, as both can lead to the premature formation of fine lines and wrinkles — plus, it’s just uncomfortable.

“A cleanser is key as it helps to eliminate the dirt, debris, oil, makeup and build-up from the day,” reiterates NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick. “It can also work to eliminate excess oil.”

Of course, in order to achieve the intended results, you have to use the right cleanser formula for your skin type. In general, Dr. Garshick says that those with normal, dry, sensitive and/or mature skin types should opt for a hydrating cream cleanser (or makeup balm) formulated with strengthening ceramides and hydrating humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, while those with oily, acne-prone skin should use an oil-free, gel or foam cleanser. The reason being is that gel and foam cleansers are often made without the heavy, hydrating ingredients that cream cleansers tout, which can trigger breakouts for those with acne-prone skin. In their place, you’ll find an array of gentle exfoliating acids that work to help rid the skin of excess oil, while also helping to balance the skin’s natural oil production.

Next up we have toner. While some beauty experts and dermatologists will say that toner isn’t necessary for every skincare routine — reserving it only for acne-prone skin — licensed esthetician Bianca Edwards, who has worked with the likes of Floyd Mayweather, thinks otherwise. “In my experience, many people don't know the true purpose of toner, so they see this as a skippable step,” she explains. “The toner is not just a refresher; its function is to ensure the skin is balanced and at its ideal pH after cleansing.”