5 Products To Add To Your Skincare Steps

So you want to start a proper skincare routine, but you have some questions: How many skincare products do you have to use? Which ones are right for your skin? In what order should you be applying these products? And what do the products even do? We spoke with top dermatologists to help you figure out where to start and what to keep in mind while building the best routine for your skin.

Three Main Skincare Routine Steps

To get the most benefit out of a daily skincare regimen, no matter what your skin type, you should start with three simple steps:

• Cleanse
• Treat
• Moisturize

You probably already know that cleansing means washing your face and moisturizing means hydrating your skin, but what does "treating" involve? Well, in addition to keeping your complexion in tip-top shape, the goal of any good skincare routine is to target problem areas. So, treating means incorporating serums or creams packed full of beneficial skincare ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, and others, depending on your skin type and the results you want to see.

1. Cleanser

Face cleansing should be the first step in any skincare routine, as it clears away impurities and excess oil that can clog pores and dull skin. But be gentle. Too many people cleanse too much or too often or with a cleanser that’s too harsh, which will actually break down your skin’s protective barrier. If you have dry or sensitive skin, try washing only at night and rinsing your face with water in the morning. The best formulas will gently cleanse your skin without stripping it of healthy oils. A sulfate- and soap-free cleanser for the face will be pH-balanced and gentle to maintain the skin’s barrier without stripping, Ixora Hydrating Face Cleansing Gel

Step 2: Toner

Face toners used to be terrible, alcohol-based liquids that irritated the hell out of your face. But today’s (good) toners are filled with either gentle, hydrating ingredients to coddle dry and sensitive skin or with chemical exfoliants to treat acne, oil, and bumps. Toners are not meant to be something that sits around on your skin and feels heavy. They’re essentially just priming your face for ingredients to be better absorbed later on. Ixora Balancing Facial Toner

Step 3: Serum

Ah, serums—the product you probs keep buying, never really using, and getting panicked that you’re neglecting out of confusion. But we gotcha. Serums are essentially just shots of extremely concentrated nutrients, hydration, and antioxidants that really amp up your skin health as soon as you apply them. People often skip out on using them, but they’re honestly the heavy lifters of your skincare routine. Teami Hibiscus Infused Vitamin C Serum

Step 4: Eye Cream

Eye creams tend to be lighter and thinner than face moisturizers, so make sure to apply them before you slather on your creams and oils An important note: Even though eye creams seem like the be-all and end-all of skincare (and anti-aging), they’re honestly not necessary for most people. As long as you’re using moisturizer and sunscreen, your eye area is already getting the TLC it needs. Clinique All About Eye Cream

Step 5: Moisturizer

You need to be using a moisturizer. Always. Twice a day. No matter what because it’s the only thing that’ll keep your skin barrier—aka the very temperamental thing responsible for making your face look good—healthy and happy. A moisturizer not only infuses your skin with hydration, but it also helps trap in all the products underneath it to make the ingredients even more effective. You can use the same moisturizer morning and night, but if you plan to skip sunscreen (shame), your a.m. formula needs to have at least SPF 30. And remember to let it sink in for 5 to 10 minutes before applying makeup Thalgo Source Marine Hydra Marine 24H Gel Cream 50Ml

Stick With It

Good things come to those who wait — and that includes skincare routines. Even the best skincare products take time to work, so don't expect results overnight. If you stick to a consistent, daily routine, you can likely expect to see some benefits within six to 12 weeks - and it can often take at least three to four months to know if your new routine is really working.