The Best Daily Skincare Routine, According to Dermatologists

 Skin Care Routine

 

 

 Starting a proper skincare routine is no easy feat. The store aisles are daunting, the TikTok tips and tricks are conflicting and the skincare product reviews are endless. Not to mention that everyone has different skin types, formula preferences, schedules and lifestyles. While there is no one right way to take care of your skin, we spoke with top dermatologists (the pros who really know) to help you figure out where to start and what to keep in mind while building the best routine for your skin.   Here, the best dermatologist-approved daily skincare routines for morning and night, including the basic steps that should be in every at-home regimen for oily, dry, combination or acne-prone skin (we've included the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab's top-tested product picks for each step, too).  

 Morning Skincare Routine Steps:   

1. Toner 

 Toners are skincare liquids that are applied to dry skin after cleansing using fingers, a cotton ball or cloth, and before using other leave-on skincare treatments like serums and moisturizers. A good toner can help ensure your skin is totally clean and grime-free, plus give it an extra dose of active ingredients.  You don’t need a toner, but swiping one on can be a great way to refresh skin, remove any residual debris and balance pH, Dr. Magovern says. If you're looking for additional complexion-purifying and brightening benefits, today's toners are much more advanced than the drying alcohol- and astringent-based formulas of the past, packed with skin-boosting benefits that can leave you glowing. Here are the ingredients you'll want to look for, based on your skin type:  If you have acne-prone skin, look for a toner with hydroxy acids, including salicylic acid and lactic acid, which increase cell turnover. For dry or sensitive skin, seek out a hydrating toner (or its sister, an essence) made without parching alcohol and with ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to soothe. For combination skin, opt for gentle exfoliants, hydration boosters and antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E and green tea, which can combat free radicals and prevent skin damage. For oily skin, look for astringents, such as alcohols or witch hazel, that tighten pores.  

 2 . Eye Cream 

Eye creams are different than face creams because they’re formulated specifically for the delicate eye area, which ages faster than the rest of your face — and therefore fall into the "treat" category, too. If you're concerned about fine lines, wrinkles, a lack of firmness, dark circles or undereye bags, an eye treatment product is definitely a good option.  To target dark circles, seek out niacinamide or vitamin C; and for puffiness, use a formula with caffeine, advises Marnie Nussbaum, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. For wrinkles and sagging, look for formulas with peptides and retinol. In addition, "vitamin K can help brighten dark undereye circles and hyaluronic acid hydrates dry skin," says Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., a dermatologist in Westport, CT and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. To treat multiple eye area issues, shop for a combo of these ingredients targeted to your needs.  When applying in the morning and at night, lightly tap on a formula targeted to your eye-area concerns using your ring finger (your weakest) to avoid tugging on this delicate area and causing damage.

 

 3. 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: “Many people cleanse too often or use a cleanser that’s overly harsh, which will actually break down your skin’s protective barrier,” Dr. Magovern says. 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 [good] sulfate- and soap-free cleanser for the face will be pH-balanced and gentle to maintain the skin’s barrier without stripping,” says Whitney Bowe, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and author of The Beauty of Dirty Skin. For everyday cleansing, here's how to shop for the best facial cleanser based on your skin type:  Oily skin: A foaming or gel cleanser will ensure adequate removal of excess dirt and oil from your skin; ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid can help regulate and remove excess oil. Acne-prone skin: A gentle foaming cleanser with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur is your best bet. Dry skin: Look for a lotion, cream or balm formula with hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and botanical oils. Sensitive skin: Try a micellar water, an ultra-gentle cleanser that includes tiny particles called micelles that trap impurities and lift them away without drying your skin in the process.

  4. Serum 

A serum tailored to your skin concerns can both treat and protect, delivering concentrated amounts of powerful ingredients that can address a number of complexion issues, from wrinkles to dark spots — and if you have multiple concerns, you can use several different serum formulas. Just be sure to read the labels carefully, because some serums are best used in the morning, while others are ideal for nighttime.  One serum anyone can benefit from in the morning? An antioxidant serum, which will prevent the formation of free radicals and lessen signs of aging over time. Vitamin C is considered the gold standard antioxidant. “Everyone should use vitamin C, no matter what age,” Dr. Magovern says. “It helps reverse a lot of the skin damage we get from the sun and pollution.” For darker skin tones, hyperpigmentation can be a common issue, and using a vitamin C serum in the morning can also help mitigate dark spots, says Jennifer David, D.O., a dermatologist in Philadelphia and founder of Skin & Scripts Virtual Dermatology.  In addition to antioxidant serums, you can try anti-aging serums featuring the following ingredients to address wrinkles, fine lines and more:  Hyaluronic acid serums: They draw moisture into the skin, combatting dryness and dullness and also plumping skin. Niacinamide: A form of vitamin B3 that brightens and evens skin tone, boosts collagen production and calms inflammation. Retinoids: Stimulate cell turnover to increase collagen production and reduce wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Retinol is best used at night.

 

 5. Sunscreen Dermatologists agree

Sunscreen is the most important step in any skincare routine for every skin type and age. “If you don’t wear sunscreen, you might as well not do any of the other steps,” Dr. Magovern says. “The sun is the number one reason skin ages prematurely.” The damage isn’t only cosmetic, no matter what your skin color: “People of color can and do get skin cancer,” Dr. David says. “Plus, if you’re treating hyperpigmentation without daily SPF use, it’s like taking two steps forward and one step backward. 

Night Skincare Routine Steps: 

It's important to switch up your skincare routine at night — and not just because you don't need SPF while you sleep. Your nighttime routine is the perfect time to make sure your skin is getting as many nutrients and active ingredients as possible, since your skin regenerates and repairs itself while you snooze, Dr. Magovern says. (Hence the term "beauty sleep.") You'll still follow the same basic three steps — cleanse, treat and moisturize — but at night, the regimen will look a little bit different.

1. Toner 

If you’re opting for a toner, apply it the same way you would in the morning. Because they’re liquids, toners should go on before heavier formulas like serums and moisturizers so they can absorb into skin.

  2. Acne 

Treatment If you currently have a blemish (or a few), apply an acne treatment at this time. For chronic breakouts, be proactive rather than treating pimples as they pop up, Dr. Magovern advises. “If you just treat the spot, you’ll get acne right next to it if your skin is clogged,” she says. “You’re getting breakouts because oil is building up, so be consistent with your regimen to keep pores all over your face clear.” (If using a retinoid, let skin adjust before trying acne formulas like salicylic acid.)  

3. Eye Cream 

Gently dab an eye cream, or alternatively a bit of your face serum or treatment, around your eyes. “You don’t have to use a lot, but if you start training your skin to tolerate more active products around the eye, you’ll see more change,” Dr. Magovern explains.