Minimalistic skincare routine recommendations for a beginner

[karaage]

Holo! I’m moving towards my 30s and have never really done anything for skincare. No routines; occasional sunscreen, everyday face wash. That’s it. Do you have pointers for a noob like me that wants to start taking care of my face? I have redness in the cheeks, dry spots, and oily T-zones. Anything you can recommend for a minimalistic skincare routine would be greatly appreciated. Thank youuu!!!! :3

[newcarlee]

Hi @karaage - I will echo what others have said: sunscreen, cleanser and moisturizer. But I suggest using 2 cleansers -first an oil or balm cleanser, followed by a “normal” cleanser. I think the oil/balm are meant to be make-up removers but I feel they work well to remove my sunscreen. My routine is pretty minimal and I was where you are a few years ago. But now I do use acids and masks as treatment for hyperpigmentation and specific issues that pop up like pimples and sometimes drier skin spots.

[Daniellarenee16]

Hi! It seems you and I have similar skin types! I have used multiple products, some high end that work great and some on that are much cheaper that also work for me! Tatcha dewy skin cream is an amazing cream! I apply very little to no moisturizer to my T zone mostly just my cheeks and around my mouth twice a day, when I need a little extra moisturizer I use the Lancôme nutrix it is pretty expensive but a little product goes a loooong way, it’s a very thick cream. My favorite drug store is the ponds crema s (blue top) I’ve literally been using it for about 10 years and it has done wonders for me! Hope this helps!

[AZanette]

Hi!

so, simple routine, sunscreen, cleanser, and a mosturizer. If you want, you can add like a sleeping mask, because it works during the night and you wake up with an amazing skin

If you don’t wanna do the double cleansing, maybe you could try the PHILOSOPHY - Purity Made Simple Cleanser. It lets the skin moisturized, without that stretching feeling and it also removes makeup, in case you’re wearing.

As sunscreen, I suggest you to look for Korean ones. As said by other people, usually they are super sticky and heavy, and in Korea they have many options with high SPF that are lightweight and left a great feeling on the skin. Right now I’m using one called Essence Sun Milk, and I buy at YesStyle.

Moisturizer is the same thing. I prefer something lightweight, so you don’t feel sticky either. I was using SATURDAY SKIN - Waterfall Glacier Water Cream  and it’s great! You can also find more affordable brands in the website I mentioned, and go for Nature Republic or Étude House.

Sleeping mask, LANEIGE - Water Sleeping Mask, just great!

If you want one product with multiple benefits, I’d recommend All-in-One of Mizon. You can also buy at YesStyle. Super affordable and it helps improving skin texture, minimizing pores, dullness, acne scarring, blemishes, and it feels like there’s nothing on your skin!

Hope you like the suggestions and that they work for you!

[drrragon]

Hi @karaage , for a bare minimum routine you should have a daily cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.  Depending on who you ask (dermatologists), the number one anti-aging secret is daily sunscreen, even if you'll only be in direct sunlight while running errands or something.

I'm guessing most of us on this forum have long since graduated into complex routines with lots of active skincare ingredients, but consistent use of those three are the basic starting point.  

Personally I hate sunscreen because it almost always feels gross on my skin, but I recently discovered PURITO Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF50+ which feels exactly like a light moisturizer going on so I actually do wear it every day!  You can find it on amazon and yesstyle.

What I currently have in my routine:

AM

• CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
• Philosophy Clear Days Ahead acne treatment and moisturizer (1% salicylic acid)
• Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C™ Vitamin C Power Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL
• CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion (contains ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid)
• PURITO Centella sunscreen

PM

• CLINIQUE Take The Day Off™ Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm 3.8 oz/ 125 mL (makeup remover)
• CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
• THE ORDINARY - Buffet
• FIRST AID BEAUTY - FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25% Pure Concentrate
• or
• DRUNK ELEPHANT - A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream
• CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

[karaage]

I’m all about simple routines. I’ll take your advice on the sunscreen, thanks for the links!!!! ❤️

[lmaster]

Hi! @karaage these are products I use, definitely a cleanser, in the morning is when I use acids and vit c and sunscreen. You could use  tarte Mini Knockout Tingle Treatment Toner 1.7 oz/ 50 mL 2-3 x a week then a HA like  The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Hydrating Face Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL then I use  Farmacy Very Cherry Bright 15% Clean Vitamin C Serum with Acerola Cherry 1.0 oz/ 30 mL and  The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Blemish + Blackhead Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL and follow with a moisturizer. I rotate between moisturizers but I really likeFIRST AID BEAUTY - Hello FAB Coconut Water Cream. At night I'll cleanse, then use a detox mask 2x a week like GLAMGLOW - SUPERMUD® Activated Charcoal Treatment Maskor INNISFREE - Super Volcanic Clusters Pore Clearing Clay Maskthen,  The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL and HERBIVORE - Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serumand follow with moisturizer, at night I like to use VOLITION BEAUTY - Celery Green Cream with Hyaluronic Acid + Peptidesi used to have oily skin, and v this routine has helped my skin so much lean more twords normal. Hope this helps some

[karaage]

Wow! Thanks for the information and all the links!!! I’ll read up on the products you suggested! This is the first time I’ve posted on forums like this, and you’ve been so thoughtful ❤️