The Easiest & Shortest Skincare Routine For (Almost) Anyone

… It’s easier than baking an apple pie

Skincare shouldn't be complicated.

Skincare is fun, and the routine shouldn’t feel like rocket science. Yes, some of us, like me, love the famous Korean 10-step skincare routine and have the time (and energy) to do the basics and more, but many people prefer to keep it simple, short, and sweet.

Here's the easiest and shortest skincare routine that anyone can do. Remember that you might need to see a dermatologist and specific products if you have skin issues and/or irritations.

AM Routine

1. Cleanser

The first step of any skincare routine should be a cleanser because you need to start with a clean face, and cleansers get rid of dirt, makeup, sweat, dead skin cells, grime, and pollutants. It preps your skin so the products you put on can do their work on a clean slate, literally.

Recommendations: Youth To The People Superfood Facial Cleanser

Drugstore options: The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm, e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Clean Freak Daily Cleanser, Illiyoon Gentle Deep Cleansing Oil

2. Antioxidant Serum

Aging, pollution, sun’s rays, and lifestyle habits like drinking alcohol and smoking can affect your skin, so the job of antioxidant serums is to help protect and repair some of the damage. Vitamin C and Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) are great antioxidant ingredients.

Recommendation: Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, Paula's Choice BOOST 10% Niacinamide Booster

Drugstore option: TruSkin Vitamin C Serum, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

3. Moisturizer with Sunscreen

Dry skin looks dull, and fine lines and wrinkles are more visible. Many moisturizers have humectants (e.g., hyaluronic acid) to hydrate, emollient (e.g., ceramides) to heal, soothe and hydrate, and occlusives (e.g., shea butter ) forms a physical barrier between the skin and the environment to prevent the skin from losing moisture so skin stays hydrated.

Sunscreen is necessary to protect you from skin cancer, and it also protects you from premature signs of aging. Choosing a good quality moisturizer with sunscreen can do it all. However, if you’re spending the day out for longer, wear sunscreen on top.

Recommendation: Supergoop! Superscreen SPF 40 PA+++ Hydrating Daily Moisturizer, COOLA Organic Refreshing Water Cream Face Moisturizer with SPF 50

Drugstore option: Pacifica Glow Baby Super Lit SPF 30 Face Lotion, Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50

PM Routine

1. Cleanser

If you’ve been out and about, your skin is exposed to pollution, or if you wear makeup- you don’t want to go to bed with all that so oil cleansers or cleansing balms can more easily help remove it all. You can use the same AM cleanser in the PM too or add a cleansing balm at night.

Recommendations: Dr.Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm, Dermalogica Precleanse Oil Cleanser

Drugstore Options: The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm, Illiyoon Gentle Deep Cleansing Oil

2. Regenerative Night Cream

Your skin repairs and rejuvenates itself at night, so using a night cream with ingredients like retinol (skip it if you are pregnant or nursing), bakuchiol, or peptide can help fade fine lines, firm and soften your skin while you sleep. Night creams are thicker than daytime lotions to provide extra hydration. If you don’t mind adding an extra step, pick a serum (e.g., retinol) and add a rich night cream.

Recommendations: StriVectin Super-C Night Vitamin C Night Cream, Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream

Drugstore options: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, Klairs Blue Calming Cream

Bonus step: Exfoliant

It’s great if you want to use an exfoliant 1–2 times a week at night, as it will remove dead skin and help fade dark spots, minimize the appearance of fine lines, and make your skin feel smoother and look more radiant.

Recommendation:  Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Daily Facial Wash,

Paulas Choice--SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant

Drugstore options: Versed Day Maker Microcrystal Exfoliating Cleanser