The skincare routine you really need

June 25, 2026

Open any social media app and within thirty seconds you’ll see ten different products, five active ingredients you’ve never heard of, and the feeling that your usual routine is completely useless.
It isn't.

How many products does a facial routine actually need?

Skincare has become more complicated than it needs to be. The truth is that a well-chosen five-step routine does more for your skin than a cabinet full of products you don’t know how to combine.

The mistake of overcomplicating your skincare routine

Retinol, niacinamide, glycolic acid, peptides, bakuchiol. Every week a new ingredient appears that, according to social media, changes everything.
But your skin doesn’t need all of that at once. It needs consistency. it needs the basics done right, in the correct order, every single day.

Five steps. One basic facial routine. That’s it.

Step 1: Cleanse

Everything starts here.

Clean skin is skin that can absorb what comes next. If you skip cleansing or do it poorly, the rest of your routine loses its effectiveness.

In the morning, a gentle cleanse is enough — your skin has been resting all night and doesn't need anything harsh. The evening is more important — you need to remove sunscreen, pollution, and the sebum accumulated throughout the day.

Extra step: Exfoliation (1-2 times a week)
It’s not a daily step, but it is important.

Exfoliating removes the dead cells that build up on the skin's surface — the ones that dull your tone, clog pores, and prevent serums from penetrating properly. It’s the reset your skin needs every now and then.

Once or twice a week is plenty. More isn't better — over-exfoliating causes irritation and inflammation.

On the day you exfoliate, avoid using retinol or other strong actives. Your skin has already done enough work.

Step 2: Toner

Between cleansing and your serum, there’s a step many people skip without realising it makes all the difference.

After cleansing, your skin's pH is slightly altered. A toner rebalances it and prepares the skin to better absorb the serum that follows.

A small step. A noticeable result.

Step 3: Serum

This is the key to everything.

The serum is the step that makes the difference — it delivers the concentrated active ingredients your skin needs based on its current condition. This is where it’s worth taking a moment to choose wisely.

If your skin needs glow and a more even tone:
Vitamin C.

If your skin needs intense hydration:
Hyaluronic Acid.

If your skin is prone to shine or enlarged pores:
Niacinamide.

If your skin needs to look less tired and regain vitality:
Exosomes.

If your skin needs to regenerate while you sleep and reduce fine lines:
Retinol.

You don't need to use them all. One or two well-chosen products based on what your skin needs right now is more than enough.

Step 4: Moisturiser

Moisturiser is not optional.
Even if you have oily skin. Even in summer. Well-hydrated skin is healthier, defends itself better from the environment, and ages more gracefully.

Step 5: Sunscreen

This is the step most often skipped, and it’s the most important.

The sun is the main culprit behind premature skin ageing, dark spots, and loss of firmness. A good sunscreen applied every morning does more for your skin’s long-term appearance than any serum or treatment.

It always goes last in your daytime routine, after your moisturiser. And reapply if you’re going to be out in the sun for hours. There’s no excuse not to wear it.

The complete routine

Five steps. Ten minutes.

Step	Product	AM	PM
01	Cleanser Micellar gel or cleansing milk	✓	✓
+	Exfoliator 1-2 times per week	—	✓
02	Toner With Hyaluronic Acid or Niacinamide	✓	✓
03	Serum Based on your needs Vitamin C — Glow. AM. Hyaluronic Acid — Hydration. AM or PM. Niacinamide — Pores and shine. AM or PM. Exosomes — Revitalisation. AM or PM. Retinol — Regeneration. PM only.	✓	✓
04	Moisturiser Lightweight for AM, richer for PM	✓	✓
05	Sunscreen Min SPF 30, SPF 50 recommended	✓	—