BEGINNER SKINCARE GUIDE

How to Build a Skincare Routine for Beginners

Starting a skincare routine does not have to be complicated. Learn how to choose the right basic products, understand the correct order of application, adapt your routine to your skin type and build simple morning and evening skincare habits.

Skincare Routine Beginner Guide Skin Types Ingredients Daily Skincare
SKINCARE BASICS

What Is a Skincare Routine?

A skincare routine is a regular sequence of products and habits used to cleanse, moisturise and protect the skin. Depending on your skin type and concerns, you may also include targeted skincare ingredients such as salicylic acid, niacinamide or vitamin C.

The most important part of starting a routine is not having the largest number of products. A simple routine that you can follow consistently can be easier to maintain than a routine containing many unnecessary steps.

Beginners can generally start with three fundamental categories: a cleanser, a moisturiser and sunscreen for daytime use. Other products can be introduced according to specific skin concerns.

Cleanse

Remove accumulated oil, sweat, dirt and daily impurities.

Moisturise

Help keep skin comfortable and support the skin barrier.

Protect

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen during daytime exposure.

STEP BY STEP

The Basic Order of a Skincare Routine

Product order can vary depending on the formulation and ingredients you use, but a straightforward routine can be organised around cleansing, treatment, moisturising and daytime sun protection.

01

Cleanser

Start by cleansing the skin to remove excess oil, sweat, dirt and other impurities. Choose a cleanser according to your skin type and how your skin feels after washing.

02

Targeted Treatment

If you have a particular concern, you may add a suitable treatment product. Examples include salicylic acid for congested skin or niacinamide in routines designed for oily or uneven-looking skin.

03

Moisturiser

Apply a moisturiser suited to your skin type. Oily skin can still benefit from moisturisation, while dry skin may prefer a richer formulation.

04

Sunscreen

During the daytime, finish your routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Sun protection is particularly relevant when your skincare routine includes concerns such as dark spots or uneven skin tone.

DAILY ROUTINE

Morning vs Night Skincare Routine

Your morning and evening routines do not need to contain exactly the same products. Daytime skincare generally places greater emphasis on cleansing, moisturising and sun protection, while your evening routine can focus on cleansing and any targeted products that suit your skin.

☀️ Morning Routine

  • Gentle cleanser, if needed.
  • Targeted skincare product, if appropriate.
  • Moisturiser suited to your skin type.
  • Broad-spectrum sunscreen.

🌙 Night Routine

  • Cleanse the skin and remove daily buildup.
  • Apply your selected treatment product.
  • Follow with moisturiser.
  • Avoid adding multiple new active ingredients at once.
Keep the routine manageable

If you are new to skincare, introduce products gradually. Adding several active ingredients at the same time can make it difficult to identify which product is responsible if irritation occurs.

KNOW YOUR SKIN

How to Build a Routine for Your Skin Type

Skin types are often described as oily, dry, combination or normal. Some people also experience sensitivity or dehydration, which can occur alongside different skin types.

Oily Skin

Oily skin tends to produce more sebum. Look for a cleanser that removes excess oil without leaving your skin feeling excessively stripped. Lightweight moisturisers can be useful for people who prefer lighter textures.

Dry Skin

Dry skin can feel tight, rough or flaky. A gentle cleanser, moisturiser and a routine focused on maintaining skin comfort may be appropriate.

Combination Skin

Combination skin can have areas that feel oily and other areas that feel relatively dry. A balanced routine can avoid aggressively treating the entire face as if it had only one concern.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin may react more easily to certain products or environmental factors. Keeping the routine simple and introducing new products gradually can help reduce unnecessary irritation.

INGREDIENT GUIDE

Which Skincare Ingredients Should Beginners Know?

You do not need to use every popular skincare ingredient. Understanding what common ingredients are generally used for can help you choose products based on your individual concerns.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid commonly used in skincare formulated for oily, blemish-prone or congested skin. It can help exfoliate and address buildup associated with clogged pores.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 commonly included in skincare formulations designed to support the skin barrier, manage the appearance of excess oil and improve the appearance of uneven skin.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant ingredient widely used in skincare aimed at improving the appearance of uneven tone and supporting protection against environmental oxidative stress.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant commonly used in moisturising products. It helps attract and retain water, making it a popular ingredient in hydrating skincare.

Panthenol

Panthenol, also known as provitamin B5, is commonly used in skincare formulations for its conditioning and skin-comfort properties.

Ceramides

Ceramides are lipids naturally found in the skin. They are commonly used in moisturisers designed to support the skin barrier.

ROUTINE PLANNER

A Simple Beginner Skincare Checklist

Start with the essentials and add targeted products only when you understand why you need them.

Step Product Type When Main Purpose
1 Cleanser Morning / Night Remove oil, sweat and impurities
2 Treatment According to product Address a specific skin concern
3 Moisturiser Morning / Night Support skin comfort and hydration
4 Sunscreen Daytime Protect skin from UV exposure
WHAT TO AVOID

7 Common Skincare Mistakes Beginners Make

More products do not automatically mean a better routine. Some common skincare habits can make it harder to understand what your skin actually needs.

1

Starting Too Many Products at Once

Introduce new products gradually so you can understand how your skin responds.

2

Overwashing the Face

Excessive cleansing can leave some skin feeling dry, tight or irritated.

3

Scrubbing Too Aggressively

Frequent or aggressive physical scrubbing can irritate the skin instead of improving its appearance.

4

Ignoring Moisturiser

Oily or acne-prone skin can still benefit from suitable moisturisation.

5

Skipping Sunscreen

Daytime sun protection is an important part of a routine, particularly when addressing visible pigmentation or uneven skin tone.

6

Changing Products Too Quickly

Constantly changing products can make it difficult to determine which products are suitable for your skin.

7

Choosing Products Only Because They Are Trending

A product should make sense for your skin type and concern rather than being selected only because it is popular online.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Skincare Routine FAQs

What skincare products should a beginner use?

A simple beginner routine can start with a cleanser, moisturiser and broad-spectrum sunscreen. A targeted treatment can be added later based on your specific skin concern.

What order should I apply skincare products?

A basic routine generally starts with cleansing, followed by targeted products, moisturiser and daytime sunscreen. Always follow the directions supplied with individual products because formulations can differ.

How many skincare products do I really need?

There is no universal number of products that everyone needs. A basic routine can be quite simple. Additional products can be selected according to your skin type and specific concerns.

Should I have a morning and night skincare routine?

Many people choose to have both. The morning routine can focus on cleansing, moisturising and sun protection, while the evening routine can focus on cleansing, treatment and moisturisation.

Should beginners use active ingredients?

Beginners can use targeted ingredients when appropriate, but it is generally sensible to introduce them gradually rather than starting several active products at the same time.

Can I use skincare products every day?

Some products are designed for daily use while others may be intended for less frequent application. Follow the directions for the individual product and adjust according to how your skin responds.

How long does it take for a skincare routine to work?

Results vary depending on the product, skin concern and individual. Some changes may be noticed relatively quickly, while concerns such as acne or uneven pigmentation can take considerably longer to manage.

What should I do if a new product irritates my skin?

Stop using the product if it causes significant or persistent irritation. If the reaction is severe, persistent or concerning, seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Start With a Simple Daily Cleanser

If you are building a routine for oily, combination or acne-prone skin, explore the NDERMI Anti-Acne & Oil Control Face Wash as part of your daily cleansing routine.

Explore NDERMI Face Wash →