Finding and committing to a routine has always seemed like a daunting task to me. The sheer number of products on the market is staggering and you have to ask yourself questions like “why does my face need a mini rolling pin?” and “ Do I really have to use a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, and eye cream?”.

The goal for starting a skin-care routine is to see what your skin type is. Like do you have dry skin? Oily skin? Or even combination skin like me when you have both dry skin and oily skin.

Having oily skin I need to have a constant routine. I’ve done a lot of research into fixing or helping my skin. One person I have found that  I really like is Susan Yara. Susan Yars is a skincare expert so I really trust her. 

My morning skincare routine consists of 4 products. In the morning, I start by splashing my face with lukewarm water. Then I cleanse my face with my favorite Gentle Cleanser by Cetaphil. After that I tone my face using the 7% Glycolic Acid by The Ordinary. Then after that I put on  the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel and REN Clean Screen SPF 30. SPF is basically sunscreen. It’s important to wear SPF because it helps slow the rate of getting skin cancer. And you need to wear it every day you go into the sun. No matter if you’re going outside for 5 minutes, you need to wear sunscreen.     

As your skin naturally repairs itself at night, your nighttime routine should be all about treatment and giving your skin what it needs. So here’s my nighttime regimen. My first step in my routine is a double cleanse. A double cleanse is to get rid of the day’s grime, dirt, oil and makeup. The first cleanser I use Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil, and the second one I use is Holifrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash. 

My second step is toner. At night, some people also like to layer various types of skin care boosters, which you’ll see as either mists, essences, beauty waters or hydrating (hyaluronic acid) serums. These are infused with different active ingredients, but for the most part, the purpose is mainly to hydrate and nourish skin. The serum I use is Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Serum by Tatcha.

After I’m done with my two steps, I apply moisturizer or night cream. Some people use the same moisturizer in the day and at night. However, night moisturizers or night creams are generally thicker and heavier and designed to be absorbed over the course of several hours.Then I apply my eye. But the night cream I put on is the Cerave Moisturizing Cream

Aside from the order of application, some experts believe it’s also important to consider the time it takes for your skin to absorb your products. However, since most of us are often in a rush to get somewhere , I understand that this isn’t always possible. My advice? Keep your skin care routine simple. Simple as you can make it possible. And try to find products without fragrance because it can irritate your skin.

Many products say you have to wait anywhere from five to 30 minutes before the next step to ensure proper absorption, but who has time for that?

If you make it too complicated, you just won’t do it . If you have many steps, pause for a bit (a minute) to allow each product time to react with the skin. For example, at night, after I wash my face and apply my serum or evening treatment, I just wrap up my day and get into bed. I keep my moisturizer on my bedside table and apply it right before I go to sleep to give these typically expensive, specialty treatments a touch more time to penetrate the skin before I seal them in with my cream.

Another piece of advice? Listen to your skin. Remember that you are unique and that nobody else has your skin. No matter what experts say, it’s important to find what works for you and to always be kind to your skin.