A Simple 3-Step Skincare Routine for Every Skin Type

Short answer: A simple skincare routine has three steps: cleanse with a gentle cleanser, moisturize, and protect with a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher in the morning. S01 S07 Your skin type changes which textures and labels to look for, not how many steps you need. Dry skin does best with creams, oily skin with oil-free and noncomedogenic products, and sensitive skin with fragrance-free formulas you have tested first. S02 S03 S05

Long routines with many layers are not necessary for healthy skin. This guide sets out the three core steps, then shows how to adapt each one to your skin type.

The three steps

Step 1: Cleanse

The AAD's face-washing advice applies to almost everyone: S01

• Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser without alcohol.
• Wet your face with lukewarm water and apply the cleanser with your fingertips. Washcloths and mesh sponges can irritate skin.
• Do not scrub. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
• Wash once in the morning and once at night, and after heavy sweating.

Step 2: Moisturize

Moisturizer helps keep skin hydrated, even when it is oily. S03 For dry skin, the AAD suggests applying it while skin is still damp and whenever it feels dry. S02

Step 3: Protect (morning)

Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to skin that clothing will not cover. S07 To save a step, the AAD notes you can use a moisturizer that also contains broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. S03

At night, the routine is just steps 1 and 2.

Routine by skin type

Sources: AAD. S02 S03 S04 S06

Dry skin

Dry skin flakes, itches and can crack. The AAD's dermatologists suggest:

• Cleanse lightly. Use only enough cleanser to remove dirt and oil, without a thick lather. S02
• Choose creams or ointments. They add more moisture and are more effective than lotions. S02
• Look for helpful ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, jojoba oil, lanolin, mineral oil, petrolatum, shea butter or lactic acid. S02
• Apply moisturizer on damp skin and whenever your skin feels dry. S02
• Pick "fragrance-free," not just "unscented." Unscented products can contain chemicals that mask odors, which may irritate dry, sensitive skin. S02 Our guide to fragrance-free vs unscented labels explains the difference.

A humidifier in the bedroom can also help in dry weather. S02

Oily skin

Oily skin can clog pores, but it still benefits from moisturizer. The AAD's tips: S03

• Wash up to twice a day and after sweating with a mild, gentle foaming face wash. A wash that is too harsh can irritate skin and trigger more oil production.
• Skip oil-based and alcohol-based cleansers.
• Choose products labeled "oil free" and "noncomedogenic," which won't clog pores.
• Moisturize after cleansing; a moisturizer with SPF 30+ covers step 3.
• For sunscreen, look for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and avoid products with fragrance or oils.

Ingredients such as salicylic, glycolic and lactic acid can reduce oiliness but may be too harsh. Use them less often, or stop, if skin becomes irritated. S03

Combination skin

Combination skin is oily in some areas, often the forehead, nose and chin, and normal or dry elsewhere. Keep one gentle cleanser for the whole face, use a lightweight noncomedogenic moisturizer, and add a richer cream only where skin feels tight or flaky. Follow the oily-skin advice to avoid harsh, alcohol-based cleansers, since irritating the oily areas does not help. S03

Sensitive skin

For sensitive skin, fewer ingredients usually means fewer problems.

• Test every new product. Apply it to a quarter-sized spot on the inside of your arm or bend of your elbow twice a day for 7 to 10 days. Use it only if there is no redness, itching or swelling. S05
• Avoid common irritants. For sensitive, rosacea-prone skin, the AAD lists alcohol, camphor, fragrance, glycolic acid, lactic acid, menthol, sodium lauryl sulfate and urea as ingredients to avoid on the face. S06
• Choose mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both. S06
• Be cautious with botanical claims. The AAD notes products labeled "unscented" or containing plant-based ingredients may still contain fragrance-related ingredients. S05 See what a natural label does not tell you.

Acne-prone skin

The AAD's acne self-care tips focus on being gentle: S04

• Wash up to twice daily and after sweating with a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser, using your fingertips.
• Use products labeled "alcohol-free," and skip astringents, toners and exfoliants, which can dry skin and make acne look worse.
• Choose sunscreen labeled "non-comedogenic" or "won't clog pores."
• Avoid picking or popping blemishes, which can increase scarring and dark spots.
• Give a treatment time. It may take several weeks to a few months to see a difference, and switching too often can irritate skin.

Your routine at a glance

Sources: AAD. S01 S03 S07 The AAD's oily-skin tips also say never to sleep in makeup. S03 For reapplying sunscreen during a long day outside, follow the timing on the product label.

How to add anything else

Once the three steps are steady, add new products one at a time and test each first. S05 Before you buy, check the ingredient list and claims with our skincare label checklist.

When to change your routine

A simple routine should feel comfortable. Signs it needs adjusting:

• Stinging, redness or itching after a product: wash it off, stop using it, and use a cool compress or petroleum jelly to soothe the skin. A severe reaction that does not settle may need a dermatologist. S05
• Tight, flaky skin after washing: use less cleanser, keep the water lukewarm, and switch to a cream or ointment moisturizer. S01 S02
• More shine or breakouts: check that every product says oil-free or noncomedogenic, and swap any harsh, oil-based or alcohol-based cleanser for a gentle, foaming one, since a face wash that is too harsh can trigger more oil. S03
• Breakouts that continue: give an acne treatment several weeks to months to work before switching, since trying new treatments too often can irritate skin. If breakouts continue, a board-certified dermatologist can treat existing acne, prevent new breakouts and reduce the chance of scars. S04

Mild, temporary irritation can be normal with some active ingredients such as retinol or glycolic acid, especially on sensitive skin. S05

Do not forget lips, hands and body

The same three steps apply below the face. For dry skin, the AAD suggests limiting showers and baths to five to ten minutes in warm water, gently patting skin dry with a clean towel, and moisturizing right after. S02 Carry a non-greasy hand cream and apply it after each hand washing, and wear gloves for dishes or gardening. S02 For lips, use a lip balm or petroleum jelly, and switch if it stings or tingles. S02 In the sun, use a lip balm with an SPF of at least 30. S08

Common mistakes

• Scrubbing or using rough tools. Both irritate skin. S01
• Skipping moisturizer because skin is oily. It can still need hydration. S03
• Adding several new products at once. If you react, you will not know which one caused it. S05
• Using sunscreen only on sunny days. Make it part of every morning routine.

Frequently asked questions

What are the three basic steps of a skincare routine?

Cleanse, moisturize and protect. Wash with a gentle cleanser, apply a moisturizer suited to your skin, and in the morning use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on skin that clothing will not cover.

Do I need to moisturize if I have oily skin?

Yes. The AAD advises applying moisturizer after cleansing even with oily skin, and suggests an oil-free, noncomedogenic product. A moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher can cover the morning sunscreen step.

How often should I wash my face?

The AAD recommends washing once in the morning and once at night, plus after heavy sweating, using lukewarm water, a gentle cleanser and your fingertips.

Should I use toner?

It is not one of the three core steps. For acne-prone skin, the AAD advises avoiding astringents, toners and exfoliants because they can dry the skin and make acne look worse.

How do I know if a new product suits sensitive skin?

Test it first. The AAD recommends applying it to a quarter-sized spot, such as the inside of the arm, twice a day for 7 to 10 days, and using it only if no redness, itching or swelling appears.