I never thought I’d embrace a simplified skin care routine in 2024, mainly because I genuinely enjoy building a comprehensive beauty regimen. In the past, I adopted a “more is more” approach, incorporating every serum, treatment, or ingredient that sounded promising. This quickly led to a bathroom overflowing with products rivaling a mini Sephora and a 22-step bedtime routine.
For a while, this elaborate ritual felt like a radical act of self-care and an exciting way to explore numerous products simultaneously. However, the process gradually became overwhelming. On any given day, I might apply an exfoliating toner, an oil-reducing serum, moisturizer for acne-prone skin, and retinol – all in a desperate attempt to prevent breakouts and combat oiliness. Looking back, “reactive” perfectly describes my skin’s condition after all this – more prone to blemishes, excessively oily, and honestly, quite sensitive to the touch.
It honestly didn’t occur to me that all the treatments I was applying were actually making the problems I wanted to fix even worse. But after hearing a skin expert emphasize the importance of skin-barrier repair yet again, I had an epiphany. Perhaps, by using so many harsh ingredients, I wasn’t giving my skin the protection and gentle care it truly deserved. That’s when I decided to strip back my routine to just the essentials.
To simplify my regimen, I recalled advice from a dermatologist who once told me that a skin care routine only needs four key components: a cleanser, a serum, a face cream, and SPF. I couldn’t resist adding a toner or essence, inspired by the principles of K-beauty philosophy. The results were truly surprising. Within just a week, my skin felt noticeably plumper, more elastic, and softer. Since adopting this streamlined approach, breakouts are rare, and my skin is significantly less oily than before. But why did this happen? “By reducing the use of potentially irritating or drying products, your skin is able to balance its natural oils, which leads to improved hydration and a smoother skin texture,” explains California-based board-certified dermatologist Divya Shokeen, MD, FAAD. New York City–based board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, concurs, emphasizing that “allowing skin sufficient time and space to absorb products and recover from their effects” is crucial for healthier skin.
Ahead, I’ll share my simplified five-step skin care routine, which I believe is among the Best Skin Care approaches for balanced and healthy skin. If you’re considering a similar shift, Dr. Shokeen offers this insightful tip: “A streamlined routine encourages better adherence to the most important steps that provide the most significant improvements, leading to consistent care and enhanced long-term skin health.”
Step One: Gentle Cleansing
My simplified regimen began with adopting a French-inspired approach to cleansing – or rather, not over-cleansing. I discovered that skipping washing my face in the morning was surprisingly effective in maintaining soft and balanced skin. I found that gently sweeping micellar water across my skin each morning works perfectly, followed by a double cleanse at night to thoroughly remove all traces of makeup and impurities.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
Bioderma’s micellar water is incredibly effective at gently lifting away dirt, oil, and impurities. It has become my preferred morning cleanser and is also excellent for removing stubborn mascara. Simply saturate a cotton pad, gently wipe your face, and you’re done. No rinsing needed.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil
I wasn’t always a fan of cleansing oils until I discovered this one from La Roche-Posay. It has a unique oil-meets-gel texture that transforms into a gentle, soft foam. Plus, it’s enriched with the brand’s prebiotic thermal spring water, niacinamide, and shea butter, ensuring it cleanses without stripping the skin of its essential moisture.
Step Two: Hydrating Toner or Essence
Toners and essences are fundamental in any effective Korean skin care routine, often considered a cornerstone of best skin care practices. Alicia Yoon, a renowned Korean skin care expert and founder of Peach & Lily, explains that toners are designed to rebalance the skin’s pH after cleansing, while essences are formulated to deeply boost hydration. Both steps enhance the skin’s ability to absorb subsequent products and promote a plump, radiant complexion. I’ve been experimenting with a variety of hydrating toners and consistently incorporate one both morning and night.
Lancôme Absolue L’Extrait Elixir Lotion
Although I’ve only recently started using Lancôme’s Absolue L’Extrait Elixir, I am already impressed with its performance. Formulated with Rose damascena water and a micro-ferment derived from the flower (known as Absolue Blackbiosis), this luxurious face mist is designed to soothe stressed skin and visibly refine pores.
Ilia The Base Face Milk
The Base Face Milk is easily one of my favorite launches from Ilia. My skin absolutely loves this product. It’s incredibly lightweight, never pills under makeup, and is packed with beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid, prickly-pear-flower extract, and squalane that improve both the look and feel of skin. I particularly like to use this when my skin is feeling drier and needs an extra boost of moisture before applying face cream.
Step Three: Morning Serum
Vitamin C is widely recognized as one of the most effective skin-brightening and antioxidant ingredients available – truly the “gold standard,” as Alabama-based board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman describes it. Following his expert advice, I prioritize incorporating it into my morning regimen. Consistent with my focus on hydration, I also like to include a hyaluronic-acid serum. Each morning, I choose to use either one or the other, tailoring it to my skin’s needs that day.
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF
$182 SKINCEUTICALS
$182 DERMSTORE
As someone with oily skin, SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF is a perfect match. Its formula combines L-ascorbic acid, silymarin, ferulic acid, and salicylic acid to effectively reduce excess oil production, minimize pores, and provide robust protection against free-radical damage.
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
The appeal of Drunk Elephant’s B-Hydra serum lies in its powerful combination of hyaluronic acid, known for holding a thousand times its weight in water, with vitamin B5, glycerin, and ceramides. This creates a deeply nourishing, skin-barrier-strengthening formula ideal for everyday use.
Step Three: Night Serum
For my nighttime routine, I essentially switch out my morning serums for night-specific treatments. This is when I incorporate the best retinol creams or any exfoliating treatments my skin might benefit from. I’ve found that applying these treatments at night is most effective, layering them between a hydrating toner and a generous application of moisturizer.
Olehenriksen Dewtopia 20% PHA/AHA Retexturizing Night Serum
I have to thank Issa Rae for introducing me to OleHenriksen’s Dewtopia. As the Emmy-nominated star mentions, this serum effectively minimizes breakouts thanks to its potent concentrations of AHAs and PHAs. I prefer to apply this serum mainly to my forehead and cheeks, where I am most prone to blemishes. (Remember, you don’t need to apply every product all over your entire face!)
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Serum
I prefer my retinols to be both non-irritating and adaptable to my skin’s current needs, which is why I’ve come to rely on Medik8’s Crystal Retinal 3 Serum. Encapsulated retinaldehyde is the star ingredient, working alongside glycerin and hyaluronic acid to effectively improve fine lines, skin tone, and overall texture. This powerful anti-aging ingredient should not be overlooked when seeking the best skin care solutions.
Step Four: Moisturizer
If I were ever stranded on a desert island with only one best skin care product, it would undoubtedly be face moisturizer. (Or at least, I think so!). A great moisturizer not only locks in essential hydration but also, thanks to advanced formulations, provides multi-purpose benefits such as improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. My face moisturizer is absolutely essential for sealing in all the beneficial ingredients from the toners and serums applied before it.
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Cooling Gel Moisturizer for Redness
While I don’t typically have sensitive skin, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Dr. Jart+’s Cicapair moisturizer. Infused with Centella asiatica and allantoin, it effectively reduces redness and soothes stressed skin. What I appreciate most is its unique jelly texture, which gives my skin that sought-after glass-skin glow.
Irene Forte Hibiscus Night Cream
$225 SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
$225 BLUEMERCURY
I prefer a truly rich and luxurious PM moisturizer, and Irene Forte’s Hibiscus Night Cream is just perfect. This exquisite cream is formulated with peptides, ceramides, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and omega-rich oils – all working synergistically to reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier and deliver smoother, more resilient skin by morning.
Step Five: Sunscreen
I’m not particularly picky when it comes to sunscreen. My key criteria are an SPF level of at least 50 and a creamy, cast-free finish that blends seamlessly into the skin. Oh, and because I apply it in the morning, it needs to absorb quickly and sit well under makeup, making it a crucial step in any best skin care routine focused on prevention and protection.
Chanel UV Essentiel Complete UV Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Dare I say Chanel’s UV Essentiel is the most underrated facial sunscreen? The Vogue office staff can often be heard raving about it. It features a luxurious mid-cream texture that imparts a subtle, healthy glow – not to mention it’s gentle and safe even for sensitive skin types.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60
Regardless of the many innovative sunscreens I test, I consistently return to this La Roche-Posay formula. Anthelios Ultra Light has such a fluid, milky texture that it almost feels like a serum – and it leaves skin with a natural matte finish that remains comfortable and breathable throughout the entire day.
