Skin Type Assessment & Routine Planner
Take 2 minutes to find your perfect routine
Answer 3 simple questions about your skin to get a personalized plan
Question 1: How does your skin feel after washing?
Question 2: How often do you experience breakouts?
Question 3: What's your main skin concern?
Your Skin Type
Morning Routine
Night Routine
Planning a skin care routine doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You don’t need 10 products or a 12-step process to get clear, healthy skin. In fact, most people overcomplicate it-and end up with irritated skin, breakouts, or wasted money. The truth? A simple, consistent routine tailored to your skin type works better than anything trendy.
Start with your skin type
Before you buy anything, figure out what kind of skin you have. It’s not as simple as ‘oily’ or ‘dry.’ Most people are combination-oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and dry on the cheeks. Sensitive skin reacts to fragrances or alcohol. Acne-prone skin gets clogged pores and red bumps. Mature skin loses elasticity and gets thinner.
Here’s how to test your skin type:
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry.
- Wait one hour without applying anything.
- Press a clean tissue against your face.
If the tissue picks up oil only on your nose and forehead, you’re combination. If it’s oily everywhere, you’re oily. If it’s dry or flaky, you’re dry. If your skin feels tight, red, or stings with most products, you’re sensitive. This isn’t science, but it’s enough to guide your choices.
Build your base: cleanse, moisturize, protect
Every skin care routine-no matter your age or skin type-needs three core steps: cleanse, moisturize, and protect. Skip any one, and your skin suffers.
Cleanse removes dirt, oil, pollution, and makeup. Use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser twice a day. Avoid foaming cleansers with sodium lauryl sulfate if your skin feels tight after washing. Look for ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, or niacinamide. They clean without stripping.
Moisturize isn’t just for dry skin. Even oily skin needs hydration. Water-based moisturizers with hyaluronic acid work well for acne-prone skin. Thicker creams with shea butter or squalane help dry skin. Apply it right after cleansing while your skin is still damp. That locks in moisture better.
Protect means sunscreen. Every single day. Even in winter. Even if you’re indoors. UVA rays penetrate windows and cause aging. UVB rays cause burns. Both lead to wrinkles and dark spots. Use SPF 30 or higher. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are less irritating for sensitive skin. Apply a quarter teaspoon for your face. Reapply if you’re outside for hours.
Morning routine: protection first
Your morning routine should prepare your skin for the day. Keep it light and focused on defense.
- Wash your face with water or a gentle cleanser if you slept in makeup or sweat.
- Apply a vitamin C serum. It fights free radicals from pollution and sunlight. Look for L-ascorbic acid at 10-20% concentration. It brightens skin and boosts collagen.
- Moisturize.
- Sunscreen. Always.
That’s it. Four steps. No toners, no essences, no serums you don’t need. Vitamin C is the only extra step most people benefit from in the morning. If you’re not using it, start. It’s backed by decades of dermatology research.
Night routine: repair and renew
At night, your skin shifts into repair mode. This is when you add targeted treatments.
- Cleanse again. You’ve accumulated dirt, oil, and sunscreen all day. Double cleanse if you wear makeup: start with an oil-based cleanser, then follow with your regular one.
- Apply treatment products. Pick one or two. Don’t stack them.
Here’s what works:
- Retinoids (retinol, tretinoin): The gold standard for anti-aging and acne. Start with low-dose retinol 0.25% twice a week. Build up slowly. Use at night only. It makes skin sun-sensitive.
- Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic or lactic acid: Exfoliate dead skin, improve texture. Use 2-3 nights a week. Don’t use with retinoids on the same night.
- Beta hydroxy acid (BHA) like salicylic acid: Penetrates pores. Great for blackheads and oily skin. Use 2-3 nights a week.
- Peptides: Help rebuild collagen. Gentle enough for daily use. Good for mature skin.
After your treatment, apply moisturizer. If your skin feels dry or flaky from active ingredients, use a thicker cream or add a facial oil like rosehip or jojoba.
What to avoid
Most people ruin their skin with these mistakes:
- Using too many actives at once. Retinol + AHA + BHA + vitamin C = red, burning skin. Pick one active per night.
- Skipping sunscreen because it’s cloudy. UV damage adds up.
- Washing face with hot water. It strips natural oils and triggers redness.
- Using harsh scrubs or brushes. They cause micro-tears. Use your fingers.
- Buying products based on Instagram influencers. Check ingredient lists. If it’s mostly alcohol, fragrance, or water, skip it.
Adjust for your goals
Your routine should change based on what you want to fix.
For acne: Cleanse twice daily. Use salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide (5%) at night. Moisturize anyway. Don’t let dryness make acne worse. Avoid heavy oils like coconut oil.
For dark spots: Use vitamin C in the morning. Add niacinamide (5%) at night. Always wear sunscreen. Dark spots fade slowly-expect 8-12 weeks.
For wrinkles: Use retinol nightly (after building tolerance). Add peptides. Hyaluronic acid helps plump fine lines. Don’t expect miracles, but consistent use shows visible improvement in 3-6 months.
For sensitivity: Stick to ceramides, squalane, glycerin. Avoid fragrance, essential oils, alcohol, and physical scrubs. Patch test new products behind your ear for 3 days before using on your face.
Track progress, not perfection
Don’t expect overnight results. Skin renews every 28-40 days. Give any new product at least 6-8 weeks before deciding if it works. Take a photo every two weeks. You’ll notice changes you didn’t feel.
Keep it simple. Stick to your routine even on busy days. Skip a step? That’s okay. But don’t quit. Consistency beats intensity.
If your skin gets worse after 4-6 weeks, stop everything. See a dermatologist. You might have rosacea, eczema, or an allergic reaction. Don’t self-diagnose with YouTube videos.
How long should I wait between applying skin care products?
You don’t need to wait minutes between steps. Let each product absorb for 30-60 seconds before applying the next. Thicker products like creams take longer than serums. If your skin feels sticky or pilling, you’re layering too fast or using incompatible formulas. Simplify.
Can I use the same routine year-round?
No. In winter, your skin gets drier. Switch to a richer moisturizer and reduce exfoliation. In summer, you sweat more and get more sun. Use lighter moisturizers and reapply sunscreen. Seasonal shifts matter more than you think.
Do I need eye cream?
Not necessarily. The skin around your eyes is thin, but your regular moisturizer works fine if it’s gentle. Eye creams are often just moisturizers with fancy packaging. Skip them unless you have specific concerns like puffiness or dark circles-and even then, caffeine serums or cold compresses help more than expensive creams.
Is expensive skincare better than drugstore?
No. The most effective ingredients-retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, ceramides-are sold at drugstores. Brands like CeraVe, The Ordinary, and La Roche-Posay deliver results without the markup. Pay for formulation and packaging, not the name.
What if I have both acne and aging signs?
Use niacinamide daily-it reduces oil, fades dark spots, and strengthens the barrier. At night, alternate retinol and salicylic acid. Don’t use them together. Moisturize well. You can manage both concerns without harsh products.
Next steps
Start tomorrow. Pick one product you don’t have: a gentle cleanser or SPF 30. Use it for a week. Then add a moisturizer. Then maybe a vitamin C serum. Build slowly. Your skin will thank you.
Don’t chase perfection. Chase consistency. A simple routine done every day beats a complicated one done three times a week. Your skin doesn’t care about luxury. It cares about care.