How to Build a Simple 3-Step Skincare Routine for Your Skin Type
You don't need a 12-step routine. Most skin does best with three steps done consistently, morning and night, plus sunscreen during the day.
The hard part isn't the steps. It's choosing the right product for each one. Here's how to do that for your skin type.
Step 1: Cleanse Gently
The American Academy of Dermatology's face-washing advice is refreshingly simple:
- Wash twice a day, and after heavy sweating.
- Use lukewarm water and a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser without alcohol.
- Use your fingertips. Washcloths and scrubbing tools can irritate skin.
- Pat dry with a soft towel.
If your skin feels tight or squeaky after cleansing, your cleanser is too harsh.
Step 2: Treat One Concern
This is where people overdo it. Pick your number-one concern and choose one treatment for it. You can add another later, once you know how your skin reacts.
- Dullness or uneven tone: Vitamin C Serum, an antioxidant serum best used in the morning under sunscreen
- Shine, enlarged-looking pores or redness: Niacinamide Serum
- Tightness or dehydration: Hyaluronic Acid Serum, applied to damp skin
- The occasional blemish: Aloe & Tea Tree Blemish Control Gel, on spots only
Step 3: Moisturize
Every skin type needs this step, including oily skin. Skipping moisturizer often leaves oily skin feeling tight and looking shinier. The difference is texture:
- Oily or combination: Oil Control Moisturizer, lightweight with green tea and chamomile
- Dry or dehydrated: Intense Hydration Cream, richer, with hyaluronic acid and avocado oil
The Step That Isn't Optional: Sunscreen
In the morning, finish with sunscreen. The AAD recommends a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day, including cloudy days, since UV rays come through clouds. Use about a teaspoon for your face, and reapply roughly every two hours when you're outside.
Your Routine at a Glance
| Skin type | Cleanse | Treat | Moisturize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oily | Activated Charcoal Face Wash | Niacinamide Serum | Oil Control Moisturizer |
| Combination | Gentle, fragrance-free cleanser | Niacinamide or Vitamin C Serum | Oil Control Moisturizer |
| Dry | Gentle, fragrance-free cleanser | Hyaluronic Acid Serum | Intense Hydration Cream |
| Sensitive | Gentle, fragrance-free cleanser | Hyaluronic Acid Serum, after a patch test | Your gentlest moisturizer, after a patch test |
Not sure which row is you? Our AI-assisted skin care quiz asks a few questions about your skin and recommends a 3-step routine from our line.
Give It Time
Introduce one new product at a time and give it at least six weeks. That's how long the AAD says most products need before you can judge them. If you want the exact order to layer everything, I cover it in The Perfect Order.
Take care of yourself out there.
— Amber
Founder, BBF By Amber 💕
Medical & Health Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and isn't medical advice. I'm not a doctor or licensed healthcare professional. Talk to a board-certified dermatologist about persistent skin concerns.
Keep Reading
- The Perfect Order: How to Layer Your Skincare, Morning and Night
- Your 10 Most Common Skin Care Questions, Answered Honestly
- Dry vs. Dehydrated Skin: What Hydration Actually Means (and What Water Can't Fix)
Sources
- Face washing 101, American Academy of Dermatology
- Sunscreen FAQs, American Academy of Dermatology
- How to get the most out of anti-aging products, American Academy of Dermatology