9 beauty tips for people who were never taught how to care for themselves

We don’t all grow up with someone showing us how to look after our bodies, skin, or minds.

If that’s you, you’re not behind—you just haven’t had a playbook yet. I came to this late myself.

Years of living in spreadsheets trained me to look for simple systems that actually work, and that’s exactly how I treat “beauty” now: less about products, more about sustainable care.

Below are nine no-shame, beginner-friendly tips. Try one at a time. Keep what works. Toss what doesn’t.

1. Start with the simplest routine you’ll actually do

If you’ve never had a routine, begin with three steps morning and night: cleanse, moisturize, protect. That’s it.

Morning: splash with water or use a gentle cleanser, apply a basic moisturizer, and finish with sunscreen (more on that next).

Night: remove the day (cleanse), moisturize, and—if you want a fourth step—add one targeted product like a fragrance-free serum (vitamin C in the morning, or a low-strength retinoid at night once or twice a week).

A good rule: your skin shouldn’t feel tight, sting, or look red after products. If it does, dial back. “More” isn’t better; “consistent” is.

2. Make sunscreen non-negotiable

If you only do one “beauty” thing, make it daily sun protection.

Dermatologists recommend a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher—this is the boring, proven kind of care that prevents premature aging and protects your health.

As noted by the American Academy of Dermatology, the key is “broad spectrum…water resistant…SPF 30 or higher.”

Practical ways to stick with it:

• Keep one sunscreen by your toothbrush. Put it on face, ears, neck, and the backs of your hands right after brushing.

• Use the “two-finger” amount for face and neck (two lines of product along your index and middle finger).

• Prefer a finish you love—gel, lotion, or mineral—because the best sunscreen is the one you’ll wear.

• If you’re outdoors longer than a couple of hours, reapply. A travel stick lives in my running vest for this reason.

3. Feed your skin from the inside

You don’t need a complicated diet to look more awake.

Start with fundamentals: enough protein for tissue repair; colorful plants for antioxidants; and healthy fats, especially omega-3s (think flax, chia, walnuts).

I volunteer at a local farmers’ market, and the most common question I get is “What should I buy for my skin?”

My answer: whatever gets you eating more produce you actually enjoy.

Simple, plant-forward swaps that move the needle:

• Add a handful of leafy greens to your lunch.

• Keep frozen berries for smoothies and snacks.

• Swap one sugary beverage for water, seltzer, or unsweetened tea.

• Build a quick bowl: grains + beans or tofu + roasted vegetables + a squeeze of lemon.

4. Sleep like you’re on your own team

What if the most reliable “glow” is just sleep? Aim for a consistent window of 7–9 hours.

That’s the target most adults need, and your skin will show it. This is backed by the Sleep Foundation’s guidance on sleep duration and quality.

A few low-effort tweaks that helped me:

• Set a “get ready for bed” reminder 45 minutes before lights out.

• Dim screens and lights at night; get bright light early in the day.

• Keep your bedroom cool and boring: dark, quiet, no notifications.

• If you can’t fall asleep, try a wind-down ritual—stretching, a few pages of fiction, or box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4).

5. Hydrate without the drama

No, you don’t need to carry a gallon jug to be “good.”

But steady hydration keeps lips soft, reduces that papery look, and helps your energy.

Make it easy: keep a glass at your desk, sip with meals, and use “habit pairs” (every time you return from the bathroom, drink a half glass).

Herbal tea counts.

So do water-rich foods like cucumbers, citrus, and melon. If you love coffee, enjoy it—just add water to your day, too.

6. Tidy your inputs: stress, screens, and self-talk

I learned this the hard way.

During a chaotic work season, my jaw clenched, my skin went haywire, and I kept doomscrolling to “unwind”—which, of course, did the opposite.

Beauty starts to change when we change the inputs.

• Stress: Take micro-breaks. Two minutes of slow nose breathing can turn the volume down on your nervous system.

• Screens: Set “app speed bumps” (time limits, grayscale after 9 pm). Less blue-lit scrolling, better sleep, calmer skin.

• Self-talk: This one is sneaky but powerful. I like to borrow a line from poet and activist Audre Lorde: “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation.” When I remember that, it’s easier to make the boring, healthy choice.

7. Learn your texture, not someone else’s

Whether it’s skin or hair, working with your actual texture beats chasing someone else’s routine.

Start by naming a few specifics: oily T-zone with dry cheeks? Coily hair that loves moisture? Fine hair that gets weighed down? Sensitive skin that flares easily?

Then simplify:

• Choose gentle over “active” if you’re unsure. A fragrance-free cleanser and moisturizer are a safe base.

• Patch-test new products on a small area for 48 hours before applying widely.

• Change one thing at a time so you can see what helps (or hurts).

• For hair, pick a baseline: cleanse, condition, leave-in. Adjust frequency and richness based on how your scalp and ends actually feel.

8. Build a five-minute face (or a no-makeup plan)

If makeup overwhelms you, try a tiny kit. Mine fits in a zip pouch:

• Tinted moisturizer or sheer skin tint (bonus SPF if you’ll reapply).

• Brow gel to add structure.

• Curl lashes + a swipe of tubing mascara.

• Cream blush that doubles on lips.

• Optional: a touch of concealer where you want it (undereyes, redness).

Five minutes, done. On bare-faced days, “polish” comes from grooming: trim nails, moisturize hands and cuticles, brush brows, smooth lip balm, and dab a little oil or leave-in on frizz.

The point is not to hide anything—it’s to feel put-together with minimal effort.

9. Turn care into rituals, not chores

Rituals are kinder than rules. I stack small actions onto existing habits:

• AM stack: brush teeth → sunscreen → fill water glass.

• PM stack: set kettle for herbal tea → cleanse face → apply moisturizer → phone to airplane mode.

• Sunday reset: wash pillowcases, clean makeup brushes, restock shower caddy, set out workout clothes.

When I’m training for a trail race, I pack my running vest the night before—sunscreen stick, hat, snacks, water.

The visual cue reduces decision fatigue. You can do the same with a “care kit” by your sink: cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, washcloth.

When everything you need is within reach, you’re more likely to follow through.

Quick FAQ for late bloomers (aka most of us)

Do I need expensive products?
No. Save your money for sunscreen you’ll love, a moisturizer that actually comforts your skin, and—if you want to experiment—one quality serum. Everything else is optional.

How do I know if it’s working?
Look for boring wins: less tightness after cleansing, fewer dry flakes, more consistent energy, easier mornings. Take a simple selfie once a month in the same lighting; you’ll notice small improvements you’d otherwise miss.

What about “anti-aging”?
I prefer “pro-care.” Focus on sleep, sunscreen, and stress management first. If you later decide to add actives like retinoids or vitamin C, you’ll get better results on a calm, well-moisturized base. And remember, daily sunscreen is the most proven topical for preventing photoaging. The American Academy of Dermatology’s advice here is clear—and blissfully unsensational. AAD

I feel silly starting at my age.
I get it. I started my first real routine in my forties. Beginners have an advantage: fewer overcomplicated habits to unlearn. Pick one tip above and start there. Your future self will thank you.

Final thought

You don’t need a perfect routine or a bathroom full of products.

You need a few actions that respect your body—done most days. As the Sleep Foundation notes, basics like consistent sleep are powerful.

Pair that with sunscreen and a little kindness toward yourself, and you’ll look more like you feel: awake, present, and on your own team. 

If you try any of these, I’d love to hear what stuck.

Start small, stay kind, and build a routine you can live with. That’s real beauty.