If your skincare routine includes these 7 steps, you're doing it right

I used to believe great skin came from chasing “miracle” products. Then my inner former financial analyst kicked in, and I started treating my routine like a simple system: a few essential steps done consistently, with inputs I could actually understand.

If you’ve been wondering whether your own routine is on the right track, run it through this seven-step gut check. If these steps are already in the mix most days, you’re in a very good place.

Let’s get into it.

1. Start with a gentle cleanse

Do you ever wash your face and feel that squeaky, tight sensation? That’s your skin barrier asking for mercy.

A good cleanse should remove sweat, SPF, and buildup without leaving your face dry or filmy. I stick with a pH-balanced, non-stripping cleanser and adjust the texture to the season—gel when it’s humid, cream when the air is dry.

If I’ve been wearing long-wear makeup or lots of sunscreen, I’ll start with an oil or balm, then follow with my regular cleanser. Otherwise, one gentle cleanse does the job.

Small tweaks matter: lukewarm water (not hot), 30–60 seconds of massaging (not scrubbing), and a clean towel, always. If your skin feels tight afterward, it’s your sign to switch to something softer.

2. Layer a morning antioxidant

Think of this as your daily insurance policy.

Antioxidants—like vitamin C, ferulic acid, or resveratrol—help defend against pollution, stress, and sunlight’s sneaky free radicals. I use a few drops after cleansing in the morning, letting it sink in before anything occlusive goes on top.

If your skin is sensitive, look for gentler formats (magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, THD ascorbate) or alternate days. The goal isn’t to chase a tingle; it’s to quietly reduce oxidative stress so your skin stays brighter and calmer over time.

And no, more isn’t more. Your skin can only use so much active ingredient at once—save your budget and your barrier.

3. Add water, then seal it in

Here’s a habit that changed my skin: I apply a humectant serum (think hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe) onto slightly damp skin, then follow with moisturizer to trap that water in place.

When I skip this, I notice dehydration lines by lunchtime—especially after a long trail run or a day in heated indoor air.

If you’re oily, a lightweight gel-cream may be plenty to seal in hydration. If you’re dry or dealing with retinoids, a richer cream or a “moisture sandwich” (serum → thin moisturizer → step 6’s treatment → another whisper of moisturizer) can be magic.

Test this for a week. Most people are surprised by how much smoother makeup goes on when the skin is properly hydrated first.

4. Finish mornings with SPF (no skipping)

Dermatologists are refreshingly unanimous here. As the American Academy of Dermatology notes, choose “broad-spectrum, water-resistant, SPF 30 or higher.”

That single sentence does a lot of heavy lifting. Broad-spectrum covers UVA (aging) and UVB (burning). Water-resistant matters if you sweat or spend time outdoors. SPF 30+ keeps your bases covered day to day.

What actually gets people to use sunscreen daily? Texture. Find one you love—gel, fluid, mineral, tinted—and keep it by the door with your keys. I’m outside a lot (garden days, farmers’ market shifts), so I reapply with a stick or a mist I keep in my tote.

Two fingers’ worth for face and neck is the rule of thumb, but don’t forget ears, chest, and the backs of hands. Consistency beats perfection.

5. Reset at night: remove, cleanse, and get the day off your face

Even the best moisturizer can’t do much if last night’s makeup and today’s SPF are still hanging around.

At night, I remove first (micellar water, balm, or oil), then cleanse with my gentle wash. On light days, one cleanse is fine; on heavy SPF/makeup days, two steps make a difference.

I treat this step like brushing my teeth—basic hygiene that prevents bigger problems later. If your skin still looks dull or congested despite good products, this is the step to scrutinize.

Are you taking 45 seconds to really massage the cleanser and hit hairline, jawline, and around the nose? Are you rinsing thoroughly? The unglamorous details add up.

6. Use a retinoid thoughtfully (the night shift)

Retinoids are workhorses: they nudge cell turnover, support collagen, and help with texture and tone. As Harvard Health puts it, retinoids are “the most used and most studied anti-aging compounds” and they “may reduce fine lines and wrinkles.”

A few rules of thumb from my own patch-tested, spreadsheet-brain journey:

• Start low and slow (e.g., two nights a week), and let your skin adjust.

• A pea-sized amount is plenty for the whole face. More isn’t better—more is just irritated.

• Apply to dry skin and follow with moisturizer. If you’re sensitive, buffer by applying moisturizer first.

• Skip on nights you’re sunburned, freshly waxed, or using other strong exfoliants.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing conditions like eczema or rosacea, check with a dermatologist before you start. The goal is long-term tolerance, not a two-week sprint.

7. Exfoliate weekly, not daily

Over-exfoliation is the silent barrier killer. You want enough to lift dullness, not so much that you’re red and reactive.

Chemical exfoliants (AHAs like lactic/glycolic and BHAs like salicylic) tend to be gentler and more even than scrubs.

As noted by Harvard Health, “Exfoliating once or twice a week can remove dead skin cells and help your skin look more refreshed.”

I treat exfoliation like seasoning—add a pinch when the texture looks a little blah or pores look stubborn, then step back. If you’re also using a retinoid, alternate nights (or even alternate weeks). And always pair acids with daily SPF, because fresh skin is more sun-sensitive.

Putting it all together (and keeping it simple)

If you prefer a straight-line summary, here’s how this looks on a normal day:

Morning: Cleanse → Antioxidant → Hydrating serum → Moisturizer (if you need it) → Sunscreen
Night: Remove (if needed) → Cleanse → Retinoid (or exfoliant, not both) → Moisturizer

What I love about these steps is how adaptable they are.

Acne-prone? Choose lighter textures and BHAs. Dry or mature? Lean into ceramides and richer creams. Sensitive? Patch test new things on your jawline for a few nights before committing, and introduce one new product at a time.

A question I ask myself whenever I’m tempted by a shiny new serum: what problem is this solving in my routine? If I can’t answer that in a sentence, I don’t buy it. My skin—and my budget—both thank me.

A quick personal note

On weekends, you’ll find me running dusty trails at sunrise. I used to come home, splash my face with hot water, and skip moisturizer because I “didn’t want to be shiny.”

It took me longer than I’d like to admit to realize that sweat plus sun equals dehydration, and dehydration reads as crepey, not glowy. Now I do a 30-second cleanse, a hydrating serum, lightweight moisturizer, and a fresh layer of SPF before I even make coffee.

The difference in how my skin feels the rest of the day is wild.

Final thought

You don’t need a 12-step routine and a cabinet full of half-empty jars.

You need a few smart steps, done most days: cleanse, treat, hydrate, protect—then reset and repair at night, with gentle exfoliation as your occasional tune-up.

If your routine already covers these seven, you’re absolutely on the right track. Keep it steady, listen to your skin, and let time do what time does best—show the compounding returns of good habits.