Essential Skincare Routines for Every Skin Type

Taking care of our skin is not an easy task. If we don't know what type of skin we have, we can choose the wrong facial care products, and treat it incorrectly.

Navigating the world of cleansers, serums, and moisturizers can feel overwhelming, but it all starts with one simple step: knowing your skin. Let's break down the five main skin types and build a personalized routine for each.

1. Normal skin:

Balanced, clear, and not prone to reactions. You have the skin we all envy! Maintain balance and support overall skin health with preventative care.

Characteristics: No severe oiliness or dryness.

Key goals: Maintain balance and support overall skin health with preventative care.

Your Routine: 

• Cleanser: twice a day with a gentle, nonfoaming cleanser.

• Scrubber: 1-2 times per a week. 

• Moisturizer: with a light, hydrating moisturizer. Protect your skin from sun damage with an SPF of 30 or more. 

• Serum: As a bonus step, you can treat the skin with a serum to brighten, hydrate, or smooth.

  
  

  2. The Oily Skin Type:

Oily skin is one of the most common skin types—and one of the most misunderstood. While excess oil can lead to shine, clogged pores, and breakouts, it also has its advantages, such as slower wrinkle formation and naturally hydrated skin. The key to managing oily skin isn’t stripping it dry, but balancing it with the right skincare routine.

Characteristics: Enlarged pores, persistent shine . especially in the T-zone, and a tendency towards blackheads and whiteheads.

Key goals: Regulate sebum (oil) production, keep pores clear, and maintain hydration.

Your routine: 

• Cleanser: A gentle gel or foaming cleanser with ingredients like Salicylic Acid ( helps unclog pores), Niacianamid (balances oil production), or Tea Tree Oil (calming and antibacterial). Cleanse twice a day—morning and night—to remove dirt, sweat, and excess oil, but avoid over-cleansing, as it can irritate your skin.

• Toner: A toner can help refine pores and remove leftover residue after cleansing. Use toner once or twice daily, depending on your skin’s tolerance. Best toners for oily skin: alcohol-free formulas, AHAs or BHAs for light exfoliation.

• Serum: Serums deliver active ingredients directly to the skin and can greatly improve oil control. Great serum ingredients for oily skin: Niacinamide (reduces shine and redness), Zinc (controls oil), Hyaluronic acid (hydrates without heaviness). Apply 1–2 drops and gently pat into the skin.

• Moisturizer: Yes, you still need one! Opt for an oil-free, non-comedogenic gel or water-based moisturizer. Hyaluronic Acid is your best friend—it hydrates without adding oil.

• Sunscreen: (morning only) it is essential—even if your skin is oily or acne-prone. Choose sunscreens that are:

  • Gel or fluid-based

  • Matte or “dry touch”

  • Non-comedogenic

Apply daily as the final step of your morning routine.

• Weekly treatments - exfoliation and masks:

  • Exfoliation (1–2 times per week): chemical exfoliants are generally better than harsh scrubs; Salicylic acid (BHA) penetrates pores; Glycolic or lactic acid (AHA) improves texture. Over-exfoliating can increase oiliness, so keep it minimal.

  • Clay Masks (once a week): absorb excess oil and help tighten pores. Kaolin or bentonite clay are great choices; avoid letting the mask fully crack and dry.

    
    

    3. Dry Skin:

Dry skin can feel tight, rough, flaky, and sometimes even itchy. It often lacks moisture and natural oils, which can make it look dull and feel uncomfortable—especially during colder months or after cleansing. The good news? With the right skincare routine and a bit of consistency, dry skin can become soft, smooth, and healthy-looking again.

Characteristics: A feeling of tightness, rough or flaky texture, dullness, and more visible fine lines.

Key goals: Replenish moisture, repair the skin barrier, and lock in hydration.

Your routine: 

• Gentle Cleanser: Use it morning and evening! Creamy and milk-based cleanser is the perfect choice for your skin, with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid. Tip: wash your face with lukewarm water - not hot! - to prevent further dryness.

• Hydrating toner or essence: it helps replenish moisture immediately after cleansing and prepares your skin for the next steps. Apply it by gently patting it into the skin with your hands. Best ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Aloe vera, Rose water.

• Serum for deep hydration: it delivers concentrated hydration and nourishment. Apply 1–2 drops while your skin is still slightly damp. Choose serums with Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide and Peptides.

• Rich moisturizer: this step is very important in your skin’s case. A good moisturizer seals in all the hydration and protects the skin barrier. Look for ceramides, Shea butter, Squalane and natural oils. Use a richer cream at night and a slightly lighter one in the morning if needed.

• Facial oil: If your skin feels extremely dry, adding facial oil can make a big difference. Press a few drops over your moisturizer to lock everything in. Great options: jojoba oil, argan oil, rosehip oil.

• Sunscreen: Morning only! Dry skin still needs sun protection—daily. The best choice is cream-based or moisturizing sunscreens with SPF30 or higher.

• Weekly treatment:

  • Gentle Exfoliation: 1-2 times per a week. Exfoliation helps remove flaky skin, but overdoing it can worsen dryness. Use mild chemical exfoliants like lactic acid or PHA.

  • Hydrating face masks: 1-2 times a week. Treat your skin to a deeply hydrating mask to restore moisture and glow.

    
    

  4. Combination Skin Type:

Combination skin can feel confusing to care for. One part of your face may feel oily and shiny—usually the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin)—while other areas feel normal or dry. The secret to caring for combination skin is balance: controlling oil without stripping moisture. With the right routine, combination skin can look clear, smooth, and healthy.

Characteristics: an oily or shiny T-zone, normal to dry cheeks, occasional breakouts in oily areas, dryness or tightness in other areas.

Key goals: Balance. You need to address two different areas without over-drying or over-moisturizing.

Your routine: 

• Gentle balancing cleaner: Use it morning and night too. Cleansing should remove excess oil without drying out the skin. Look for gel or lightweight cream cleansers, pH-balanced formulas, with ingredients like green tea or glycerin. Tip: If your cheeks feel tight after cleansing, your cleanser may be too harsh.

• Lightweight toner: A toner helps balance oil production while adding light hydration. Best ingredients - Niacinamide, witch hazel (alcohol free), hyaluronic acid.

• Targeted Serum: choose serums with Niacinamide (oil control + barrier support), Hyaluronic acid ( hydration without heaviness), centella asiatica.

• Light but effective moisturizer: Skipping moisturizer can actually cause your skin to produce more oil. Choose: gel-cream or lotion textures and non-comedogenic formulas.

• Sunscreen (morning only): Daily sunscreen is essential for your skin. Choose lightweight, non-greasy sunscreens, gel or fluid formulas with SPF30 or higher.

Weekly care:

• Exfoliation: helps unclog pores and smooth dry patches. BHA (salicylic acid) for oily areas, gentle AHA (like lactic acid) for dry areas.

• Multi masking: One of the best techniques for combination skin is multi-masking. Clay masks on the T-zone to absorb oil, hydrating masks on cheeks to nourish dry skin.

5. Sensitive skin:

Sensitive skin reacts easily to products, weather, and environmental changes. It may feel itchy, sting, burn, or become red and irritated. Less is more when it comes to sensitive skin.

Characteristics: Sensitive skin often shows - redness or flushing, burning or stinging sensations, dry patches or tightness, reactions to fragranced or active products.

Key goals: The goal of a sensitive-skin routine is soothing, strengthening the skin barrier, and minimizing irritation. Less is more when it comes to sensitive skin.

Your routine: 

• Ultra gentle cleanser: Look for cream or lotion cleansers, fragrance-free and sulfate-free formulas, ingredients like oat extract or glycerin. Tip: Cleanse with lukewarm water and use your fingertips—no scrubbing.

• Soothing toner or mist: A calming toner can reduce redness and hydrate the skin. Best ingredients: Centella asiatica, Chamomile, Aloe vera, Panthenol.Apply by gently patting into the skin.

• Barrier-repair serum: Serums for sensitive skin should focus on strengthening, not exfoliating. Choose serums with: Niacinamide (low concentration), Ceramides, Beta-glucan.

• Calming Moisturizer: Moisturizing is crucial for protecting sensitive skin from external irritants. Look for: Ceramides, Shea butter, Squalane. A simple, minimal-ingredient formula works best.

• Mineral sunscreen: Sun exposure can worsen sensitivity and redness. Best options: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, fragrance-free mineral sunscreens, SPF 30 or higher. 

• Weekly care:

  • Exfoliation: Keep it minimal. Use very mild enzyme exfoliants. 

  • Soothing face masks: Use calming masks to reduce redness and strengthen the skin barrier.

6. Acne-Prone Skin

Acne-prone skin is more than just breakouts—it often involves excess oil, clogged pores, inflammation, and sensitivity.

Characteristics: Blackheads and whiteheads, inflammatory pimples, excess oil, post-acne marks. Using overly harsh products can worsen acne by causing irritation and rebound oil production.

Key goals: The goal is to treat acne while protecting the skin barrier to prevent further breakouts. Consistency is key.

Your routine: 

• Gentle foaming or gel-cleanser: it helps remove oil, dirt, and bacteria without over-drying, use it morning and night. Look for: gel cleansers, Salicylic acid (low concentration), tea tree or green tea extracts.

• Clarifying toner: helps refine pores and control excess oil. Best ingredients: Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Witch hazel (alcohol-free). Apply lightly, especially on breakout-prone areas.

• Acne-treatment serum: Target breakouts without damaging the skin barrier. Effective ingredients: Salicylic acid, Azelaic acid, Niacinamide. Introduce activities slowly to avoid irritation.

• Lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer: choose - oil-free or gel-based moisturizers, non-comedogenic formulas.

• Sunscreen (morning only): Sun protection prevents post-acne marks and irritation. Best sunscreens for acne-prone skin - gel or fluid textures, non-comedogenic with SPF 30 or higher.

• Weekly care: 

  • Exfoliation care: 1-2 times a week. Use BHA (salicylic acid), avoid over-exfoliating, which can increase inflammation.

  • Clay mask: once a week, use a clay mask to absorb excess oil and purify pores.

Still not sure which products are right for your skin care? Don't hesitate! Write to us: describe your skin in a few sentences, it's best if you can attach a close-up photo of your face. We protect your privacy, we will not share the photo anywhere, we will not forward it anywhere! We will create a treatment plan for you with the products on our site.

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