One of my favorite things is skincare. Today I am showing you how to build a skincare routine for beginners. I have always loved skincare. I was scrubbing off layers of skin with St. Ives apricot scrub back in the day. My taste has changed a bit but my love of skincare has stayed. As much as I love skincare I understand how it can be intimidating.

I love lotions and potions but I know you don’t need every product under the sun. I am going to break this down product by product, as well as how to add in products to address specific skin issues.

4 Step Skincare Routine

Like I said you don’t need a million products. The foundation of a good skincare routine is 4 steps. Cleanse, tone, moisturize, and protect. Cleanse your skin, tone it, moisturize it, and protect it from environmental factors. Let’s break this down product by product.

Cleanser

First things first, you need to wash your face. Seriously. Washing your face is the easiest way to keep the yuckies at bay. Personally, I am partial to a cleansing oil or balm. There are 2 that I recommend for beginners. The Dhc cleansing oil is a holy grail favorite and the dermalogica precleanse is a new favorite. Cleansing oils double as makeup removers, so there’s no need for any wipes.

Toner

Toner is a product people tend to have strong feelings about. I am firmly on team toner. It helps get rid of anything that may be left behind after cleansing, and keeps your skin balanced. This is a product I don’t think you should spend a ton of money on. Lush’s tea tree toner is my every day, and thayers is an old favorite.

Moisturizer

Regardless of skin type, your skin needs moisture. Properly hydrated skin will keep you looking youthful. I have 2 I recommend. For dry, and mature skin the clinique moisture surge intense is perfect. For combo, normal, and oily skin this hydroboost gel cream keeps skin moisturized without being greasy.

Sunscreen

If there is anything I wish I could go back and tell 13 year old me it would be to start wearing sunscreen NOW. Sunscreen is your first line of defense to aging and skin cancer. I grew up thinking because I had dark skin I didn’t need it. If anything I learned sun damage shows up differently on dark skin, and skin cancer can be harder to detect.

Regardless of how many products you end up with in your skincare routine, sunscreen should always be your last step. I swear by supergoop. The thing to look for in sunscreen is at least spf 30.

Extras

Now that you’ve got the basics down you can start adding in extras. I would start with an eye cream. This one is perfect for beginners. I’m a fan of serums and masks as well. The thing to remember when you want to customize your routine is to address specific issues.

If you are acne prone, look for products that work for treating acne. If you are worried about your pores or texture, acids are your friend. Now that you’ve got your base, sky is the limit.

Looking for more skincare inspo? Checkout my summer routine here and my picks for the sephora sale.

This post contains #affliate links. If you purchase through them I may make a small commission. As always, all opinions are my own.