The Ultimate 6-Step Skincare Routine For Healthy & Glowing Skin

The first and foremost step in your skincare routine will be cleansing your face before you go ahead and apply the concoction of moisturisers and serums. The type of cleanser you choose also depends on your skin type. If you have oily skin, then I'd suggest going with a foaming cleanser, but if you have dry skin, then go for something more creamy that'll keep your skin hydrated. If you have acne-prone skin, you can consider face wash with actives like salicylic acid, which will help you fight acne and remove dead skin.

When cleansing at night, I'd suggest double cleansing. A double cleanse helps you get a deeper cleanse and after a long day of being out it's important to make sure you don’t sleep with any of the dirt and makeup. To double cleanse you'll have to use an oil-based cleanser first that will help break down any build-up or product and then follow up with a usual face cleanser. You can also use a cleansing balm if you use makeup regularly. 

Pro-Tip: Check out the best face cleansers for oily skin here and dry skin here.

A toner is optional. It's main job is to restore your skin's pH level and remove any last traces of dirt so that what you apply next on your skin is able to penetrate better into your skin. If you choose to add a toner, I'd suggest choosing one for a specific skin concern — to boost hydration, gentle exfoliation, soothing inflammation. A lot of toners have alcohol, which tends to dry out skin, so make sure you read the ingredients list before shopping. 

A serum is basically a potent solution that can help you achieve results faster for certain concerns you might have. Today, the most basic skincare routines include a serum, and you can find one that suits your needs, whether it's treating acne, hyperpigmentation, dullness, or just hydration. If you're using multiple serums then I'd suggest layering the the most lightweight first and then applying the heavier ones. It's also important for you to wait for the serum to absorb into the skin before applying the next, this actually applies to all the products that follow. 

If you're new and are looking for serums to add to your routine, I'd suggest hyaluronic acid serum, vitamin c serum or niacinamide serum to begin with during the day. For your night skincare, you could consider adding peptides or retinol. Be careful with retinol though, you must incorporate this in your skincare slowly and gradually, and usually after the age of 25.

Pro-Tip: Check out the best serums for acne-prone skin, for dry skin and for glowing skin.

Use this one for nighttime skincare routine.

This is a super important step no matter what skin type you have. Properly moisturised skin means a healthy skin barrier, which means that your skin has the ability to resolve most skincare concerns on its own. When looking for a moisturiser (or any skincare really) make sure the ingredients are spot on, and avoid any fragrance or alcohol that can cause irritation or dryness. If you have oily skin then go for a gel-based moisturiser that will absorb quickly, for dry skin go for cream- or lotion-based moisturisers, and people with normal skin types can opt for either. Another thing to make sure is that your moisturiser is non-comedogenic, which means it doesn’t clog your pores.

In moisturisers, you can look for actives such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide — these are some of the ingredients dominating the market right now that will be able to provide you with optimum hydration. 

Pro-Tip: Check out the best moisturisers in the market right now.

Many people have questions regarding when to apply eye cream, well it's mostly after your moisturiser. I say mostly because it also depends on the type of eye cream you have. If you have an eye cream that is heavy and rich, then you apply it after your moisturiser but if it's a lightweight formula, then it's okay to apply it before the moisturiser too.

An eye cream can be applied twice a day in your AM and PM routine for the best results. I'd suggest keeping this step optional though as the research on its benefits is not very strong. Some people see a huge difference and some don't see much, so it really depends on the experience you have with it. My own dermatologist suggested trying it out and then deciding if I want to continue using it, as it's not an essential skincare routine step. The only thing it does is provide an extra boost of hydration, which helps slightly, considering that the eye area has even more sensitive skin compared to the rest of our face.

Pro-Tip: If you wish to try it out, here are the best eye creams in the market right now.

During the day, sunscreen is a non-negotiable, no matter whether you're staying inside your home or stepping out. Even the most basic skincare routine will have SPF. The newer formulations in the market have made it much easier to apply and reapply sunscreen, and we're thankful for that. Sunscreens are associated with just so many benefits that it would be a sin not to apply. For the Indian weather, it's best to use SPF 50 or more and PA++++ protection for optimum sun protection. 

Pro-Tip: If you'd like to know more about chemical and physical sunscreens, then keep reading here.

Check out the best physical sunscreens here.