The skincare routine you actually need

June 25, 2026

Open any social media and within thirty seconds you have ten different products, five actives you have never heard of and the feeling that your longstanding routine is worthless.
It is not.

How many products does a facial routine actually need?

Skincare has become more complicated than it needs to be. The reality is that a well-chosen five-step routine does more for your skin than a cupboard full of products you do not know how to combine.

The mistake of overcomplicating your skincare routine

Retinol, niacinamide, glycolic acid, peptides, bakuchiol. Every week a new ingredient appears that social media claims changes everything.
But skin does not need all of that at once. It needs consistency. It needs the basics in place, in the right order, every day.

Five steps. One basic facial routine. That is all.

Step 1: Cleanse

Everything starts here.

Clean skin is skin that can absorb what comes next. If you skip cleansing or do it poorly, the rest of your routine loses its effectiveness.

In the morning, a gentle cleanse is enough — the skin has been resting all night and does not need anything harsh. At night it matters more — you need to remove sunscreen, pollution and the sebum that has built up throughout the day.

Extra step: Exfoliation (1-2 times per week)
Not a daily step. But it is important.

Exfoliating removes the dead cells that accumulate on the skin's surface — the ones that dull the complexion, clog pores and prevent serums from penetrating properly. It is the reset the skin needs from time to time.

Once or twice a week is enough. More is not better — over-exfoliating irritates and inflames.

On the days you exfoliate, avoid retinol and other strong actives. The skin has already done enough work.

Step 2: Toner

Between the cleanser and the serum there is a step many people skip without realising it makes a difference.

After cleansing, the skin's pH shifts slightly. The toner rebalances it and prepares the skin to absorb the serum that follows more effectively.

A small step. A result you will notice.

Step 3: Serum

This is where it all comes together.

The serum is the step that makes the difference — the one that delivers the concentrated actives your skin needs according to its current condition. And this is where it is worth taking a moment to choose carefully.

If your skin needs radiance and a more even tone:
Vitamin C.

If your skin needs intense hydration:
Hyaluronic acid.

If your skin is prone to shine or enlarged pores:
Niacinamide.

If your skin needs to look less tired and recover vitality:
Exosomes.

If your skin needs to regenerate overnight and reduce the appearance of fine lines:
Retinol.

You do not need to use them all. One or two well chosen for what your skin needs right now is more than enough.

Step 4: Moisturiser

Moisturiser is not optional.
Even if you have oily skin. Even in summer. Well-hydrated skin is healthier, more resilient against environmental stressors and ages better.

Step 5: Sunscreen

This is the step most often skipped. And it is the most important.

The sun is the leading cause of premature skin ageing, pigmentation and loss of firmness. A good sunscreen applied every morning does more for the long-term appearance of your skin than any serum or treatment.

It always goes at the end of your morning routine, after moisturiser. And it should be reapplied if you are going to be in direct sun for hours. There is no excuse for not wearing it.

The complete routine

Five steps. Ten minutes.

Step	Product	Morning	Night
01	Cleanser Micellar gel or cleansing milk	✓	✓
+	Exfoliator 1-2 times per week	—	✓
02	Toner With hyaluronic acid or niacinamide	✓	✓
03	Serum According to your needs Vitamin C — Radiance. Morning. Hyaluronic acid — Hydration. Morning or night. Niacinamide — Pores and shine. Morning or night. Exosomes — Revitalisation. Morning or night. Retinol — Regeneration. Night only.	✓	✓
04	Moisturiser Light for daytime, richer at night	✓	✓
05	Sunscreen SPF 30 minimum, SPF 50 recommended	✓	—