Ever look at your bathroom shelf and feel like you’re managing a pharmacy? Serums, essences, oils, tonics, tools. And still…your skin feels a little ‘meh’.
You’re not alone. Somewhere along the way, skincare became complicated. Ten steps became the gold standard. More products meant better skin. Or at least, that’s what the marketing said.
But your skin doesn’t crave complexity: it craves consistency. And while the beauty world spins out trend after trend, the truth remains quietly unchanged. If you're not doing these three steps every day, you're not really taking care of your skin.
So, let’s cut through the noise. Forget what’s trending. These are the three skincare steps you should never skip: whether you’re 23 or 63, oily or dry, a skincare minimalist or a proud product junkie.
Because sometimes, going back to basics is the best decision.
Cleansing: It’s More Than Just Removing Dirt
Let’s start where every good skincare story begins: with a clean slate.
Cleansing might not feel glamorous. It doesn’t tingle like a retinol or brighten like a vitamin C serum. But skip this step or do it poorly…and you’re building your entire routine on shaky ground.
Throughout the day, your skin collects a lot more than you realize: pollution, sweat, sunscreen, makeup, bacteria, excess oil. And overnight? It’s still at work, shedding dead skin cells and purging toxins. If you’re not washing all that away, your next steps (moisturizer, treatment serums, SPF) are basically trying to perform on a dirty stage.
But here’s the catch: not all cleansing is created equal. Over-cleansing with harsh soaps or foaming cleansers can strip your skin’s natural barrier. Under-cleansing, on the other hand, leaves pores clogged and texture dull.
So how do you get it right?
- In the morning, a gentle cleanse preps your skin for hydration and protection.
- At night, double cleansing (an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based one) is a smart move if you wear sunscreen, makeup, or live in a polluted city.
- Always look for a pH-balanced cleanser: one that won’t disrupt your skin’s acid mantle, which helps keep moisture in and bad bacteria out.
Your cleanser doesn’t need to smell fancy or cost a fortune. It just needs to be kind, effective, and consistent. Because when cleansing is done right, everything else that follows gets better.
Moisturizing: It’s Not Just for Dry Skin
If cleansing is about removing what doesn’t belong, moisturizing is about reinforcing what does.
Let’s bust a common myth right here: “I have oily skin, so I don’t need moisturizer.”
Wrong. All skin—oily, dry, combination, sensitive—needs moisture. In fact, when oily skin is dehydrated, it often produces more oil to compensate. The result? Breakouts, shininess, and that frustrating tight-but-greasy feeling.
Moisturizer isn’t just about hydration. It’s about protection. It supports your skin’s barrier function, helps retain water, reduces inflammation, and makes your skin less reactive to environmental stress. It’s your skin’s daily shield—and without it, even the most expensive serums won’t go very far.
What should you look for in a good moisturizer?
- Hyaluronic acid to bind water to the skin.
- Ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier.
- Niacinamide to calm redness and improve texture.
- Squalane or jojoba oil for gentle emollient support (especially in drier climates).
And no, it doesn’t have to be thick and greasy. Gel-based moisturizers are great for oily or acne-prone skin. Creams and balms work well for dry or mature skin. What matters most is that you use one. If you’ve ever felt your skin looking dull or “tired,” chances are it wasn’t missing a miracle ingredient. It was just thirsty.
Confused? Don’t be. Click here to learn more about how to choose the right moisturiser for your skin.
Protection: Sunscreen Is Not Optional
If there’s one step that determines how your skin will look five, ten, even twenty years from now—it’s this one.
Sunscreen isn’t optional. Not just when it’s sunny. Not just on holiday. Not just if you burn easily. Every. Single. Day.
Here’s why: over 80% of visible skin aging is caused by UV exposure. That includes fine lines, loss of elasticity, uneven tone, and pigmentation. Even when it’s cloudy, even when you’re inside near a window, UVA rays (the ones responsible for aging) are quietly doing their damage.
And it’s not just the sun anymore. Blue light from screens and pollution particles are emerging culprits in premature aging and pigmentation—especially for those with melanin-rich skin.
So let’s make this clear:
- Your moisturizer with SPF 15? Not enough.
- Your foundation with SPF 30? Still not enough.
- Reapplying? Essential if you're outside!
What you want is a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Lightweight, non-comedogenic, and preferably with added antioxidants like vitamin E or green tea to neutralize free radicals.
To learn more, here is a guide by ADD (American Academy of Dermatology) on how to choose the right suncreen.
Sunscreen isn’t just your final step, it’s your long-term insurance policy. Skip it, and you’re undoing the hard work of every serum and moisturizer you’ve ever used.
So if you’re truly serious about skincare, don’t leave the house without it. Your future face will thank you.
The Power of Consistency Over Complexity
In a world of 10-step routines, overnight fixes, and constant product launches, it’s easy to forget the basics. But skin doesn’t thrive on trends. It thrives on consistency.
Cleansing clears the path. Moisturizing reinforces your foundation. And sunscreen shields you from everything trying to undo your progress. These three steps are non-negotiable! Without them, no serum or treatment can reach its full potential. But once you’ve built this strong foundation, you can go further.
That’s when active ingredients (like vitamin C for brightening, retinol for texture and aging, or even exosomes for cellular regeneration) can take your routine to the next level.
Exosomes, especially, are the new frontier in skincare.
To learn more about exosome science: click here.
Unlike traditional actives that sit on the surface, exosomes deliver targeted messages to your skin cells, guiding them to repair, rebuild, and glow from within. Read more about exosomes here: What Are Exosomes and Why Are They Revolutionizing Skincare?
The basics keep your skin healthy. The right actives? They help it evolve. So start simple. Stay consistent.
