A Skincare Routine That Makes Sense: What Do You Actually Need?
A simple routine built around what each step does instead of collecting the largest number of products.
Skincare · 6 min read · August 22, 2026
Skincare is not a product competition
Cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen provide the foundation. Then add one or more actives based on the actual problem instead of introducing five ingredients in the same week.
The order of thinking
- What is the main problem: acne, pigmentation, dryness, redness or aging?
- Choose an active that actually targets that problem.
- Start at a frequency your skin can tolerate.
- Protect the skin from the sun and assess tolerance before adding another step.
If you cannot explain why you are using the product, you probably do not need it in the routine.
Medical references
Medical review
This guide was written and medically reviewed by Dr. Yousef Abo Zarad, a German board-certified specialist in Dermatology and Venereology.