Skincare can be daunting on its face – how many steps do I need, what products are best, what order do I use my products in? To help you digest the idea of creating a multi-step routine and single out some solid products to try out along your skincare journey, read some of our picks below.

Cleanse

Cleansing is the first step to every routine to help remove dirt, grime, sweat, sunscreen, and anything else from the face. When it comes to cleansing, you want to keep it as gentle as possible so as to not irritate the skin. If your skin typically displays no sensitivity, you can opt for the Special Cleansing Gel, but if you do have sensitive skin, try your hand at the Ultracalming cleanser. They’re both gentle in nature, but added ingredients in the Ultracalming cleanser such as oat extract work to actively calm down skin to prevent inflammation. 

• special cleansing gel

  
  special cleansing gel by Dermalogica

  Need This Now| $39

• Ultracalming Cleanser

  
  Ultracalming Cleanser by Dermalogica

  Need This Now| $39

Exfoliate

Exfoliation will follow your cleanse to help remove any further stubborn dirt or to help lift dead skin. Exfoliating is by no means required on a daily basis. In fact, you should really only do it two to three times per week and at night only, as it can make your skin far more sensitive to sunlight. If you have sensitive skin, you might have to do it even less frequently, so you’ll have to play around for a while. This Daily Microfoliant by Dermalogica is perfect for everyone to start with because the grains are fine and will not irritate the skin, and it can be used in a variety of ways to be more suitable to your routine. 

• Daily Microfoliant

  
  Daily Microfoliant by Dermalogica

  Need This Now| $59

Sheet Mask

Sheet masks are not required in a skincare routine each and every time. Similarly to exfoliation, aim to try it twice or three times per week. A sheet mask is cotton fiber soaked in thick serum, called essence. Overall it can be hugely hydrating to the skin, but some even boast brightening or acne clearing benefits as well, like these ones from Patchology. When you’re done with the mask, tap the essence left into your skin and let it dry down a little before proceeding. 

• The Good Fight Sheet Mask

  
  The Good Fight Sheet Mask by Patchology

  Need This Now| $5

• Just Let It Glow Sheet Mask

  
  Just Let It Glow Sheet Mask by Patchology

  Need This Now| $5

Serum

After cleansing or exfoliating comes serums, and frankly, this is where everyone gets left to their own devices a bit. To put it simply, serum can be many different things and can be composed of tons of varieties of active ingredients and you need to ensure you get one that’s right for you. If your skin is hyper dry, you might look to include hyaluronic acid but if you’re concerned with anti-aging you want something peptide based, so understanding your skin concerns is key. One of the most common skin concerns is hyperpigmentation, and this serum is a great place to start if you’re lost otherwise – it’s boosted with antioxidants to help with environmental stress on the skin, too!

• C-12 Pure Bright Serum

  
  C-12 Pure Bright Serum by Dermalogica

  Need This Now| $99

Eye Cream

People debate the efficacy of eye cream from time to time, but overall it’s really just about ensuring you apply moisture under the eye, too. Under eyes can be quite sensitive, so while some people opt for an eye cream with active ingredients, others simply bring their regular moisturizer up to the eye. If you can handle active ingredients under the eye, let us recommend this Total Eye Care with SPF 15 to help keep you looking younger longer! 

• Total Eye Care with SPF

  
  Total Eye Care with SPF by Dermalogica

  Need This Now| $53

Moisturize

Moisturizer is one of the final steps in a skincare routine, and this one from NOTO Botanics is the perfect one to try. It’s incredibly lightweight but packed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration, blue tansy for anti-inflammatory purposes, and clary sage for antibacterial properties just to name a few. If you’re not a fan of a cream, try out some oil blends to balance your skin’s ecosystem. 

• Moisture Riser Cream

  
  Moisture Riser Cream by NOTO Botanics

  Need This Now| $49

• Deep Serum

  
  Deep Serum by NOTO Botanics

  Need This Now| $49.50

• Regenerative Facial Serum

  
  Regenerative Facial Serum by Palermo Body

  Need This Now| $78

Protect

In the daytime, SPF is completely non-negotiable step of the skincare routine, no matter how you incorporate it. If you’re strictly a skincare gal, finish the routine with Prisma Protect. It adds a final dose of hydration and also works to improve skin tone and a dose of antioxidants to help prevent further sun damage to the skin. If you’re a makeup wearer, shop some of Supergoop!’s options – from setting spray to powder, there’s no reason not to incorporate SPF. 

• Prisma Protect Sunscreen

  
  Prisma Protect Sunscreen by Dermalogica

  Need This Now| $65

• Mineral Invincible Setting Powder

  
  Mineral Invincible Setting Powder by Supergoop!

  Need This Now| $30