How to establish a good skincare routine from scratch if you're feeling a little lost (2025)

As for when to apply, “SPF should be the last step in your skincare routine, in order to create a layer of sun protection over the skin,” explains Dr Ewoma. It's one of the most effective ways of preventing skin cancer, so don't skip out on always having one handy at home.

Products with helpful ingredients such as niacinamide (vitamin B3) are particularly helpful as they help promote healthy skin by reinforcing your natural protective barrier and offer protection against environmental factors such as pollution.

Extra Step For Brightening: Vitamin C – Morning Only

“Vitamin C should be inserted before moisturising and SPF,” says Dr Ewoma. Packed with antioxidants, it’s a good idea to have in your arsenal as it can fight inflammation, neutralise free radicals in pollution (which can accelerate ageing) and boost brightness. A good brightening vitamin C serum is especially useful for city dwellers.

Extra Step For Anti-Ageing: Retinol – Evening Only

“I highly recommend retinol (which should be used at night after cleansing),” says Dr Ewoma. It’s best introduced once you hit your late 20s and is “a gold standard ingredient that addresses a multitude of concerns in one go,” explains Dija. For instance, it can help to “rebuild collagen, fade hyperpigmentation, smooth the appearance of skin and balance oil.”

One thing to bear in mind is that retinoid creams and serums tend to be very potent, meaning you will be better off easing them into your skincare routine. However, the payoff is incredible, especially in terms of ridding yourself of blemishes and dark spots, boosting your skin's natural collagen production, promoting cell turnover and negating signs of ageing.

Skincare Routine FAQs:

What's the main difference between a daytime and a nighttime skincare routine?

“The difference between a daytime and nighttime skincare routine lies in their purposes, the products used, and the focus of each regimen,” Dr Jinah says. She suggests that your daytime routine should focus on prevention and hydration to keep skin resilient throughout the day and that your nighttime routine should focus on repairing and rejuvenating the skin while it regenerates overnight.

How should your winter skincare routine differ from your summer routine?

“Your winter skincare routine should focus [more] on hydration, barrier repair, and protection from harsh weather conditions,” Dr Jinah says.

She notes that it's important to wear SPF to help protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays. Yes, even in winter.

Is it important to use eye cream?

Dr Elizabeth's answer to this question is a resounding yes. “The eye is a very delicate area — arguably the most delicate on the body. The eyelid skin is one of the first places to show the signs of ageing as it is so fragile,” she explains.

Eye creams can also help brighten, lift and sculpt your eye area. To get the best results out of your eye cream, you must pay special attention to how you apply it. “Eye cream should go near your eyes, but not onto your top eyelid. Nor should it be used directly below your bottom lashes,” Dr Elizabeth says. “It should be applied along the orbital bone, or eye socket, and not on the lids. Work from the inner corners of the eyes outwards with gentle patting motions.”

Quick tips for total skincare beginners:

Tip 1: Less is more

“In my experience, the vast majority of women don’t want, nor have the time for a complicated routine. Those 10-step regimes cause so much confusion both for the user and for the skin. Eventually, it gets left by the wayside, so in all things skincare, simplicity is best,” says Dija. “The skin is very clever and balances itself as required so copious amounts of products is a waste of money and time.”