Skincare Routine Guide: From 17 Products to 6 Simple Steps
The Bathroom Counter That Broke Me
I stood in my bathroom at 2 AM, unable to sleep, staring at the chaos spread across my counter. Seventeen different skincare products. Face washes, toners, serums, essences, ampoules, moisturisers, night creams, eye creams, sheet masks, sleeping masks, I had everything.
My skin looked terrible.
Dull, constantly breaking out, showing new dark spots weekly. I'd spent over $600 in the past three months alone, trying products influencers raved about, chasing the promise of glowing skin that always felt just out of reach.
That night, I sat on my bathroom floor and cried not just about my skin, but about the exhausting confusion of it all. I'd apply products in random orders, skip steps when I was tired, and try new things after a week when results didn't appear instantly. I was spending money, investing time, and getting absolutely nowhere.
The next morning, I booked an appointment with a dermatologist, bringing photos of all my products. She looked at them, then at me, and asked a simple question: "Do you know why you're using these, and in what order?"
I didn't. I'd been buying solutions without understanding the problem.
The Framework That Changed Everything
After examining my skin, my dermatologist did something radical. She told me to eliminate almost everything and start with a simple framework: cleanse, exfoliate, tone, moisturise, protect, repair.
Six steps. That's all.
She explained why each step matters, how to do it correctly, and that order is crucial; you want to apply products from the thinnest to the thickest consistency so they can actually penetrate.
This seemingly obvious concept blew my mind. I'd been spraying toner after applying heavy moisturiser (which does nothing since it can't penetrate). I'd been skipping sunscreen. I'd been exfoliating almost daily, wondering why my skin felt angry and raw. I'd been over-cleansing, stripping away natural oils, then wondering why my skin was both oily and dry simultaneously.
For someone with seventeen products, I was doing almost everything wrong.
Step One: Cleansing The Foundation I'd Been Rushing
Proper cleansing takes 30-40 seconds with gentle circular motions on damp skin. Not the rushed 10-second scrub I'd been doing.
I used to grab whatever face wash was on sale, scrub aggressively, rinse, and move on. My dermatologist explained that harsh cleansing strips your skin's protective barrier, causing it to overproduce oil to compensate. That explained my combination skin oily T-zone, dry cheeks that no product seemed to balance.
I switched to gentler cleansing, taking time to massage properly, using lukewarm water instead of hot. I also discovered natural cleansers that work beautifully.
Raw milk: Removes dirt gently while providing an instant glow. I massage it into dry skin for a minute, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Honey: Antibacterial and moisturising. I mix it with a few drops of water, massage gently, leave for a minute, then rinse.
Aloe vera gel: Soothing and refreshing, perfect for morning cleansing when skin isn't very dirty.
I alternate between my gentle commercial cleanser and these natural options. My skin has never felt more balanced.
Step Two: Exfoliation The Balance I'd Destroyed
Here's where I'd been sabotaging myself most dramatically. I was exfoliating 5-6 times weekly, sometimes daily, thinking more meant better results.
My dermatologist explained that skin naturally sheds dead cells. Excessive exfoliation damages the protective barrier, creating sensitivity, inflammation, and ironically, more problems than it solves.
The right approach: exfoliated 2-3 times weekly maximum. That sweet spot removes enough dead skin to reveal freshness without over-damaging your barrier.
I started using gentle natural scrubs on designated days only.
Coffee and yoghurt: Coffee grounds provide gentle physical exfoliation while caffeine brightens. Yoghurt adds lactic acid for chemical exfoliation plus probiotics for healing.
Rice flour and honey: Rice flour is incredibly gentle, perfect for sensitive skin. Honey moisturises while antibacterial properties fight breakouts.
Ground oats and milk: The gentlest option, ideal for reactive skin.
The transformation was dramatic. My skin became smoother, pores looked clearer, and breakouts reduced significantly. Most importantly, the chronic inflammation and sensitivity disappeared.
I also learned gentleness. No aggressive scrubbing. Light circular motions, letting the exfoliant do the work.
Step Three: Toning The Game Changer I'd Been Misusing
Toner restores your skin's natural pH level after cleansing. I'd been applying it after moisturiser, meaning it couldn't penetrate and do its job.
Once I applied toner correctly right after cleansing, before any heavier products, everything changed. My skin felt more balanced and refreshed. Pores appeared smaller. The oiliness in my T-zone reduced noticeably.
I experimented with natural toners:
Rose water: Hydrating, soothing, and smells divine. I keep it in a spray bottle for refreshing application throughout the day.
Green tea water: I brew strong green tea, let it cool, and use it as toner. Antioxidants fight ageing while natural compounds combat acne.
Rice water: After rinsing rice, I save the milky water. It brightens skin beautifully with consistent use.
Cucumber water: I blend a cucumber, strain it, and use the liquid. Incredibly cooling and refreshing for summer.
The simple act of applying toner at the right time, in the right order, made such a dramatic difference that I couldn't believe I'd been doing it wrong for years.
Step Four: Moisturising The Non-Negotiable I'd Been Skipping
My biggest misconception: thinking my oily skin didn't need moisturiser.
My dermatologist was emphatic: everyone needs moisturiser. Even oily skin. Especially oily skin.
The key is using appropriate consistency. For oily skin, lightweight options like aloe vera gel or hyaluronic acid serums work better than heavy creams. For dry skin, richer options like coconut oil, shea butter, or vitamin E oil provide necessary nourishment.
I started moisturising religiously every single morning and evening. Using just pea-sized amounts. Apply to damp skin for better absorption. Waiting for it to set before applying anything else.
The transformation was visible within a week. My skin stopped overproducing oil because it was finally getting adequate hydration. Breakouts reduced. Overall texture improved dramatically.
I also learned about layering: applying moisturiser right after toner, while skin is still slightly damp, maximises absorption and benefits.
Step Five: Sun Protection The Life Changing Step I'd Ignored
This is where I'm genuinely embarrassed about my past self. I wore sunscreen maybe once weekly, thinking that avoiding midday sun was sufficient protection.
My dermatologist showed me photos of sun damage under special lights. My skin looked like a constellation of dark spots I couldn't yet see but were forming beneath the surface. She explained that UV damage is cumulative; every unprotected minute adds up.
I committed to daily SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapplying every 3-4 hours when outdoors. Within three months, I noticed differences. New age spots didn't appear. Existing pigmentation seemed slightly lighter. Wrinkle progression slowed noticeably.
For mostly indoor days, I use lightweight SPF moisturisers. For outdoor activities, a serious waterproof sunscreen. No exceptions, no excuses.
Step Six: Night Care The Repair Phase That Transformed Everything
Nighttime is when skin repairs and regenerates. I used to just wash my face and sleep. Now I have an intentional night routine that my skin craves.
After cleansing, I apply toner or rose water. Then lightweight moisturiser or serum (I rotate between vitamin C, gentle retinol alternatives, and natural oils). Finally, I massage with almond oil or rosehip oil for extra nourishment.
This nighttime ritual has literally transformed my skin. I wake up looking fresher, more radiant, and fine lines are less pronounced. My complexion looks brighter and more even.
My Current Simple Routine
Compared to my seventeen-product chaos, my routine now looks refreshingly simple:
Morning: Cleanse (30-40 seconds), tone, moisturise, sunscreen
Evening: Cleanse, exfoliate (2-3x weekly only), tone, moisturise, facial oil massage
Weekly: Face mask 1-2 times for targeted treatment
That's it. Five to ten minutes morning and evening. No complexity. Just consistency.
When Actually Changed
My skin now is unrecognisable compared to before. Clear, radiant, balanced. Breakouts are rare. Complexion is even. People regularly on my glow.
But more important than physical transformation: my relationship with skincare changed. It went from being a source of stress and confusion to being self-care, which I genuinely enjoy.
I'm not frantically trying new products weekly. I'm not confused about what to do. I'm not wasting money on things I don't need.
I'm just showing up consistently with the right steps, in the right order, with appropriate products.
Your Starting Point
If you're where I was confused, frustrated, with a bathroom counter full of products that aren't delivering start here:
Pick one good cleanser. Learn the 30-40 second technique. Commit to it for one week. That's your foundation.
Then add one step at a time. Master cleansing. Add toning. Then moisturising. Then protection. Build slowly, intentionally.
You don't need expensive products or trendy brands. You need the right steps, done consistently, in the correct order.
Glowing skin is simple. Not easy, but simple. Once you understand the framework, you can build a routine that actually works for your unique skin.
It took me years and hundreds of dollars to figure this out. But now that I understand, I wonder why this wasn't taught clearly from the beginning.
Because this isn't complicated. It's just skincare. And skincare, done right, is one of the simplest acts of self-love you can commit to.
0 Comments