Starting a skincare routine can feel confusing. There are so many products, claims, and steps that it is easy to give up before you even begin. The good news is that healthy skin does not need a complicated routine. You can get real results with only a few well chosen products.

Think of your routine as a way to support three basic needs of your skin. It needs to be clean, it needs water, and it needs protection. Once you cover these needs, you can always add more advanced products later.

Step one is cleansing. Use a gentle cleanser at night to remove sunscreen, makeup, and pollution. In the morning you can simply rinse with water or use a very small amount of cleanser if your skin feels oily. After cleansing, your face should feel comfortable, not tight or dry.

Step two is hydration. A simple hydrating serum with ingredients such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid will help your skin hold on to water. Apply it on slightly damp skin so it can work more effectively. Follow with a moisturiser that matches your skin type. Lighter gels suit oily skin, while richer creams feel better on dry or mature skin.

Step three is protection. Every morning, finish with a broad spectrum sunscreen. This is the single most important product for long term skin health because it shields your skin from dark spots, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. Use it even on cloudy days and reapply when you spend time outdoors.

Once this basic routine feels natural, you can adjust it. Add an exfoliating treatment once or twice a week, introduce a calming mask, or use an eye cream if the area around your eyes feels dry. Listen to your skin and let results guide your next step.

A simple routine that you follow every day is always better than a complex plan you quit after a week. Consistency is the secret that turns small actions into visible change.