A Guide to a Proper Skincare Routine for Clean, Healthy Skin

Protect Your Outer Layer - It's There to Serve You the Rest of Your Life

Taking care of your skin isn't just about looking good—it's about maintaining the health of your skin barrier, preventing premature aging, and protecting yourself from environmental damage. This expert-backed listicle outlines the ideal daily skincare routine, the types of products to use, and the order of application to help you achieve radiant, clear skin.

Here are the Necessary Steps for Maintaining Esthetician-Approved Skin:

🌿 1. Start with a Gentle Cleanser (AM & PM)

Purpose: Removes dirt, excess oil, and environmental pollutants.

Choose a non-stripping, pH-balanced cleanser. For oily or acne-prone skin, gel cleansers with salicylic acid work well. For dry or sensitive skin, try a cream or oil-based cleanser.

🔬 Cited: According to the American Academy of Dermatology, cleansing twice a day helps maintain skin clarity and prevent breakouts. [AAD.org]

💧 2. Use a Toner to Rebalance and Prep Skin

Purpose: Rehydrates skin post-cleansing and enhances absorption of serums. This is a very important step for those who want to see the full result of the next step.

Go for alcohol-free toners with ingredients like rose water, witch hazel, or hyaluronic acid, depending on your skin type.

⚡ 3. Apply a Targeted Serum

Purpose: Delivers active ingredients deep into the skin. Use various serums to target your different needs. Many serums even come as a blend to treat more than one condition.

Morning: Use Vitamin C serum for brightening and antioxidant protection.
Evening: Use retinol, niacinamide, or peptides depending on your needs to treat an reverse signs of aging.

📚 Referral: Vitamin C serums reduce oxidative stress and improve skin tone over time [PubMed Study].

🧴 4. Moisturize to Lock in Hydration

Purpose: Seals in all previous layers and supports the skin barrier. However, many believe they shouldn't use a moisturizer if they have oily skin. This is FALSE! No matter how oily your skin, using the right moisturizer is the most important step in protecting your skin.

-For Oily Skin: gel-based moisturizer.

-For Dry Skin: choose a cream or balm rich in ceramides and glycerin.

💡 Tip: “Layering a humectant like hyaluronic acid under your moisturizer boosts hydration levels significantly.”

☀️ 5. Sunscreen Is Non-Negotiable (AM)

Purpose: Protects against UV rays that cause aging and skin cancer. Not using SPF can lead to rough, patchy and discolored skin as UV rays can do irreversible damage.

Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30+, either mineral (zinc oxide) or chemical depending on your preference.

🧪 Cited: Consistent sunscreen use significantly reduces skin aging markers [JAMA Dermatology].

🌙 6. Evening Treatments (PM): Enhancements

Purpose: Repair and renew skin overnight.

This is when you can use:

  • Retinol or Bakuchiol (gentler plant-based alternative)
  • Chemical exfoliants (like AHAs/BHAs, 2–3x/week)
  • Anti-Aging Oils like Rose Gold Oils
  • Hydrating masks or overnight treatments

Esthetician Insights Recommendations:

How Can You Boost Your Skincare Results?

🧖‍♀️ Extra Tips from Our Estheticians:

  • Weekly Exfoliation: Clears dead skin cells and allows better product absorption. Try using an exfoliant cleanser that has rounded beads, or natural exfoliants like ground oats, or Jojoba beads to avoid scratching and damaging your skin. REMEMBER: Be Gentle.
  • Lymphatic Massage Tools: Use an electric Gua Sha or jade scraper/roller 3x/week to reduce puffiness and improve circulation. Read our review on our most recommended Gua Sha with Red light therapy to boost collagen production and give an amazing skin lift here:

---> 5 BEST ELECTRIC GUA SHA TOOLS

  • Double Cleansing (PM): Start with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup, followed by a water-based cleanser. Oil-based cleansers do an amazing job of breaking up thick makeup, but leave your skin feeling oily and clogged. Using a water-based cleanser afterwards will leave your skin feeling very clean without drying it out.

About the Author

Sabrina Vale

Senior Esthetician & Editorial Contributor
Known for her warm demeanor and no-nonsense skincare wisdom, Sabrina brings over 15 years of experience in spa therapy and skin rejuvenation. Her specialties include anti-aging, LED therapies, and core ingredients.
Sabrina’s articles blend compassion with clarity, making even the most complex skin topics easy to understand.