Routine Builder Checklists for Healthier Skin
🧼 Beginner Skincare Routine
A step-by-step guide to slowly build your skincare routine without overwhelming your skin.
- Week 1-2: Start with a gentle cleanser and a good moisturizer morning and evening as required.
- Week 3-4: If your skin is doing well, add a sunscreen every morning; at this point consider also introducing an oil cleanser/miscellar water to double cleanse at night if you wear extremely water-resistant SPF or makeup.
- Weeks 5–6: Introduce your first treatment — toner, serum, or gentle exfoliant (start 2–3 times a week).
- After 2 weeks: If skin is doing well, add another treatment/product
- Tip: If a product stings, burns, or worsens skin, stop and review.
- Tip: Only add one new product at a time, give it 2–3 weeks before evaluating.
- Tip: Always patch test new products before applying to full face.
- Tip: Don't change your routine too much, consistency is key to start seeing results.
🌞 Safe AM Routine Checklist
Tips for what to include (and avoid) in your morning routine to keep your skin healthy and protected.
- Cleansing is optional: especially if you have dry or sensitive skin. A splash of water may be enough.
- Moisturizer is optional: if your sunscreen is moisturizing, you can skip a separate one.
- Sunscreen is essential: use SPF 30+ every day, even indoors or when cloudy.
- Avoid products with strong actives in the morning: skip salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, azelaic acid, retinol, tretinoin, and other exfoliating or peeling ingredients.
- Vitamin C derivatives are safer than pure forms: Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate & Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate are good options for morning use.
- Don’t skip sunscreen if you use actives at night: it helps prevent irritation and pigmentation.
- Reapply sunscreen: every 2–4 hours if you're outside or sweating.
🌙 Safe PM Routine Checklist
Build an evening routine that supports repair and avoids over-exfoliation.
- Double cleanse if needed: if you wear heavy sunscreen or makeup, start with an oil or micellar cleanser.
- Use a gentle cleanser: especially if your skin feels dry or sensitive
- Be careful with exfoliating cleansers: if your face wash has acids like salicylic or glycolic acid, don't layer harsh active treatments after.
- Exfoliate only 2–3 nights per week: overdoing it can damage your skin barrier.
- Don't combine too many harsh ingredients: avoid layering multiple actives like retinol + acids.
- Moisturizer is essential: always finish with a soothing, hydrating moisturizer.
- Rest nights are good: give your skin time to recover by doing a basic routine only.