Are you searching for a simple skincare routine that helps your skin look fresh and hydrated? A simple three-step routine covers all the basics, such as cleansing, moisturizing, and applying SPF, and can keep your skin in tip-top condition.
A three-step routine is a stripped-down version of other longer, more complicated skincare rituals—like a 10-step Korean beauty routine. While a basic routine may not be suitable for spot treatment, treating fine lines and wrinkles, or dealing with other complex skincare issues, it’s perfect for men and women who prefer simplicity and ensuring their skin stays healthy.
Ready to get brighter, smoother skin? In this article, we’ll explore the essential three steps for a daily skincare routine, how to understand your skin types, and which products may work best for you.
How to Build an Effective Skincare Routine
Your skin is unique, and you must find high-quality products for your concerns. Here’s what you should keep in mind when shopping for new skincare products.
Know Your Skin Type
Understanding your skin type and concerns allows you to optimize your skincare rituals. There are five main skin types:
- Oily or acne-prone skin: If you have bumps, blemishes, and excess oil, you likely have oily or acne-prone skin. This skin type requires products that help curb oil production while treating other potential issues like clogged pores, redness, and breakouts. Folks with oily skin should opt for a gentle, exfoliating face wash and pair it with a face moisturizer with lightweight hydrating agents.
- Sensitive: Taking care of sensitive skin is easier said than done. You might be dealing with issues like redness, inflammation, dryness, rough patches, bumps, and more. Those with sensitive skin should opt for vegan self-care products as they remove harmful ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, which are known to irritate the skin. Folks with sensitive skin should use gentle, nourishing formulas with plant-based ingredients.
- Dry: Do you regularly have to treat dry patches or rough areas of skin caused by dryness? If so, you have skin. Whether your dry skin is caused by the weather, genetics, hormones, or other factors, you’ll want to use skincare products with rich, moisturizing formulas. Opt for vegan, plant-based formulas that care for the skin.
- Combination: If your skin seems to swing from dry to normal to slightly oily, you likely have combination skin. With combination skin, it’s essential to have multiple products on deck to treat different concerns. For example, when your skin is dry, you’ll need moisturizing cleansers and moisturizers, but if you’re having an “oily week,” you should switch to lightweight, gently exfoliating products to help manage excess oil.
- Normal: Folks with normal skin can use most skincare products without experiencing any side effects or causing breakouts. That said, avoiding harsh chemicals and using vegan skincare products is still smart.
Look for Effective Ingredients
The secret to an effective skincare routine (other than choosing products that suit your skin type) is finding skin-loving formulas that give you more radiant, smooth skin. Use nourishing products with plant-based ingredients. An easy way to spot them is to look for products labeled vegan.
Here are some of the best ingredients for skin:
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
- Aloe vera
- Cocoa butter
- Coconut oil
- Jojoba oil
- Mango seed butter
- Moringa oil
- Neem oil
- Rose water
- Seaweed
- Shea butter
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Many popular skincare products are formulated with “filler” ingredients. While they typically make self-care products more cost-effective, they’re also bad for the skin. These harsh chemicals can cause problems (especially for those with dry or sensitive skin) that may result in redness, inflammation, flakes, rough patches, dryness, and other types of irritation.
Avoid skincare products with parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial fragrances and dyes.
A Simple 3-Step Skincare Routine
You should follow a basic skincare routine at least once daily. It doesn’t matter if it's in the morning or evening, that’s up to you. Here’s the best simple 3-step skincare routine for healthy skin.
Step 1: Cleansing
Start your skincare routine with a face wash or cleanser that removes excess oil, dirt, grime, and sweat from your skin. Use a face wash formulated for your skin type.
Squeeze a pea-sized amount of product into your hand, wet your hand, and gently massage the product onto your face. Use small circular motions to rub the cleanser into your skin. When the skin feels clean, rinse it with lukewarm or cool water. Pat the skin dry before applying moisturizer (other other products).
Step 2: Moisturizing
Next, you’ll seal in moisture close to the skin and ensure it feels hydrated and soft. Use a moisturizing formula that offers optimal hydration without making the skin feel greasy or oily.
Dab a chickpea-sized amount of face moisturizer onto your face and gently massage it into the skin. Use small circular motions to rub it in, but don’t pull or push the skin. Allow it to dry before applying sunscreen.
Step 3: Sunscreen
You should always apply sunscreen before leaving the house in the morning. Sunscreen is an essential part of a skincare routine, but if you’re following a bedtime ritual, you can skip the SPF. Get a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF 30 or higher to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays.
Squeeze a generous amount of sunscreen in your hand and spread it evenly over your face, neck, and ears. Gently massage it into the skin without pushing or pulling the skin. Ensure it’s absorbed into the skin and there are no white streaks.
Effective Products for Any Skincare Routine
Look for vegan, cruelty-free products when shopping for new skincare products for a basic skincare regimen. They’re better for your skin and the environment because they eliminate harmful chemicals and don’t contain animal-derived ingredients.
For the basic 3-step skincare system, use products like Blu Atlas Face Cleanser and Face Moisturizer and follow up with your favorite sunscreen.
If you’re looking for an easy, no-fuss method to instantly build your 3-step skincare routine, grab the Basic Bundle. It includes steps one and two for your basic routine, saving time and money.
Those seeking a more involved skincare set should snag the Advanced Skincare Kit. The bundle includes essentials like face wash and moisturizer and contains more skin-loving products like Blu Atlas’s Face Mask, Eye Stick, Exfoliating Scrub, and Vitamin C Serum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three most important skincare products?
When building any skincare routine, always start with the three most important products—a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
