The Best Skincare Routine for Anyone – Science Based Proven Skincare

A skincare routine does not have to have 12 steps, nor should it take hours and break the bank. Skincare should be affordable and helpful, not expensive and useless. This article will help create an effective skincare routine, backed by science.

Learn why a skincare routine is needed for anyone, what the essential steps are in your skincare routine, and what the evidence says about certain products.

A Skincare Routine that is Basic yet Effective

Let’s jump right in.

In the morning, use a moisturizer and sunscreen (there’s even a way to combine the two), and in the evening use a cleanser (maybe), and a retinoid.

It’s important to know why you should have a skincare routine in the first place and how these specific products have the evidence to back them up. This will make you more likely to view skincare as a choice, not a chore.

Why Have a Skincare Routine?

Two reasons: health and aesthetics.

We want to have healthy skin that looks good, all of us do. Plus, we want our actions of today to pay off in the future. The you of 10 years from now will be thankful you used sunscreen or moisturized well in the present.

Evidence-based proven skincare that is less effort yet highly effective gives you maximum effort with little effort.

A Basic Science Based Skin Care Routine

To get all the results you want, follow these steps daily.

1. Moisturizing Twice a Day

Why: the skin’s main job is to lock in moisture and to protect, acting as a barrier against pathogens, bacteria, and viruses that may harm us.

When the skin does not have proper moisture, it may become cracked and the barrier is compromised. Moisturize helps fill in the gaps and support the skin, as skin cells are connected with healthy fats and proteins.

Moisturizers, especially those with ceramides, replenish the gaps between the skin cells. This is vital after something like a hot shower, as hot water strips the skin of natural moisture.

Eucerin, CeraVa, and La Roche Posay are great options since these companies regularly conduct research and ensure quality control on their products.

2. Use Sunscreen Daily

Why: when the sun’s UVA and UVB rays make contact with the skin, it mutates the DNA in skin cells. This also breaks down protein and collagen in the skin. The more exposure, the more wrinkles and dark spots from UV ray mutations. 

This is called photoaging or dermatoheliosis.

Unrepaired DNA mutations can lead to skin cancer. Sunscreen offers an extra layer of protection, preventing all the conditions above.

Find a broad-spectrum sunscreen as both UVA and UVB damage the skin and a broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect from both. Some are physical and some are chemical, but the most important thing to look at is SPF, a measurement of how long the sunscreen prevents burning. Spf is calculated from a thick layer of sunscreen though, something we don’t do. Try to go above 30 and reapply since we sweat and smudge our sunscreen off throughout the day.

The best SPF is one you will wear, so there’s no point in buying SPF 100 if you’re not going to wear it.

3. Use a Retinoid 

Why: it was a vitamin A treatment for acne, but research has since found that the active ingredient, retinol, has a lot of anti-aging effects.

Research has shown it reduces dark spots, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and acne breakouts, all proven with clinical trial data. This is not just important for pretty skin, or aging gracefully, this is important for supporting collagen, increasing collagen and elasticity fibers, improving cell turnover, and reducing dark spots.

Retinoids take a while to take effect and may make some people’s skin peel, so many individuals quit before seeing benefits. They come in different types, like retinols which are weaker, or retinoids which are stronger (like tretinoin).

Differin gel, a newer retinol called adapolin, offers less irritation and is over-the-counter. Use a pea-sized amount every other night, lowering it or upping it as needed.

4. Use a Cleanser

Why: water can remove dirt and debris but a cleanser can help remove any oil or harsher ingredient on the skin.

Heavy makeup, visible dirt, sweat, and waterproof products, all make it necessary to use a cleanser, but some people can just use water, especially in the morning.

Use a hydrating cleanser, that will actually leave you hydrated after using it. A big mistake with cleansers is thinking ingredients don’t matter because you wash them off. Cleansers can have great ingredients like hyaluronic acid (keeps skin hydrated) and ceramides (fats to replace the skin’s natural oils) 

For me, I wash my face with water in the morning and use a gentle cleanser at night. This helps reduce breakouts while keeping my skin moisturized without drying. Try out different cleansers, consistencies, and ways to find your perfect cleansing routine.

The Takeaway

Health, fitness, and wellness are about actions you take today that will support you in the future.  Skincare is not an option, but it should never feel like an obligation or a chore. You can make it as simple as possible while being very effective. If you want, experiment with new products and fun masks, scrubs, and active ingredients to not get bored. Have fun with the skin, and focus on the progress, not perfection!