Skincare Basics: A Simple AM & PM Routine from a Skin Specialist

24 Jul

Your beginner-friendly guide to getting your glow on.

If you’re new to skincare or just looking to clean up your routine, you’re in the right place. As a skin specialist, I know how confusing all the products, steps, and buzzwords can get. So let’s break it down into something simple, effective, and manageable, without overcomplicating things.

Morning = Protect, Protect, Protect

Your skin’s main job during the day? Defend. It’s constantly battling UV rays, pollution, blue light, and environmental stress. Your job is to help it stay strong and supported.

Here’s your go-to morning skincare routine:

1. Water Rinse (Yes, That’s Enough for Most Skin Types)

You don’t need to reach for a cleanser first thing, even if you have oily skin.

If you’ve followed a good PM routine the night before, your skin is already clean. A simple rinse with lukewarm water in the morning is usually enough to refresh your skin and prepare it for your daytime products.

Over-cleansing can actually do more harm than good. It can strip your skin of its natural oils, which may cause your skin to overproduce oil to compensate, leading to even more shine or potential irritation.

If you wake up feeling a little oily but you’re not breaking out, that’s a sign your oil production is balanced and your skin is doing what it’s meant to do.

Only use a gentle cleanser in the morning if your skin feels particularly greasy, sticky, or congested when you wake up.

2. Antioxidant Serum

This is your skin’s daily shield. A good serum packed with antioxidants, like vitamin C, niacinamide, or green tea extract helps protect against free radical damage from pollution, UV, and stress.

Vitamin C is especially popular, but naturally unstable as a molecule. A high-quality formula matters here. A well-formulated Vitamin C serum can brighten your skin, even out skin tone, and offer essential protection. It’s worth investing in.

3. Moisturiser (Tailored to Your Skin Type)

Moisturising in the morning helps keep your skin barrier healthy and balanced. But not all moisturisers are created equal.

Quick guide:

• Oily or acne-prone – Go for a light gel or oil-free lotion

• Dry skin – A richer cream or balm to seal in hydration

• Combination skin – Try a gel-cream or layer a lightweight moisturiser where needed

• Sensitive skin – Use calming, fragrance-free formulas with ingredients like oat, ceramides, or aloe

4. SPF (Every. Single. Day.)

The most important step in your morning routine, don’t skip this one. UV rays are the #1 cause of premature aging, pigmentation, and skin damage.

Use a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ or higher, and apply it generously every morning, even when it’s cloudy or you’re indoors near windows.

Did you know? You can actually get sun damage from UV rays emitted by screens like your phone, tablet, and laptop, especially when combined with exposure to daylight. It’s just one more reason to wear SPF daily.

Evening = Cleanse, Correct, Repair

At night, your skin switches into repair mode. This is when you remove the day’s grime and give your skin the tools it needs to recover and regenerate.

Evening Skincare Routine:

1. Oil Cleanse (Yes, Even for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin)

Oil attracts oil, so an oil cleanser is brilliant for breaking down sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum without stripping your skin.

Think of it like sweeping your floor before you mop. You’re removing the top layer of debris so your second cleanser can do its job better.

Worried about breakouts? Not all oils clog pores. Look for acne-friendly oils like jojoba, grapeseed, squalane, or hemp seed oil.

2. Second Cleanse (Cream, Gel, or Foam)

This is your “mop.” It removes leftover residue and gives your skin a truly clean slate.

Pick a cleanser based on your skin type:

• Cream cleanser – Great for dry, sensitive, or mature skin

• Gel cleanser – Good for combination or normal skin

• Foaming cleanser – Effective for oily or acne-prone skin, but can be too drying for some

3. Exfoliate (2–3x Per Week)

Exfoliation helps smooth texture, unclog pores, and brighten your skin. But more isn’t better, this step should not be daily.

Choose your exfoliant wisely:

• AHA (like glycolic or lactic acid) – Brightens and smooths dry or dull skin

• BHA (salicylic acid) – Deep-cleansing for oily, acne-prone skin

• PHA – A gentler option for sensitive skin, dry, mature skin

Start slow, and increase only if your skin tolerates it well.

4. Serum or Treatment

Now’s the time to apply treatments targeted to your skin concerns:

• Pigmentation or dark spots? Try niacinamide, azelaic acid, or tranexamic acid

• Fine lines or texture? A retinoid (vitamin A derivative) works wonders, just introduce it gradually

• Dehydrated or tired skin? Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or peptides

5. Moisturiser

Seal in all the goodness with a moisturiser suited to your skin type. It helps repair your barrier and lock in hydration overnight.

6. Eye Cream (Optional)

If you struggle with puffiness, dark circles, or fine lines, an eye cream can give targeted care to that delicate area. Otherwise, your regular moisturiser is usually fine here too.

A good skincare routine doesn’t have to be 10 steps or filled with trendy products. It’s about consistency, using the right products for your skin, and giving it 12 weeks to work.

Let’s summarise:

AM - Protect

Water
Anti-Oxidant Serum
Moisturiser
SPF

PM - Correct

Oil Cleanse
2nd Cleanse
Exfoliant
Serum/Treatment
Moisturiser
Eye Cream (optional)

Start simple. Adjust as you go. And always listen to your skin.

Got questions or need help finding products that work for you? That’s what I’m here for - book a Skin Strategy Session so we can create a skincare plan that works for you.

Ella Berry