6 Ultimate Beauty Routines for 6 Skin Types That Will Change Your Skincare
Backed by Beauty Experts
When it comes to skincare, one size does not fit all. Your skin type plays a crucial role in determining what products you should use, how often to exfoliate, and even the best time to apply certain treatments. Whether your skin is dry, oily, sensitive, acne-prone, combination, or mature, we’re here to curate the right beauty routines for achieving a healthy, radiant complexion.
We asked skincare experts and dermatologists to break down personalized beauty routines for every skin type—so you can stop guessing and start glowing.
1. Dry Skin
What it feels like: Tight, rough, flaky skin that often feels uncomfortable after washing.
What it needs: Deep hydration, gentle cleansing, and barrier repair.
Morning Routine
- Cleanser: Choose a gentle, creamy, non-foaming cleanser that doesn’t strip natural oils. Look for moisturizing ingredients like glycerin or ceramides.
Recommended: - Toner: Use a hydrating toner that soothes and preps the skin for moisture, containing humectants like glycerin or panthenol.
Recommended: - Serum: Pick a hyaluronic acid serum to attract and hold water in the skin, boosting hydration instantly.
Recommended: - Moisturizer: Opt for a rich, emollient cream with ceramides and fatty acids to lock in moisture and repair the skin barrier.
Recommended: - Sunscreen: Use a hydrating sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF to protect while maintaining moisture balance.
Recommended:
Evening Routine
- Cleanser: Same as morning — gentle and hydrating.
- Exfoliant: Incorporate a mild chemical exfoliant like lactic acid 1–2 times per week to remove dry flakes without irritation.
Recommended: - Serum: Use squalane or ceramide-based oils/serums to deeply nourish and seal in moisture.
Recommended: - Moisturizer: Apply a thick cream or overnight mask to intensely hydrate during sleep.
Recommended: - Optional: Facial oils to lock in moisture, especially in colder months.
Expert Insight:
“The key for dry skin is layering moisture—start with a hydrating toner, then serums, and lock it all in with an emollient-rich cream.”
— Dr. Hadley King
2. Oily Skin
What it feels like: Shiny skin, especially in the T-zone, with enlarged pores and occasional breakouts.
What it needs: Oil control, lightweight hydration, and pore-clearing ingredients.
Morning Routine
- Cleanser: Look for a foaming or gel cleanser that removes excess oil without over-drying. Ingredients like salicylic acid help unclog pores.
Recommended: - Toner: Choose an oil-balancing toner with niacinamide or zinc to reduce shine and minimize pores.
Recommended: - Serum: Use a lightweight, oil-free niacinamide serum to regulate sebum production and calm inflammation.
Recommended: - Moisturizer: Pick a water-based, gel moisturizer that hydrates without heaviness or greasiness.
Recommended: - Sunscreen: Select a mattifying or mineral sunscreen that controls oil and won’t clog pores.
Recommended:
Evening Routine
- Cleanser: Double cleanse if you wear makeup—start with a balm/oil cleanser followed by your gel cleanser to remove impurities fully.
- Treatment: Incorporate a chemical exfoliant with BHA (salicylic acid) 2–3 times weekly to keep pores clear.
Recommended: - Moisturizer: Use a lightweight, oil-controlling moisturizer with soothing extracts like green tea.
Recommended: - Spot Treatment: Target active breakouts with benzoyl peroxide or sulfur treatments.
Recommended:
Expert Insight:
“Don’t skip moisturizer if you have oily skin. Instead, opt for gel-based formulas that hydrate without clogging pores.”
— Dr. Whitney Bowe
3. Combination Skin
What it feels like: Oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) with normal or dry cheeks.
What it needs: Balanced care that hydrates dry areas and controls oil where needed.
Morning Routine
- Cleanser: Choose a gentle gel or cream cleanser that cleanses without stripping.
Recommended: - Toner: Use a balancing toner that hydrates and controls oil. Avoid harsh astringents.
Recommended: - Serum: Pick a niacinamide serum to reduce oiliness and improve texture.
Recommended: - Moisturizer: Opt for a light gel-cream moisturizer—hydrating but not heavy.
Recommended: - Sunscreen: Use a lightweight, natural-finish sunscreen that won’t clog pores.
Recommended:
Evening Routine
- Cleanser: Same as morning or a cream cleanser for dry areas.
- Mask: Multi-mask strategy—clay mask on oily T-zone and hydrating mask on dry cheeks.
Recommended: - Serum: Hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid to replenish moisture.
Recommended: - Moisturizer: Lightweight gel-cream to balance hydration without heaviness.
- Spot Treatment: Use as needed on oily breakout-prone areas.
Expert Insight:
“Combination skin benefits from multi-masking—use clay on oily areas and hydrating masks on dry zones.”
— Renée Rouleau
4. Sensitive Skin
What it feels like: Easily irritated, redness, itching, stinging.
What it needs: Gentle, fragrance-free, soothing products.
Morning Routine
- Cleanser: Use a very gentle, creamy or lotion cleanser free of fragrance and harsh surfactants.
Recommended: - Toner: Optional—only if it’s alcohol-free and calming, like mineral water sprays.
Recommended: - Serum: Choose a soothing serum with ingredients like centella asiatica or panthenol.
Recommended: - Moisturizer: Use a rich, fragrance-free cream to rebuild the skin barrier.
Recommended:- Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
- Avene Tolerance Control Cream
- Sunscreen: Use a mineral (physical) sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for sensitive skin.
Recommended:
Evening Routine
- Cleanser: Same as morning—avoid foaming or stripping cleansers.
- Treatment: Calming balms or ointments to repair and soothe.
Recommended:- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 (1–2 times weekly)
- Serum: Use gentle actives like panthenol or madecassoside.
- Moisturizer: Rich, emollient creams that do not clog pores.
- Optional: Use a humidifier to boost nighttime hydration.
Expert Insight:
“Avoid fragrance and essential oils, and patch test everything. Sensitive skin thrives on simplicity.”
— Dr. Alexis Stephens
5. Acne-Prone Skin
What it feels like: Frequent breakouts, redness, uneven texture.
What it needs: Regular exfoliation, antibacterial treatment, and lightweight hydration.
Morning Routine
- Cleanser: Use a gentle foaming cleanser with acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Recommended: - Toner: Optional AHA/BHA toner if your skin tolerates it.
- Serum: Pick anti-inflammatory and oil-regulating serums like azelaic acid or niacinamide.
Recommended: - Moisturizer: Use an oil-free, calming moisturizer to prevent dryness.
Recommended: - Sunscreen: Choose an oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen formulated for acne-prone skin.
Recommended:
Evening Routine
- Cleanser: Same as morning or use micellar water followed by gentle rinse.
- Treatment: Use a retinoid (adapalene) or sulfur spot treatment to speed cell turnover and clear acne.
Recommended: - Moisturizer: Lightweight, non-comedogenic hydration to prevent irritation.
Recommended: - Mask: Weekly clay or charcoal masks to deep-clean pores.
Recommended:
Expert Insight:
“Acne-prone skin needs consistent, non-irritating exfoliation and targeted spot treatments—don’t try to dry everything out.”
— Dr. Shereene Idriss
6. Mature Skin
What it feels like: Thinning skin, fine lines, loss of firmness, and sometimes dryness or uneven texture.
What it needs: Nourishing hydration, anti-aging ingredients, barrier support, and antioxidant protection.
Morning Routine
- Cleanser: Choose a gentle, creamy cleanser that removes impurities without stripping moisture or disrupting the skin barrier. Avoid harsh foaming cleansers.
Recommended: - Toner: Use a hydrating and soothing toner with antioxidants or peptides to prep and protect the skin.
Recommended: - Serum: Look for a vitamin C serum with stable formulations to brighten, even tone, and provide antioxidant protection.
Recommended: - Moisturizer: Pick a rich moisturizer with peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and support collagen.
Recommended: - Sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with added antioxidants and moisturizing properties.
Recommended:
Evening Routine
- Cleanser: Same as morning—gentle and hydrating.
- Exfoliant: Use a chemical exfoliant with AHAs (like glycolic or lactic acid) 1–2 times per week to smooth texture and stimulate cell turnover.
Recommended: - Serum: Incorporate a retinol or peptide serum to boost collagen production and reduce fine lines.
Recommended: - Moisturizer: Use a rich, nourishing cream to replenish moisture and support barrier repair overnight.
Recommended: - Optional: Facial oils rich in antioxidants and fatty acids to restore glow and softness.
Recommended:
Expert Insight:
“Mature skin benefits from layering hydrating and collagen-supporting ingredients like peptides, antioxidants, and gentle retinoids while maintaining a strong moisture barrier.”
— Dr. Ava Shamban, Board-Certified Dermatologist
Every skin type deserves a tailored routine with the right ingredients and products. Whether you’re managing dryness, excess oil, sensitivity, acne, or the signs of aging, understanding what to look for in each product helps you create a beauty routine that truly supports your skin’s health and radiance. Amongst all the skincare regimes for our beauty routines that help us achieve clear skin, don’t forget the essential methods to take care of your overall health. Getting enough sleep, drinking water, active exercise are also essential in keeping your skin on track. Use this guide to customize your daily beauty routine with confidence, and watch your skin thrive.
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