A basic skincare routine comes down to three steps — cleanse, moisturize and protect with sunscreen — according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). This guide lays out the correct order to apply products, how dermatologists define five skin types, and what to look for in cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreen for each one.
Most dermatology guidance converges on the same starting point: skincare does not need to be complicated to work. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) describes cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection as the three steps that form the foundation of a healthy routine, and warns that piling on extra products can irritate skin rather than improve it.
The Three Core Steps
According to the AAD, a cleanser should be gentle and non-abrasive, applied with the fingertips and rinsed off with lukewarm water in the morning, at night, and after heavy sweating. Moisturizer comes next, chosen to suit the individual's skin type. Sun protection is described by the AAD as the final step of every morning routine, in every season, regardless of skin type or weather.
The Correct Order to Apply Products
Beyond the basic three steps, the AAD recommends a specific sequence when additional products are used: cleanse first, then apply any treatment or medication, then moisturizer and/or sunscreen, and finally makeup if it is worn. The AAD also advises using the ring finger to apply products around the eyes, since it exerts the least pressure on that delicate skin.
The Cleveland Clinic lays out a similar order for a fuller routine: cleanser, serum, moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning; cleanser, a retinoid product, and moisturizer at night. The guiding principle, per the Cleveland Clinic, is to apply products from the thinnest, most water-based formula to the thickest, so lighter products can penetrate before heavier ones seal them in.
Morning
Cleanse with a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser
Apply a treatment or serum, if used
Moisturize
Apply sunscreen as the final step
Night
Cleanse again to remove the day's buildup
Apply a treatment such as a retinoid, if used
Moisturize to seal in hydration
The Cleveland Clinic notes that retinoids are generally used at night rather than in the morning, since sunlight can deactivate them. It also advises against combining a cleanser with a separate exfoliant in the same step, and against layering more than one serum at a time.
The more products you use, the better the chances you're going to have side effects from them.
— Dr. McGregor, quoted by Cleveland Clinic
Matching Products to Your Skin Type
The Cleveland Clinic describes five skin types, each associated with different product choices.
Skin types and recommended product features
Skin type
Main characteristic
Recommended products
Dry
Insufficient sebum production; skin looks dull and feels tight or scaly
Gentle cleansers and moisturizers containing humectants that draw in moisture
Oily
Overproduction of sebum, enlarged pores, possible blackheads or pimples
Cleansers with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid; noncomedogenic products
Combination
Oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) with drier cheeks, or the reverse
Routines that vary by person, often with lower-concentration active ingredients
Normal
Neither dry nor oily, without acne or sensitivity
A basic routine: daily cleansing, twice-daily moisturizing, daily sunscreen
Sensitive
Often linked to underlying conditions such as eczema or rosacea
Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products, avoiding dyes and harsh ingredients
Sunscreen: The Step Most Often Skipped
The AAD recommends a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, and that is water resistant, while noting no sunscreen is fully waterproof or sweatproof. For full-body coverage, the AAD suggests about one ounce of sunscreen — roughly enough to fill a shot glass — with at least one teaspoon for the face alone.
The AAD advises applying sunscreen to dry skin about 15 minutes before going outdoors, and reapplying it approximately every two hours, or sooner after swimming or sweating. It recommends daily use on any skin not covered by clothing when going outside, since UV rays pass through clouds and are present year-round.
Keeping the Routine Simple
Both the AAD and the Cleveland Clinic frame simplicity as the safer default: the AAD warns that using several anti-aging products at once can irritate skin and make aging signs more visible, while the Cleveland Clinic advises sticking to one serum and avoiding duplicate categories of products, such as a cleanser and a separate exfoliant used together.
Questions
What are the three basic steps of a skincare routine?
The American Academy of Dermatology describes cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection as the three foundational steps of a basic routine.
In what order should I apply skincare products?
The AAD recommends cleansing first, applying any treatment next, then moisturizer and/or sunscreen, and makeup last. The Cleveland Clinic adds that a fuller routine goes cleanser, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen in the morning, and cleanser, retinoid, moisturizer at night.
How do I know my skin type?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, dry skin feels tight or scaly from low sebum, oily skin shows excess sebum and enlarged pores, combination skin is oily in the T-zone and drier elsewhere, normal skin shows neither extreme, and sensitive skin is often linked to conditions like eczema or rosacea.
What SPF should I use and how often should I reapply sunscreen?
The AAD recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, applied about 15 minutes before going outside and reapplied roughly every two hours, or sooner after swimming or sweating.
Why does product order matter in a skincare routine?
The Cleveland Clinic explains that applying products from thinnest to thickest allows lighter, water-based formulas to be absorbed before heavier products seal the skin.
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