Home/Skin & Skincare
Skin & Skincare

Does your skincare routine need to be complicated?

Start with what a routine is for. Then make room for the questions that matter to your skin.

Key takeaways

  • The American Academy of Dermatology's basic approach centres on three steps: gentle cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection.
  • A long product list is not the starting point for a skin-care routine.
  • Moisturizer is a broad category: lotions, gels, creams and ointments differ in texture and composition.
  • Any prescribed treatment or ongoing concern needs an individual conversation with a qualified clinician.
1 min read
Written byAuthor name · PlaceholderEditorial writer · Assignment pending
Medical reviewer · Review pendingMedical reviewer name · PlaceholderNo completed medical review
Last updated Last medically reviewed: pendingEditorial standardsReport an error

Draft preview · Created with AI assistance. Not approved for publication or medically reviewed.

Illustration of a woman pressing a towel to her cheek at a bathroom sink beside a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen
Illustration created for dermatologists.org with AI assistance (Higgsfield); not a real patient or contributor

The short answer

A long product list is not the starting point. The American Academy of Dermatology’s budget guide focuses on cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection. Read the AAD guide ↗

Understand the purpose of the basics.

The AAD describes gentle cleansing as a way to remove dirt, oil, and debris. Moisturizing and sun protection are also part of its approach to basic care.

Use that framework as a starting point for learning, rather than a personalized treatment plan. Your own concerns and any prescribed treatment deserve an individual conversation with a qualified clinician.

A label is a starting point, too.

Moisturizer is a broad category. The AAD explains that lotions, gels, creams, and ointments can all fall within it. Their textures and composition differ. See the AAD’s moisturizer explainer ↗

Learning a few ingredient terms can make the packaging less mysterious. It does not tell you everything about how a finished product will work for you.

Sources & review status

  1. AAD: Skin care on a budget
  2. AAD: How to pick the right moisturizer

Human editorial assignment and any required medical review must be completed before publication.

Report an error or suggest a correction →