The Beginner’s Guide to Building a Skincare Routine

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If you’re new to skincare, don’t worry — everyone starts somewhere. The most important thing is finding products that work for your skin type and building a routine you’ll actually stick to. Being consistent is key when it comes to skincare. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you get started, especially if you have dry skin.

Step 1: Gentle Gel-Based Face Wash (Cleanser)

  • Why it matters: Cleansing is the first and most important step to remove dirt, oil, and buildup. Gel cleansers are great for gently cleaning the skin without stripping it.
  • What to look for: Sulfate-free, fragrance-free, hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid.

Here are three of my favorite cleansers that feel incredibly gentle on the skin — perfect for dry or sensitive skin types:

These options strike the perfect balance between effective cleansing and maintaining your skin’s moisture barrier.

Step 2: Hydrating Toner or Essence (Optional but Beneficial)

  • Why it matters: While not essential, a toner can help rebalance skin’s pH and prep it for better absorption of serums/moisturizers.
  • What to look for: Alcohol-free, and with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, rose water, or hyaluronic acid.

Here are two cult-favorite hydrating toners that are lightweight yet deeply moisturizing — perfect for layering and ideal for beginners:

  • Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner – A minimal-ingredient, fragrance-free formula packed with Astragalus root extract, known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It has a slightly thicker consistency, almost like an essence, and delivers long-lasting hydration without clogging pores.
  • Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion (Light or Rich) – A Japanese skincare icon, this lotion (which is really a toner) is formulated with multiple types of hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate the skin. It absorbs quickly and works beautifully under serums or moisturizers, especially when applied to damp skin.

Step 3: Serum (Targeted Treatment)

  • Why it matters: Serums are lightweight but highly concentrated treatments that deliver active ingredients deep into the skin. They target specific concerns like dryness, dullness, or uneven texture. When building a beginner-friendly routine, choose just one or two based on your skin’s needs — and always layer them after toner but before moisturizer.
  • What to look for:
    • For hydration: Hyaluronic Acid
      Attracts moisture to the skin, making it look plumper and feel smoother. Best applied on damp skin.
    • For glow: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
      Brightens dull skin, evens out tone, and fights early signs of aging. Choose gentler derivatives if you’re just starting.
    • For barrier support: Niacinamide (5%)
      Strengthens your skin barrier, reduces redness, and smooths texture without irritation.
    • For anti-aging & texture: Retinol (Low strength, 0.1–0.3%)
      Speeds up skin renewal, reduces fine lines, and smooths skin over time. Start slow — 1x per week at night only, and always follow with SPF in the morning.

Here are some options for each serum type:

💧 Hyaluronic Acid (for Hydration)

🌟 Vitamin C (for Glow)

🛡️ Niacinamide (for Barrier Support)

  • [AXIS-Y] Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum – A gentle, niacinamide-based serum designed to fade dark spots and even out skin tone. Enriched with plant extracts and squalane, it hydrates and soothes while giving your skin a natural glow. Lightweight and non-sticky — perfect for daily use, even on sensitive skin.
  • PURITO Galacto Niacin 97 Power Essence – A powerful yet gentle essence with 5% niacinamide and 92% galactomyces ferment filtrate, known for brightening and refining skin texture. It helps minimize pores, improve elasticity, and strengthen the skin barrier without irritation.

🕛 Retinol (for Texture & Anti-Aging)

Step 4: Moisturizer (To Lock Everything In)

  • Why it matters: This seals in all the hydration and prevents moisture loss.
  • What to look for: Ceramides, squalane, glycerin, or shea butter. Rich but non-greasy textures.

Here are three rich, skin-soothing moisturizers that work beautifully for dry skin — perfect as the final step to seal in hydration:

  • Eucerin UltraSensitive Soothing Care – This gentle moisturizer contains no alcohol, fragrance, or preservatives. It instantly calms irritation, reduces tightness, and deeply moisturizes without clogging pores — a go-to for reactive skin types.
  • CeraVe Moisturizing Cream – A cult-favorite cream packed with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. This non-comedogenic formula deeply hydrates while helping to restore the skin’s natural barrier. Suitable for both face and body.
  • The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA – A lightweight yet effective moisturizer formulated with amino acids, fatty acids, and hyaluronic acid. It hydrates the outer layers of the skin without feeling heavy or greasy, making it great for daytime use under SPF or makeup.
  • Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream – If your skin often feels tight, flaky, or irritated — especially in colder weather — Cetaphil’s Moisturising Cream is a great go-to. It’s formulated specifically for dry, sensitive skin and is known for being gentle, fragrance-free, and non-irritating.

Step 5: Sunscreen (Morning Routine Essential)

  • Why it matters: Protects skin from UV damage, which causes premature aging, early wrinkles, hyper pigmentation and dryness.
  • What to look for: Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ or higher, non-comedogenic, moisturizing texture.

Here are three facial sunscreens that offer broad-spectrum protection while keeping dry skin calm, hydrated, and comfortable:

  • PURITO Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen offers broad-spectrum SPF50+ PA++++ protection while keeping skin lightweight and comfortable. Infused with five types of ceramides, it strengthens the skin barrier and helps lock in hydration. Its non-white cast formula makes it perfect for all skin tones, and the silky texture absorbs quickly without stickiness — ideal for daily wear under makeup or on its own.
  • La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE SPF50+ – A dermatologist-trusted sunscreen featuring La Roche-Posay’s newest Mexoryl 400 filter, offering ultra-high UVA and UVB protection. The lightweight, non-greasy formula is designed for sensitive skin and doesn’t leave a white cast. It layers well under makeup and is water-resistant — perfect for daily wear.
  • Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++ – A deeply moisturizing, non-greasy sunscreen infused with rice extract and probiotics to nourish and calm the skin while providing strong UV protection. The creamy, serum-like texture leaves no white cast and gives the skin a soft, glowy finish — perfect for dry and sensitive skin.

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