BY DORI PRICE AND APRIL FRANZINOUPDATED: OCT 16, 2024

TESTED BY SABINA WIZEMANNBEAUTY LAB DIRECTOR

he foundation for a healthy, glowing complexion at any age is the right regimen for your skin type. We know — easier said than done. It can be difficult to know where to begin among the endless skincare products on the market and the overload of the sometimes questionable "advice" available on social media (TikTok, we're looking at you) and elsewhere.

Take the "morning shed" for example. This trend suggests people apply layers upon layers of skincare products before bed and "shed" them in the morning. While it may work for some, this is a classic example of more not always being better — trying this trend could cause irritation to the skin. One other trend you may want to skip: the 10-step skincare routine. For many skin types, including sensitive, it's better to keep it simple.

What exactly is a simple yet hard-working regimen? We've got you covered. We cut through the clutter by consulting top dermatologists to help you build the best, most effective skincare routine for all skin types from aging, dry and sensitive to combination, oily and acne-prone. Complexion perfection starts now.

Meet the Experts

• Ashley Magovern, M.D., a dermatologist in Manhattan Beach, California
• Whitney Bowe, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City
• Jennifer David, D.O., a dermatologist in Philadelphia
• Marnie Nussbaum, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City
• Sabina Wizemann, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Director
• Tonya McLeod, M.D., a dermatologist in Charlotte, North Carolina
• Mona Gohara, M.D., a dermatologist in Connecticut
• Y. Claire Chang, M.D., a dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City

To get the most benefit from a daily skincare regimen, no matter what your skin type, you should start with three basic steps, according to Ashley Magovern, M.D., a dermatologist and owner and founder of Manhattan Dermatology in Manhattan Beach, California:

• Cleanse
• Treat
• Moisturize

You probably already know that cleansing means washing your face and moisturizing means hydrating your skin, but what does "treating" involve? Well, in addition to keeping your complexion in great shape, the goal of any skincare routine is to target problem areas. Treating means incorporating serums packed full of beneficial skincare ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, alpha hydroxy acids and others, depending on your skin type and the results you want to see. "Adding a middle step in between the cleansing and moisturizing components is really important," Dr. Magovern says. "It can make a huge difference over time in the health, appearance and aging of your skin."

There are other bonus steps you can add to your skincare routine depending on your needs and the time of day, including applying toner, sunscreen and eye cream; these are detailed below.

Here, the best dermatologist-approved daily skincare routines for morning and night including the steps and the proper order, plus the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab's top-tested product picks.

Morning Skincare Routine Steps

1. Cleanser

Face cleansing should be the first step in any skincare routine, as it clears away impurities and excess oil that can clog pores and dull skin. But be gentle: “Many people cleanse too often or use a cleanser that’s overly harsh, which will actually break down your skin’s protective barrier,” Dr. Magovern says. If you have dry or sensitive skin, try washing only at night and rinsing your face with water in the morning.

The best face wash formulas will gently cleanse your skin without stripping it of healthy oils. “A [good] sulfate- and soap-free cleanser for the face will be pH-balanced and gentle to maintain the skin’s barrier without stripping,” says Whitney Bowe, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and author of The Beauty of Dirty Skin. For everyday cleansing, here's how to choose a face cleanser based on your skin type:

• Oily skin: A foaming or gel cleanser will ensure adequate removal of dirt and oil from your skin; ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid can help regulate and remove excess oil.
• Acne-prone skin: A foaming cleanser with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur is your best bet.
• Dry skin: Look for a lotion, cream, oil or balm formula that contains hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and botanical oils.
• Sensitive skin: Try a gentle fragrance-free formula or a micellar water, a mild cleanser that includes tiny particles called micelles that trap impurities and lift them away without dehydrating skin.

2. Toner

Toners are skincare liquids that are applied to dry skin after cleansing using fingers, a cotton ball or cloth, and before using other leave-on skincare treatments like serums and moisturizers. A good toner can help ensure your skin is totally clean and grime-free, plus give it an extra dose of active ingredients.

You don’t need a toner, but swiping one on can be a great way to refresh skin, remove any residual debris and balance pH, Dr. Magovern says. If you're looking for additional complexion-purifying and brightening benefits, today's toners are much more advanced than the drying alcohol- and astringent-based formulas of the past, packed with skin-boosting benefits that can leave skin glowing. Here are the ingredients you'll want to look for, based on your skin type:

• If you have acne-prone skin, look for a toner with hydroxy acids, including salicylic acid and lactic acid, which increase cell turnover to help clear pores.
• For dry or sensitive skin, seek out a hydrating toner (or its sister, an essence) made without parching alcohol and with ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to soothe.
• For combination skin, opt for gentle exfoliants, hydration boosters and antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E and green tea, which can combat free radicals and prevent skin damage.
• For oily skin, look for astringents, such as alcohol or witch hazel, that tighten pores.

3. Serum

A serum tailored to your skin concerns can both treat and protect, delivering concentrated amounts of powerful ingredients that can address a number of complexion issues, from wrinkles to dark spots to dryness. Just be sure to read the labels carefully, because some serums are best used in the morning, while others are ideal for nighttime.

One serum anyone can benefit from in the morning? An antioxidant serum, which will prevent the formation of free radicals and lessen signs of aging over time. Vitamin C is considered the gold standard antioxidant. “Everyone should use vitamin C, no matter what age,” Dr. Magovern says. “It helps reverse a lot of the skin damage we get from the sun and pollution.”

For darker skin tones, hyperpigmentation can be a common issue, and using a vitamin C serum in the morning can also help reduce dark spots, says Jennifer David, D.O., a dermatologist in Philadelphia and founder of Skin & Scripts Virtual Dermatology.

In addition to antioxidant serums, you can try anti-aging serums featuring the following ingredients to address wrinkles, fine lines and more:

• Hyaluronic acid: It draws moisture into the skin, combatting dryness and dullness and also plumping skin.
• Niacinamide: A form of vitamin B3, this brightener helps evens skin tone, boosts collagen production and calms inflammation.
• Retinoids: The vitamin A derivative stimulates cell turnover to increase collagen production and reduce wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Retinol is best used at night.
• Peptides: Made of amino acids, they are the building blocks of collagen and can boost its production to smooth lines and increase skin's firmness.

4. Eye Cream

Eye creams are different than face creams because they’re formulated specifically for the delicate eye area, which ages faster than the rest of your face — and therefore fall into the "treat" category, too. If you're concerned about fine lines, wrinkles, a lack of firmness, dark circles or undereye bags and puffiness, you may want to incorporate an eye treatment product into your routine.

To target dark circles, seek out niacinamide or vitamin C; and for puffiness, use a formula with caffeine, advises Marnie Nussbaum, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. For wrinkles and sagging, look for eye creams with peptides and retinol. In addition, "vitamin K can help brighten dark undereye circles and hyaluronic acid hydrates dry skin," says Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., a dermatologist in Westport, CT and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. To treat multiple eye area issues, shop for a combo of these ingredients targeted to your needs.

When applying eye cream in the morning and at night, lightly tap on a formula targeted to your eye-area concerns using a finger to avoid tugging on the delicate area and causing damage.

5. Moisturizer

Next come face moisturizers, which keep your skin soft and hydrated and help strengthen its barrier. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, opt for a lighter moisturizer during the daytime, such as a lotion or gel that will absorb quickly and won’t pill under makeup. If your skin is dry, try a thicker formula, like a cream. Either way, dermatologists recommend moisturizers for all skin types year round, since hydrating is crucial for keeping skin youthful and healthy. “Look for ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid, since they are the building blocks of moisture retention in skin,” Dr. David explains.

Here's how to pick a moisturizer formula, based on your skin type:

• Dry skin: A rich cream packed with emollients, humectants, ceramides and occlusives is key to quenching dryness.
• Oily or acne-prone skin: Look for light lotions or gel-based formulas labeled "non-comedogenic" or "oil-free."
  
• Sensitive skin: Seek out formulas that are hypoallergenic and free of potential irritants, like fragrance and alcohol.

6. Sunscreen

Dermatologists agree: Sunscreen is the most important step in any skincare routine for every skin type and age. “If you don’t wear sunscreen, you might as well not do any of the other steps,” Dr. Magovern says. “The sun is the number one reason skin ages prematurely.” The damage isn’t only cosmetic, no matter what your skin color: “People of color can and do get skin cancer,” Dr. David says. “Plus, if you’re treating hyperpigmentation without daily SPF use, it’s like taking two steps forward and one step backward.”

Smooth on a nickel-sized dollop of broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher face sunscreen as the last step in your morning skincare routine, including on your neck and the backs of your hands, 30 minutes before you head outside. If you want to minimize the steps in your routine, you can use a daily moisturizer with SPF instead of applying a moisturizer and SPF separately.

There are two main types of sunscreen formulas:

• Chemical sunscreens are made with chemical ingredients like avobenzone and homosalate, which absorb UV light that comes in contact with skin.
• Physical sunscreens (a.k.a. mineral sunscreens) contain mineral ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which reflect UV light off of skin.

Some SPF formulas include both chemical and physical ingredients. If you have sensitive skin, dermatologists generally recommend mineral and pure zinc-oxide sunscreens (though many chemical sunscreens have not caused irritation in GH Beauty Lab tests). For those with oily skin, look for non-comedogenic, oil-free serum, lotion or gel formulas. If you have dry skin, avoid spray or gel sunscreens with alcohol. People with darker skin tones may prefer chemical sunscreens to avoid the white cast of some physical formulas, though brands have begun to produce mineral formulations without a chalky appearance.

Night Skincare Routine Steps

It's important to switch up your skincare routine at night — and not just because you don't need SPF while you sleep. Evening is the perfect time to hydrate or treat complexion concerns, since your skin regenerates and repairs itself while you snooze, Dr. Magovern says. (Hence the term "beauty sleep.")

You'll still follow the same simple three steps — cleanse, treat and moisturize — but at night, the regimen will look a little bit different.

1. Cleanser