No matter your gender, ethnicity, or skin type, a little effort goes a long way when it comes to taking care of your skin. Consistency is key, but you don’t necessarily need to overcomplicate things. A simple, streamlined regimen can be perfectly effective if you choose the right products and use them correctly.

Whether you’re a skincare savant or just learning the basics, here are the most important steps to include in your daily routine:

1. Cleanse in the morning and evening

Start and end your day with a simple cleanse. When you first wake up, it’s beneficial to remove the sweat, oil, dead skin, and bacteria that can build up overnight. A second cleanse in the evening removes pore-clogging oil, dirt, and environmental pollutants that can impair your skin’s nightly repair process.

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A gentle foaming cleanser like La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser is a great choice. This formula removes impurities without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. Plus, it’s lightweight and has a purifying effect that leaves your skin feeling fresh.

2. Target key concerns with serum

After cleansing, apply a few drops of serum to give your skin a healthy boost. You can choose a product designed to target a specific skin concern like uneven skin tone, oily and acne-prone skin, or dryness or go with a multi-functional formula. Simply massage a few drops into your face and neck until the product is fully absorbed.

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If you’re looking for a daily serum with wide-ranging benefits, consider Derma Made Antioxidant C Serum+. Featuring high-performance vitamin C, this fast-absorbing serum helps brighten and even skin tone, boosts collagen production, and protects against environmental stressors.

3. Stick to lightweight moisturizer with SPF

Daily moisturization helps keep your skin soft and supple, which makes fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable. It’s also crucial in maintaining your skin’s natural moisture barrier which helps protect against environmental pollutants. Always apply moisturizer after serums and other treatments as the last step in your routine.

Because men’s skin tends to produce more sebum than women’s skin, it’s wise to choose a lightweight moisturizer that won’t clog your pores or leave your skin looking greasy. To further simplify your routine, consider a product with SPF so you don’t have to apply sunscreen over it.

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For dry skin that could use a little extra hydration, Zerafite Barrier Repair Moisturizer is a strong choice.

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If you’re looking for something with SPF protection, try something like EltaMD UV Daily Untinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40.

If healthy skin is your goal this year, it’s time to take a closer look at your grooming and skincare habits. Building a better skincare routine isn’t just about finding the right products, after all. It’s also about avoiding the things that sabotage your skin. Here are some examples:

1. Picking the wrong products for your skin type

When shopping for skincare products, always start by narrowing down the options by skin type. Using the wrong product could exacerbate existing skin issues or simply not fail to deliver the benefits you’re hoping for. For example, using moisturizer for dry skin when you have oily skin could clog your pores and lead to breakouts.

2. Using cheap cleanser

While it may be tempting to use the same soap for everything, the skin on your face is generally more sensitive. Cheap cleansers often contain strong fragrance or chemical additives that can irritate your skin, leading to issues with redness, dryness, or even an allergic reaction. It’s worth spending a little more on a decent cleanser, especially since a little goes a long way.

3. Forgetting to apply sunscreen every day

Even if your daily skincare routine consists of little else besides splashing water on your face in the morning, you should still be applying sunscreen. The effects of UV radiation compound over time and sun damage can never be fully reversed on a cellular level. Experts recommend wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapplying every two hours when you’re outdoors.

4. Rushing through your shave routine

Whether you shave everyday or only once in a while, it’s important to do it correctly. Using a dull razor, shaving too closely, or going against the grain can damage or irritate your skin and increase the risk for ingrown hairs. Always cleanse before shaving and consider switching to

5. Overdoing it on exfoliation

Regular exfoliation helps remove the excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells that can clog your pores. For many men, exfoliation is a crucial step before shaving, but it’s important to pick the right exfoliant. Harsh scrubs can strip your skin of essential moisture or cause minor irritation that can be made worse by shaving, so stick with something gentle for daily use or go with a chemical peel for less frequent use.

Skincare can be as simple or complex as you want it to be, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. The benefit to taking a streamlined approach to skincare is that you’ll be hitting the basics without overwhelming yourself (or your skin). Once you’ve made a habit of daily cleansing and moisturizing, you can reassess to determine whether you have the time and energy to add another step (or two) to your routine.

Remember, you don’t have to limit yourself to skincare products marketed to men. When it comes to skincare essentials like cleansers, serums, and SPF, shop for your skin type first and foremost.

And if you want to make the most of your skincare routine, join the Exclusive Beauty Club for free and start earning points on every purchase!