The Simplest Skincare Routine I Give Every Patient

If you sat in my exam chair tomorrow and asked, “Okay, but what should I actually be doing every day?” This is what I’d tell you.

Not a 12-step routine. Not a cabinet full of serums (I have so much to say about serums). Not whatever TikTok convinced you to buy last week.

Just the foundational routine I recommend to almost every single patient, no matter their age, budget, or skin type. I’ve come to learn that most people don’t need more products. They just need the right ones, used consistently.

The Core Philosophy: Protect, Correct, and Support

This routine is built on three evidence-based pillars:

1. Protection - preventing damage (SPF)
2. Correction - improving skin function (vitamin C + retinol)
3. Support - maintaining the skin barrier (cleanser + moisturizer)

If you do these things consistently, your skin will be healthier, brighter, smoother, and more resilient over time.

The Simple Daily Routine

Morning (AM)

1. Cleanse (if oily) or splash with water (if dry)

2. Vitamin C serum

3. Moisturizer

4. Tinted mineral SPF

Night (PM)

1. Cleanse

2. Retinol (2–3 nights per week)

3. Moisturizer

Step-by-Step: Why These Products Make the Cut

Cleanser

Cleansing removes sweat, oil, sunscreen, makeup, and pollution. But here’s the nuance I tell patients all the time:

• Oily or acne-prone skin: use a gentle cleanser in the morning.

• Dry or sensitive skin: skip the cleanser and just splash with cool water.

Over-cleansing is one of the most common reasons I see irritated, tight, reactive skin.

My exact picks:

For dry + sensitive skin | For acne prone | double cleansing

Vitamin C (Your Morning Multitasker)

If I could pick only one serum for the morning, it would be vitamin C.

Why? Because it:

• Brightens dull skin

• Helps fade dark spots

• Stimulates collagen

• Protects against environmental damage

• Boosts the effectiveness of your sunscreen

It’s one of the most researched and clinically supported ingredients in skincare. They can be pricey, but this is where I recommend putting your money.

Pricey, but what I use | If you are easily irritated | Budget Friendly Option

Moisturizer (Yes, Everyone Needs One)

Even oily skin.

A good moisturizer:

• Strengthens your skin barrier

• Reduces irritation

• Helps actives like retinol work better

• Improves overall texture and glow

Dehydrated skin can actually produce more oil to compensate, which is why skipping moisturizer often backfires.

K-beauty barrier repair | For dry + sensitive skin | A holy grail favorite

Tinted Mineral SPF (Your Most Important Step)

If you did nothing else but wear sunscreen every day, you’d still be ahead of most people.

Daily SPF:

• Prevents wrinkles

• Reduces pigmentation

• Protects against skin cancer

• Maintains results from any treatments

I specifically recommend tinted mineral SPF because:

• It contains iron oxides, which help protect against visible light (a big trigger for pigmentation).

• It gives a subtle, even tone, so many women can skip foundation altogether.

The only one I use

Retinol (2–3 Nights Per Week)

Retinol is the gold standard ingredient for:

• Smoothing fine lines

• Improving texture

• Reducing acne

• Boosting collagen

• Evening skin tone

But here’s where most people go wrong: they use it every single night right away.

This leads to:

• Redness

• Peeling

• Irritation

• Giving up completely

Instead, I recommend:

• Start 2–3 nights per week

• Use a pea-sized amount

• Follow with moisturizer. If you are getting intensely dry, use the sandwich method. Apply moisturizer, then retinol, then moisturizer again.

Consistency matters more than intensity.

Options for beginners | for those ready to step it up | Affordable option

Why I Start Every Patient Here

Whether someone is 28 with acne, 35 noticing signs of aging, 42 with melasma, or 50+ wanting smoother skin…. we start here.

This routine includes steps that are clinically proven. They address the most common concerns and build a strong foundation. Most importantly, they prevent wasted money on trendy products.

Once this routine is consistent, then we can layer in the exfoliating acids, pigment correctors, in office treatments. But I always, always recommend this routine.