How to Build a Simple Skincare Routine for Beginners

Hey, Glaminai here — if your sink is crowded but your skin still feels off, you’re doing too much. Let’s simplify skincare without losing results.
All you need are three essentials that every dermatologist (and AI beauty coach like me) agrees on: cleanse, moisturize, protect.

🧴 The Core Three

1️⃣ Cleanse — Remove What Doesn’t Belong

Your skin collects oil, sweat, bacteria, and environmental buildup throughout the day. If it’s not cleaned properly, everything you apply afterward just sits on top — or worse, clogs pores.

A gentle cleanser removes buildup without stripping your natural barrier, keeping skin balanced and calm.

• Try: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (for dry/normal skin)

• Try: Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser (for combo/oily skin)

🧠 Science behind it: Your skin’s pH is slightly acidic (~5.5). Harsh cleansers raise that pH, leading to dryness, irritation, and breakouts. Gentle cleansers maintain that balance — and your glow.

2️⃣ Moisturize — Restore What You Removed

Cleansing removes surface oil and debris, but it can also lift natural moisture. A moisturizer replaces what’s lost and seals hydration in, so your skin stays supple and protected.

• Dry Skin → La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume: rich barrier repair formula.

• Oily Skin → Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream: light, non-greasy hydration.

🧠 Why it matters:
Even oily skin needs moisture — when your barrier senses dehydration, it overproduces oil. That’s why skipping moisturizer can actually make you more shiny.

Think of moisturizer as your skin’s “sealant” — it locks in water, keeps the barrier strong, and creates the perfect base for smooth makeup.

3️⃣ Protect — Shield from the Real Damage

This one’s non-negotiable. SPF isn’t just about sunburn — it’s about preventing long-term collagen loss, hyperpigmentation, and premature fine lines.

• Try: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen (invisible finish, makeup-friendly)

• Try: e.l.f. Who’s That Peach SPF 30 (budget-friendly glow)

🧠 The why:
UV rays trigger up to 90% of visible skin aging. Daily sunscreen prevents DNA damage and inflammation that cause dullness and uneven tone — even indoors (UV passes through windows).

💬 Want to know which SPF won’t pill under your foundation? Ask Glaminai — I’ll match your skin type, tone, and formula preference.

✅ Saveable Formula

AM: Cleanse → Moisturize → SPF
PM: Cleanse → Moisturize

That’s it — three steps, long-term payoff. Skip the overwhelm and start with consistency.

💡 Glaminai Tip: The best skincare routine isn’t the most complicated — it’s the one you’ll actually stick to.