GROOMING TIPS

NEW TO SKINCARE? FOLLOW THIS SIMPLE 3-STEP ROUTINE

By Emma Strawbridge, 18 August 2025

The world of skincare can seem daunting if you haven't ventured into it before. There are so many grooming products and skincare tools on the market, it's hard to figure out what they all do, and which are right for you. The truth? Sometimes it’s better to keep it simple. You might have specific skincare concerns, in which case, there’ll be certain products you can add to your routine to help (which we’ll go into), but your daily skincare routine doesn’t need to be seven steps long with products that break the bank. Scroll on to see why you should actually be using skincare, and the step-by-step routine we’d recommend for beginners.

WHY DO I NEED A SKINCARE ROUTINE?

In short, to protect your skin and keep it looking and feeling as healthy as possible. Skincare products can help fight against the harsh effects winter has on your skin, as well as providing sun protection and help with specific skin concerns that will depend on your skin type.

WHAT SKIN TYPE DO I HAVE?

If you don’t know your skin type, let us help you. There are four skin types: oily, combination, dry and sensitive. To figure out which you have, use a mild cleanser to wash your face, then let it dry and wait 30 minutes. After this, assess how your skin looks and feels. If it’s shiny all over, you probably have oily skin. If it’s only shiny in the T-zone, that means you could have combination skin. If it feels tight, it's likely you’ve got dry skin. And if it feels tight and irritated, that’s probably sensitive skin. Once you know your skin type, it’s way easier to choose products that are right for you.

WHAT PRODUCTS SHOULD I BE USING?

A skincare routine for beginners can be simplified down to three simple steps: cleanse, moisturise and protect. Additional steps can be added, but they’re not totally necessary. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can look to add in products for your specific skin concerns.

YOUR NEW ROUTINE:

STEP 1: CLEANSE

A good cleanser works to rid your skin of the day’s dirt and grime, along with dead skin cells and excess oil. Doing this will help prevent the build-up of all these things, which can clog your pores and potentially lead to breakouts. Apply a cleanser of your choice morning and night for the best results.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin 236ml, £12.50

STEP 2: MOISTURISE

You might think you only need to use a moisturiser if you have dry skin. While they do aid hydration, there are so many other benefits to using a moisturiser. They can help protect the skin’s barrier, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and generally just keep your skin looking and feeling healthy. If you have oily skin, look for lightweight water-based formulas. On the other end of the spectrum, those with dry skin should choose thicker creams with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

Bulldog Original Moisturiser 100ml, £7

STEP 3: PROTECT

This one’s for your daytime skincare routine. SPF is probably one of the most important – and most forgotten – products you should have in your cabinet, and you should be applying it every day. Yes, even in winter. A good SPF helps protect against the harmful effects of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays (which can penetrate clouds and windows), and can also reduce the appearance of fine lines, help maintain an even skin tone and protect against discolouration in the skin.

The Ordinary UV Filters SPF45 Serum 60ml, £15.80

WHAT OTHER PRODUCTS CAN I USE?

If you have skin concerns you want to address proactively, you can add other products to your skincare arsenal. Serums (which should be applied after cleanser and before your moisturiser) offer a good way to do this as they usually deliver higher concentrations of specific ingredients that can aid with targeted concerns. Exfoliators and toners can be used to help remove dead skin cells and even skin tone, respectively. Check out our articles on acne-prone skin, dry skin and oily skin to see which ingredients you should look for in face serums, exfoliators and toners, depending on your skin type.