Building a Skincare Routine That Actually Works
Five steps, in the right order, with the right active ingredients. The truth about which products move the needle and which ones are mostly marketing.
You don't need fifteen products. You need five, used consistently, in the right order. Here's the routine we put almost every patient on, customized only by skin type and goals.
Morning
- Gentle cleanser. Sulfate-free, fragrance-free. You're rinsing off oil and sweat, not stripping your skin.
- Vitamin C serum (10–15%). An antioxidant that brightens and helps protect against environmental damage.
- Moisturizer matched to your skin type. Oily skin: gel. Combination: lotion. Dry: cream with ceramides.
- Mineral SPF 30 or higher. Non-negotiable. The single most important anti-aging step you can take.
Evening
- Double cleanse if you wore SPF or makeup. Oil cleanser first, then your gentle cleanser.
- Retinoid (prescription tretinoin or a well-formulated retinol). Three nights a week to start; build up to nightly. This is the workhorse for tone, texture, and fine lines.
- Moisturizer. Same one as the morning is fine.
Things you can skip
Toners, essences, ten-step routines, "anti-aging" products without a clinically studied active, anything that promises results in 7 days. Save the money for in-office treatments that compound over time.
Things worth adding strategically
Niacinamide for redness. Azelaic acid for melasma and rosacea. A weekly chemical exfoliant (lactic or mandelic acid) if your skin tolerates it. Hyaluronic acid serum if you live somewhere dry.
Aesthology Skincare Team
Written by the Aesthology Medspa clinical team — board-certified providers and licensed aestheticians who believe in honest aesthetics, calm rooms, and results that look like you.
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