Ask a group of women what a skincare routine means to them and you’re sure to come out of it with a handful of different answers. From face wash and a moisturiser, exfoliation and a collagen sheet mask once a week, to a full-blown 10-step Korean skin care routine. We cast no judgments – not a single answer would be wrong, simply unique to the individual. But as experts, brands and the media uncover the latest in best practices for skin care routines with a surplus of information, deciding what’s best for the skin you’re in has become a bit more intimidating and overwhelming. So let’s break it down.

Here we’re stripping away the fluff and going right back to basics. There’s no better place to start than at the very beginning. Even though everyone may have different skin issues and goals, there are general rules that apply to all which will help to define the core steps to follow when it comes down to taking care of the biggest organ you own; your skin.

First and foremost, keep it simple. Start with your basics and expand as you learn more about your skin type, goals, and concerns. Less is more (a saying we love to live by), and when you stick to a consistent skin care routine of minimal products it’s easier to maintain as well as see the benefits. Trust in the process, have patience and keep up the consistency so that you can see the true results.

Step 1: Cleanse

Cleanse your skin twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Wait; did we really need to tell you this?

Perhaps.

Carrying on… a morning cleanse will wash away any evidence of oil from your pillow or hair after a good nights rest. And after a full day of exposing your skin to pollutants, harmful free radicals, and not to mention a build up of excess oils, sweat and dead skin cells, it’s imperative that you do not skip washing your face every night. Word to the wise – new mom and model, Hilary Rhoda, said it best on her Instagram stories recently – don’t wait until you’re too tired to take the time to care for your skin before bed. Set time aside earlier in the evening so that you can rest easy with a beautifully hydrated face.

Step 2: Moisturise

The next important step is rehydrating your skin with a light weight moisturiser. When in doubt, if you’re unsure of your skin type, an oil-free moisturiser is an excellent option, which is well tolerated by all skin types.

After your moisturiser, now is the time to address any concerns that you might have, such as fine lines, pigmentation, acne or dry skin.

In the evening, your routine will end here.

Step 3: Protect

During the daytime, protecting your skin from the sun is especially important living in the Middle East. Slather up with a sunscreen that’s equal to or higher than SPF 30 as this is your first and best line of defense when it comes to shielding your skin from cancer, unwanted pigmentation, fine lines, and premature aging. Need we say more?