An Easy Skin Care Routine For Every Skin Type

Let’s get something out of the way: skin care can be difficult. Everyone has a different skin type and there are about a zillion products on offer, as well as intricate rules about what can and can’t be mixed.

It can be a tricky-to-navigate space, and not everybody has the time or patience for it; especially if you’re just searching for an easy skin care routine that gets the job done swiftly.

That’s precisely where we come in! We’ve done the years of testing and trialling to know what really works for each skin type (without calling for any tricky application steps).

So that’s exactly what we’re running you through: easy skin care routines for every skin type that’ll get your face feeling fresh, hydrated and healthy sans headache, no matter your concerns.

As long as you’re prioritising the three streamlined steps of cleanse, treat and hydrate, you’ll be made in the shade. So, let’s kick off, shall we? Find your skin type and add to cart accordingly!

Easy skin care routine for acne

Building a skin care routine for an acne-prone complexion feels the furthest thing from easy, we know! Luckily, we have a few stellar suggestions…

If blemishes are your big concern, you’ll want to make sure your cleanser is taking its task (of ridding skin of oil and congestion) very seriously. We advise stocking your shower shelf with a formula specifically designed to address excess grease and bacteria. The SkinB5 Acne Control Cleansing Mousse ($24.95 at SkinB5) will do just that while also harnessing the healing and calming powers of green tea and aloe vera to ensure no irritation arises.

Once your canvas is clean, it’s time to treat. Address acne with a salicylic acid serum; it’ll clarify the complexion and unclog pores, helping to clear away current blemishes while also aiming to prevent future pimples. Our fave? The Skin Physics SALICYLIC ACID + Blemish Control Serum ($29.99 at Priceline).

Your final step? Moisturiser. But of course with acne-prone skin, you don’t want to overwhelm the skin with massive amounts of moisture that can cause further congestion. Something light, soothing and sensitivity-friendly is key. We’re giant fans of the BIODERMA Sébium Sensitive Soothing Anti-Acne Moisturiser ($24.99 at Chemist Warehouse).

Easy skin care routine for oily skin

Oily skin is often lumped in with acne in terms of treatment steps, but the approach should actually be a little different. Here’s what we advise…

For cleanser, we recommend a classic foaming face wash created to rid the skin of excess oil and restore balance without stripping away natural moisture. Remember: draw out too much moisture and the vicious cycle of oil overproduction will start all over again. Our top pick is the Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser ($32 at Paula’s Choice).

The ‘treat’ step is where you can really address the oil issue; a good purifying serum will minimise the appearance of pores, balance oil (both the visible kind and the beneath-the-surface type plotting to form into pimples later), and also bless skin with just the right amount of hydration to avoid over-drying and exacerbating the issue. Luckily, the Minenssey Purifying Perfecting Serum ($58 at Minenssey) will do all that while also feeling weightless on the skin!

We know you’re probably wincing at the thought of slathering oily skin in moisturiser, but say it with us: hydration is not the enemy! In fact, we’d go as far as to say the Essano Oil Control Moisturiser ($13.99 at Chemist Warehouse) is the hero you’ve been searching for! Lightweight and brilliant at stopping shine in its tracks, a formula like this is the key to restoring and maintaining moisture balance. And that in turn will keep oil and pores in check!

Easy skincare routine for dry skin

Ah, dry skin! The focus for you is simple: three steps that will gift your parched face as much hydration as possible. Here’s our hydration-replenishing how-to…

Cleanser tends to be the trickiest step to master when it comes to dehydrated skin. You want to make sure the skin is effectively purified, but you don’t want to lose a drop of precious moisture. A deliciously velvety cream cleanser is our fave formula for dry skin, and you can’t go wrong with the Nude by Nature Hydrating Cream Cleanser ($22.95 at Nude by Nature). It’ll melt away makeup and impurities in the most moisturising manner possible. Ideal!

When choosing a treatment product for hydration purposes, we actually suggest picking up an extra potent oil rather than a classic serum. The richer the better! The A’kin Certified Organic Rosehip Oil ($19.99 at A’kin), for example, is the perfect formula for nourishing, hydrating and softening dry, rough skin.

Lastly, you’ll want to lock in all that nourishing goodness with a hydrating hero. Yep, you guessed it, it’s moisturiser time. The Sukin Naturals Skin Relief Facial Moisturiser ($20 at Sukin) is beloved by dry-skinned faces everywhere for good reason. It’s everything you want in a nourishing moisturiser: intensely hydrating without being heavy.

Easy skincare routine for combinatioin skin

Now if your skin type falls into the combination category, chances are you’ve always felt a little lost as to exactly what you need. We get it: it’s confusing! But we’ve got a routine just for you…

When washing your face, you want to opt for a formula that sits somewhere in the middle, as your skin has both dry and oil-prone areas. The esmi skin minerals The Uncomplicated Cleanser ($49 at esmi skin minerals) is just that; a no-fuss formula that’ll balance any oily patches without leaving the drier spots feeling dry or tight.

A combination skin type basically wants you to apply different treatment products per area to keep its demands met; but that doesn’t sound like the easy option you’re after, now does it? Instead of trying to multi-treat, slather on a freshening, firming option like the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex ($169 at Adore Beauty). It’s a multipurpose blend with a worldwide cult following, and it’s neither too rich or too drying. Skin will simply be left replenished and radiant!

The last step for a combo skin type? A moisturiser that (like your previous serum step) will aid both dryness and oiliness without worsening either. A light hydrating lotion with some oil-absorbing abilities but a formula that still offers deep hydration is the secret to success. The etat pur Light Moisturising Cream ($35 at Look Fantastic) fits the bill perfectly!

And there you have it! An easy skin care routine for every skin type! Just top each with SPF and you’re good to go. We told you great skin didn’t need to require extreme effort!

Main image credit: @kerrywashington

Do you have any must-have products for your skin type?