Boy Beauty: How to nail your ultra-basic skincare routine in 5 simple steps

When it comes to skincare, most of the time building a skincare routine from scratch can feel like the most terrifying prospect and that is OK. From outside looking into the beauty world, it can seem like a terrible overwhelming mess when you consider every new day brings with it some kind of new launch and that's not even taking K-Beauty — the Korean-inspired skincare that involves between 10 to 15 different steps — into account.

As someone who exists in the eye of the beauty storm, I’m here to tell all of you non-believers that skincare doesn't need to be intimidating, just start with some straightforward tricks. So beauty disciples, listen up; here's five simple (baby) steps to get you started:

This is the universal start of every skincare routine. Don’t worry too much about which cleanser you opt for, the main thing is for it to leave your skin feeling fresh and supple, with no tightness. If that's the case then it's most likely a good option. If this is your first time choosing one then go for a gentle, hydrating formula, avoiding anything that says ‘exfoliating’ or ‘with active ingredients’ for now as they’re more advanced products that require a bit more strategy when introducing into your routine. As one dermatologist said way back when I was starting puberty: “It’s coming off your face, don’t worry that much about it”.

Granted, this step seems a bit useless but stay with us. When we cleanse, even if the formula is gentle, we strip the skin of its natural oils and unbalance its pH levels. Toners correct this imbalance. When searching for the right toner, most of the time opt for hydrating formulas, that’s usually what most of us are lacking. Other good options will help to control any excess oil, reduce redness and rebuild your lipid barrier, along with a whole host of other things. Bonus tip: go for a toner in a spray bottle as this removes the temptation for any single-use cotton pad applicators.

Serums are a tough category to get to grips with as there are so many options to choose from. However, when you break it down, serums are much like potions or boosters that have concentrated powers that you might desire, for example if your skin is dry, try a hydrating serum. Got pimples? Try a salicylic acid serum. Some serums might even work for more than just one concern. When making your selection, focus on what your skin's specific requirement is and do a bit of research of what are the best ingredients to use for it. Be careful to avoid retinols and mixing acids as they might irritate the skin. Finally, stick to just one product per routine time (morning or night) while you’re still on the early stages of your skincare journey as some actives might cancel one another out.

The key to glowing healthy skin is moisture. Men naturally have oilier skin than women, so in some cases, especially during the summer months, applying moisturiser might leave the skin feeling overly oily or heavy. If this is the case, then skip it all together. Reconsider this if at some point your skin feels dry or tight, or during winter if it feels itchy or looks red.

Finally, while all other previous steps could (and should) be followed in exactly the same way, both in the morning and prior to bed, moisturisers could change from morning to night. In the morning, opt for a lighter moisturiser or simply skip it all together, while at night choose a thicker, more nourishing formula.

During the day, sunscreen is a must. No matter if it’s summer, winter, the genesis or the end of the Earth, always wear sunscreen. And remember that SPF 30 is the recommended minimum protection level. In terms of application frequency, it's best if you apply it every two to three hours, especially if you’re out in direct sunlight.

If you’ve gotten this far, congratulations, you have now the basics to build an essentials-only routine. Give it a try and allow yourself permission to explore and experiment. Remember: you might not see immediate results, but stick with it for at least 21 days. And there is always more to learn, but for now, start here.