If you don't have an established skincare routine, the thought of starting one can seem like a daunting process. A skincare routine can be anywhere from a couple of steps to a twenty-step process. Thankfully, you get to decide how long your skincare routine is, but independent of your preference or skin type, there are a few steps that you should never skip in any skincare routine.

1. Cleanse and remove makeup

One of the most important steps to any skincare routine is to cleanse your skin (morning and night) and remove makeup. Cleansing is essential to prevent clogged pores, which helps to prevent breakouts. Not all cleansers are made the same, though. When choosing a cleanser, it's essential to use a formulation that will remove excess oil and debris without stripping your skin dry and harming your skin barrier. The Dermala CLEANSE with Benefits AM/PM Cleanser is gentle, pH-balanced, and won't dry out your skin. 

2. Use a treatment

If you have acne-prone skin, an acne treatment should be part of your daily skincare regimen. It can take up to two weeks of development underneath your skin before pimples even make an appearance on the surface, so treating your skin early is the key to preventing breakouts. Many factors come together to cause acne, including the production of excess sebum and the improper shedding of dead skin cells. These two components combine together to clog pores. Salicylic acid is able to penetrate sebum deep into pores to dislodge debris. Incorporating a salicylic acid-based acne treatment into your daily skincare routine will not only treat current breakouts, but also prevent new ones from forming.

3. Moisturize

Whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin, moisturizing is another essential step in a skincare routine. Moisturizers add and lock in hydration to maintain a healthy skin barrier, which is necessary when using an acne treatment. Many people with acne-prone skin also experience skin sensitivity, and strengthening the skin barrier will help the skin better tolerate acne treatments. Moisturizing the skin will also help your skin’s natural oil balance. The body produces oil to protect and soften the skin. When the skin is too dry, the body will respond by producing excess oil.

4. Apply an SPF during the day

If the thought of having any skincare routine sounds overwhelming, then your one must-have skincare product should be a broad-spectrum SPF! Daily exposure to UV-radiation damages the skin, causes premature aging and can lead to very severe skin conditions like skin cancer. Excess sun exposure will also damage the skin barrier and inflame skin conditions like acne. Recent studies also suggest constant exposure to the blue light emitted from computers and cell phones can also potentially damage the skin and eyes. So, even if you’re not outside much in a day, it’s a good habit to apply a broad-spectrum SPF every morning to protect your skin.