Skincare Routine for All Skin Types A complete clinical routine designed for normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin

Anzhelina Ivanova
Dec 3, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jul 10

1. Morning Routine

Step 1: Cleanser

Cleansing helps remove impurities, excess oil, and residue while helping maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Recommended by skin type:

Dry / Mature Skin: Hydrating cream or milk cleanser (ceramides, glycerin).

Oily / Acne-Prone Skin: Foaming or gel cleanser (salicylic acid or zinc PCA).

Sensitive Skin: Fragrance-free, non-foaming cleanser (centella, allantoin).

Normal / Combination: Gentle gel cleanser.

Step 2: Toner or Essences (Optional)

Helps support skin comfort and prepares the skin for subsequent skincare products.

Hydrating toner: Hyaluronic acid, panthenol.

Clarifying toner: Salicylic acid, witch hazel (oily skin only).

Soothing toner: Chamomile, centella (for sensitive skin).

Step 3: Active Serum

Choose your serum based on your main skin concern:

Brightening & antioxidants: Vitamin C

Hydration support: Hyaluronic Acid

Oil regulation & pores: Niacinamide

Helps improve the appearance of redness: Azelaic acid

Helps improve the appearance of blemishes and clogged pores: Salicylic Acid

Step 4: Moisturizer – Barrier Protection

Every skin type needs barrier support.

Dry / Mature: Ceramide-rich creams, squalane, peptides.

Oily: Light, oil-free gel moisturizer.

Sensitive: Fragrance-free moisturizers formulated for sensitive-looking skin.

Normal / Combo: Gel-cream or lightweight lotion.

Step 5: Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen (SPF 30–50)

Fragrance-free moisturizers formulated for sensitive-looking skin.

Oily: Gel, fluid or water-based SPF.

Dry: Cream SPF with hydrating ingredients.

Sensitive: Mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide / titanium dioxide).

2. Evening Routine

Step 1: Makeup Removal or First Cleanse

Use micellar water, cleansing oil, or balm cleanser.

Ideal for removing makeup, SPF, and pollution.

Step 2: Second Cleanse (Double Cleanse Method)

Helps remove makeup, sunscreen, impurities, and excess surface oil.

Use the same morning cleanser.

Step 3: Exfoliation (2–3 times per week only)

Exfoliating ingredients can help improve the appearance of skin texture and clogged pores when used appropriately.

Dry: Lactic acid (gentle AHA).

Oily: Salicylic acid (BHA).

Combination: Glycolic acid (AHA).

Sensitive: Enzyme exfoliants (papain, bromelain).

Avoid over-exfoliation, as excessive use may contribute to dryness, irritation, and discomfort.

Step 4: Night (Choose ONE per night)

Retinoids (Anti-aging + Acne)

Retinol / Retinaldehyde (start 2× per week).

Helps improve the appearance of fine lines, uneven tone, and blemishes.

Niacinamide

Helps support skin barrier function and improve the appearance of redness.

Azelaic Acid

Safe for all skin types, including sensitive.

Helps improve the appearance of blemishes, redness, and uneven skin tone.

Hyaluronic Acid

Deep hydration for dry or stressed skin.

Step 5: Night Cream / Barrier-Supporting Moisturizer

Dry: Thick cream with ceramides + urea.

Oily: Lightweight gel.

Sensitive: Fragrance-free ceramide cream.

Normal: Standard moisturizing cream.

3. Weekly

(Optional)

Face Masks (1–2 times/week)

Dry: Hydrating mask (hyaluronic acid, amino acids).

Oily: Clay mask (kaolin/bentonite).

Combination: Multimasking (clay on T-zone, hydration on cheeks).

Sensitive: Calming mask (centella, calendula).

Chemical Peels (Professional Clinic Only)

Ideal for:

Acne-prone skin

Pigmentation

Dull texture

Fine lines

Professional chemical peels should be performed by appropriately trained skincare professionals.

REFERENCES

Dermatology Textbooks

Bolognia, J., Schaffer, J., & Cerroni, L. Dermatology (4th ed.). Elsevier, 2018.– Covers physiology, skin types, barrier function, and treatment strategies.
Draelos, Z. D. Cosmetic Dermatology: Products and Procedures. Wiley-Blackwell, 2015.– Evidence-based guidance for moisturizers, actives, and skin-type-specific care.

Peer-Reviewed Studies

Misery, L., et al. (2018). “Sensitive skin in dermatology.” JEADV.
Saint-Martory, C., et al. (2008). “Sensitive skin is not limited to the face.” BJD.
Zaenglein, A. L., et al. (2016). “Guidelines of care for acne vulgaris.” JAAD.
Rawlings, A. V., & Harding, C. R. (2004). “Moisturization and skin barrier function.” Dermatologic Therapy.
Lodén, M. (2003). “Role of moisturizers in dry and dehydrated skin.” AJCD.
Kafi, R., et al. (2007). “Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol).” Archives of Dermatology.
Farris, P. K. (2005). “Topical antioxidants in dermatology.” JAAD.
Proksch, E., Brandner, J. M., & Jensen, J. M. (2008). “The skin: an indispensable barrier.” Experimental Dermatology.
Mills, O. H., et al. (2017). “Role of salicylic acid in treating oily and combination skin.” JDRP.
Bowe, W. P., & Logan, A. C. (2010). “Acne vulgaris, probiotics, and diet.” JCAD.

ANZHELINA ILARIONOVA

1. Morning Routine

Step 1: Cleanser

Cleansing helps remove impurities, excess oil, and residue while helping maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Recommended by skin type:

Dry / Mature Skin: Hydrating cream or milk cleanser (ceramides, glycerin).

Oily / Acne-Prone Skin: Foaming or gel cleanser (salicylic acid or zinc PCA).

Sensitive Skin: Fragrance-free, non-foaming cleanser (centella, allantoin).

Normal / Combination: Gentle gel cleanser.

Step 2: Toner or Essences (Optional)

Helps support skin comfort and prepares the skin for subsequent skincare products.

Hydrating toner: Hyaluronic acid, panthenol.

Clarifying toner: Salicylic acid, witch hazel (oily skin only).

Soothing toner: Chamomile, centella (for sensitive skin).

Step 3: Active Serum

Choose your serum based on your main skin concern:

Brightening & antioxidants: Vitamin C

Hydration support: Hyaluronic Acid

Oil regulation & pores: Niacinamide

Helps improve the appearance of redness: Azelaic acid

Helps improve the appearance of blemishes and clogged pores: Salicylic Acid

Step 4: Moisturizer – Barrier Protection

Every skin type needs barrier support.

Dry / Mature: Ceramide-rich creams, squalane, peptides.

Oily: Light, oil-free gel moisturizer.

Sensitive: Fragrance-free moisturizers formulated for sensitive-looking skin.

Normal / Combo: Gel-cream or lightweight lotion.

Step 5: Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen (SPF 30–50)

Fragrance-free moisturizers formulated for sensitive-looking skin.

Oily: Gel, fluid or water-based SPF.

Dry: Cream SPF with hydrating ingredients.

Sensitive: Mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide / titanium dioxide).

2. Evening Routine

Step 1: Makeup Removal or First Cleanse

Use micellar water, cleansing oil, or balm cleanser.

Ideal for removing makeup, SPF, and pollution.

Step 2: Second Cleanse (Double Cleanse Method)

Helps remove makeup, sunscreen, impurities, and excess surface oil.

Use the same morning cleanser.

Step 3: Exfoliation (2–3 times per week only)

Exfoliating ingredients can help improve the appearance of skin texture and clogged pores when used appropriately.

Dry: Lactic acid (gentle AHA).

Oily: Salicylic acid (BHA).

Combination: Glycolic acid (AHA).

Sensitive: Enzyme exfoliants (papain, bromelain).

Avoid over-exfoliation, as excessive use may contribute to dryness, irritation, and discomfort.

Step 4: Night (Choose ONE per night)

Retinoids (Anti-aging + Acne)

Retinol / Retinaldehyde (start 2× per week).

Helps improve the appearance of fine lines, uneven tone, and blemishes.

Niacinamide

Helps support skin barrier function and improve the appearance of redness.

Azelaic Acid

Safe for all skin types, including sensitive.

Helps improve the appearance of blemishes, redness, and uneven skin tone.

Hyaluronic Acid

Deep hydration for dry or stressed skin.

Step 5: Night Cream / Barrier-Supporting Moisturizer

Dry: Thick cream with ceramides + urea.

Oily: Lightweight gel.

Sensitive: Fragrance-free ceramide cream.

Normal: Standard moisturizing cream.

3. Weekly

(Optional)

Face Masks (1–2 times/week)

Dry: Hydrating mask (hyaluronic acid, amino acids).

Oily: Clay mask (kaolin/bentonite).

Combination: Multimasking (clay on T-zone, hydration on cheeks).

Sensitive: Calming mask (centella, calendula).

Chemical Peels (Professional Clinic Only)

Ideal for:

Acne-prone skin

Pigmentation

Dull texture

Fine lines

Professional chemical peels should be performed by appropriately trained skincare professionals.

REFERENCES

Dermatology Textbooks

Bolognia, J., Schaffer, J., & Cerroni, L. Dermatology (4th ed.). Elsevier, 2018.– Covers physiology, skin types, barrier function, and treatment strategies.

Draelos, Z. D. Cosmetic Dermatology: Products and Procedures. Wiley-Blackwell, 2015.– Evidence-based guidance for moisturizers, actives, and skin-type-specific care.