Are you confused by the world of skincare? You’re not alone. While celebrities and influencers swear by elaborate 20-step routines for their “glass skin,” the reality is much simpler: about 80% of results come from just three key products.

Just like the Pareto Principle states that 20% of efforts yield 80% of results, skincare follows the same rule. But before diving into products, there are three fundamental practices you need to establish.

Before You Start: The Foundation

1. Clean Up Your Diet

Despite what some dermatologists might say, food absolutely impacts your skin. Cutting out processed foods, sugars, and seed oils can dramatically improve your skin’s appearance. As a bonus, you’ll likely get more defined and fit in the process, while improving your gut health.

2. Prioritize Sleep

Lack of sleep increases cortisol (the stress hormone), which triggers inflammation and excess oil production. This leads to clogged pores and acne. Aim for 7-8 hours of consistent sleep every night and find effective ways to reduce stress—whether through exercise, sauna sessions, meditation, or yoga.

3. Basic Hygiene Matters

Wash your bed sheets and towels weekly with hot water. These items collect oil and dead skin cells over time, which can cause breakouts. Also, clean anything that touches your face regularly, including your phone (which typically carries more bacteria than a toilet seat!).

The Essential 3-Step Skincare Routine

Step 1: Cleanse (Morning & Night)

The first step is finding the right cleanser for your skin type. Here’s how to determine yours:

• Wash your face with water only and wait an hour
• Look at your face in good lighting
• Shiny face = oily skin
• Dry and flaky = dry skin
• Dry cheeks with shiny T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) = combination skin

For oily skin: Choose a foaming cleanser with salicylic acid or niacinamide.
For dry skin: Use a non-foaming cleanser with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, or aloe vera.
For combination skin: A gentle cleanser works well.
Natural option: Simply use water and the same washing motion.

To cleanse properly, wet your face with lukewarm water, use a quarter-sized amount of product, and massage for 30-60 seconds.

Recommended Product: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser – Perfect for dry skin with its combination of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin. This gentle, non-foaming cleanser helps maintain your skin’s natural barrier while effectively removing dirt and excess oil.

Step 2: Moisturize (Morning & Night)

Apply a nickel-sized amount to your fingertip, dot onto your forehead and cheeks, then massage into your face.

For oily skin: Look for moisturizers with salicylic acid, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, or retinol (use retinol products at night only).
For dry skin: Choose products with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, shea butter, or aloe vera.
For combination skin: Look for lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, or ceramides.
Natural option: Pure aloe vera or beef tallow, which contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, and won’t clog pores.

Recommended Product: Cetaphil Face & Body Moisturizer – An excellent hydrating cream for dry to very dry skin. This fragrance-free, non-comedogenic formula won’t clog pores and provides long-lasting hydration without feeling greasy.

Step 3: Sunscreen (Morning Only)

Choose a mineral sunscreen rather than chemical varieties with potentially harmful ingredients. Apply a quarter-sized amount in the morning. You may experience a slight white cast (or choose a tinted version for darker skin tones).

Sunscreen prevents premature aging, sagging, and dark spots.

Optional Additions

While the three-step routine above will get you most of the way there, you might consider these extras:

Chemical exfoliants: These contain ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, or retinol that remove dead skin cells without physical scrubbing. Always test on a small patch of skin first and follow package instructions.

Hydrating serums: For extra hydration, look for serums with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, or niacinamide. Apply 2-3 drops after cleansing but before moisturizing. Pat gently rather than rubbing, and don’t forget to bring it down to your neck (a good practice for all skincare products).

Recommended Product: Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum – A powerful brightening serum that combines vitamin C with hyaluronic acid, ferulic acid, and vitamin E. This combination helps reduce the appearance of dark spots while providing additional hydration and antioxidant protection.

Final Thoughts

This simplified approach to skincare will deliver excellent results without the confusion or expense of complex routines. Remember that consistency matters more than complexity, and addressing lifestyle factors will amplify your results significantly.

Always do your research before trying new products, and pay attention to how your skin responds. What works for others might not work for you, so be willing to adjust your routine as needed.