Skincare trends come and go. These five basics do not, and getting them right does more than any new product.
1. Cleanse gently
Wash morning and night with a mild cleanser that leaves your skin comfortable, not tight. Over-washing and harsh soaps strip the skin barrier and can trigger more oil, redness and breakouts. If you wear heavy make-up or water-resistant sunscreen, a gentle oil or micellar cleanser first can help. See foaming vs gel face wash.
2. Moisturise
Every skin type benefits from a moisturiser, including oily skin, which needs a lighter, non-comedogenic gel or lotion. Look for glycerin, ceramides or hyaluronic acid. A healthy barrier makes skin calmer and better able to tolerate active ingredients. Our own Moisturising Cream is one option for dry to normal skin; any moisturiser with these ingredients does the job.
3. Wear sunscreen every day
Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+, applied generously and reapplied outdoors, prevents tanning, dark spots, melasma flares and early ageing. In India’s strong sun, this one habit matters most. Tinted sunscreens with iron oxides add protection against visible light for pigment-prone skin. More in our guide to choosing a sunscreen.
4. Choose one active, for one concern
Pick the ingredient that matches your main concern, rather than layering many:
- Acne and blackheads: salicylic acid, adapalene or benzoyl peroxide.
- Dark spots and uneven tone: azelaic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C.
- Fine lines and texture: a retinoid at night.
- Dullness: a gentle exfoliating acid once or twice a week.
Introduce one new product at a time, so you know what helps and what irritates.
5. Be patient and consistent
Skin changes slowly. Use a routine for at least two to three months before judging it, and keep it simple enough to stick to.
When to see a dermatologist
If acne leaves marks, pigmentation keeps returning, or your skin stays red, itchy or sensitive despite a gentle routine, a dermatologist can find the cause and prescribe treatments that work faster than over-the-counter products. Start with what bothers you on our skin concerns page.
