Our Foolproof Skin Care Routine for All Skin Types

Putting together a skin care routine can be challenging. There are so many different types of products you could use—but which ones deserve a spot in your daily regimen? Not to mention, determining your skin type can be a challenge all on its own. Wouldn’t it be so much simpler if there were skin care products that could work for everyone? Well, guess what. There are! Finding a foolproof skin care routine doesn’t necessarily mean having to sort through what seems like endless amounts of products formulated for different skin types. When it comes to your complexion, you don’t have to get fancy if you don’t want to—there are just a few skin care essentials you’ll need. Keep reading for an easy skin care routine that works for everyone, along with product recommendations from L’Oréal Paris that are suitable for all skin types.

STEP 1: CLEANSE YOUR COMPLEXION

Just about every skin care routine should start the same way—with a facial cleanser. This is one step that should be non-negotiable in your routine. In the morning, reach for a no-rinse cleansing option, like a micellar water, to start your day on the right foot. The ultra-gentle L'Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types effectively remove all traces of makeup (even waterproof mascara and long-wear formulas) without drying out skin. All you have to do is wipe your face and eye area with a towelette—no rinsing required.

STEP 2: CLEANSE, AGAIN

Sometimes, you may find it useful to cleanse a second time, such as if you wake up with extra oily skin or feel a break out coming on. When you feel like you need a little extra cleansing, step up to the sink and use a gentle rinse-off cleanser formulated for all skin types. We love double cleansing with a facial cleanser that’s formulated with clay, like the L'Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Cleanser, which lifts dirt and impurities without drying out skin. To use, wet your face and hands with lukewarm water. Work a small amount of gel into a foamy lather and massage onto your face with a gentle, circular motion.

STEP 3: USE A FACIAL SERUM

Treat yourself to a spa-like experience at home by applying a facial serum to your complexion after cleansing. Don’t be intimidated by the word serum either—while it’s true that there are many different types of serums (with a wide variety of active ingredients), if you’re going to pick just one to use in your routine, you can’t go wrong with a hyaluronic acid serum. The L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a super hydrating serum for all skin types. Instantly, skin will feel hydrated and look clearer, while skin will feel more balanced with continued use over time. And yes, it’s even suitable for oily and combination skin types!

STEP 4: HYDRATE YOUR COMPLEXION WITH MOISTURIZER

Just like cleansing, moisturizing should be a non-negotiable step in your skin care routine—regardless of your skin type. Looking for one that’s suitable for anyone? Try the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra Nutrition Manuka Honey Day Cream. It’s formulated with nurturing manuka honey, which will leave skin feeling soft and silky—not greasy or sticky! To use, smooth it gently onto your face and neck, alone or under makeup, after your serum.

STEP 5: NOURISH YOUR EYE AREA

You shower your face with a whole lot of attention—but what about your eye area? You shouldn’t neglect it! Oftentimes, the delicate skin surrounding your eyes can be one of the first areas to show visible signs of aging. To combat those effects, reach for an eye cream, like the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra Nutrition Manuka Honey Eye Gel. Not only will it help keep your delicate eye area hydrated and nourished, but its cooling formula is applied via rollerball, which can also help to diminish the appearance of any puffiness.  Apply it in small dots around your eye area, massaging your skin with the wand until the product is fully absorbed.

STEP 6: WEAR A BROAD-SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN—AND TAKE OTHER SUN PROTECTION MEASURES—DAILY

If you plan to step foot outdoors during the day, this one’s for you (so basically, this one’s for all of us). Come rain or shine, cold or cloudy, you should apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily and reapply at least every two hours (or immediately after swimming or sweating).

Of course, applying and reapplying sunscreen isn’t the only sun protection measure you should take. According to the Food and Drug Administration, you should also limit your amount of time in the sun (especially during the sun’s peak hours from 10 AM to 2 PM), seek shade, and cover up exposed areas in long sleeves, pants, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

STEP 7: MULTI-MASK A FEW TIMES A WEEK

Why limit yourself to using one face mask when you could use a few? Multi-masking is a popular skin care trend that involves using multiple masks on different areas of your face at the same time. Here are four face mask options from L’Oréal Paris, all of which are formulated with three types of clay (kaolin, montmorillonite, and Moroccan lava) and are suitable for all skin types. Mix and match to find your perfect multi-masking routine.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clean & Comfort Mask: Over time, harsh cleansing can be drying and sensitizing, leaving skin feeling uncomfortable. As a result, skin needs cleaning that is effective yet gentle. This clay mask formula is enhanced with seaweed and can help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils and gently cleanse stressed areas.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Mask: Over time, harsh environmental factors like pollution and debris can damage skin, leaving your complexion looking dull and tired. This clay mask formula is enhanced with charcoal and can help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and pollution and reduce the look of dull skin.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refining Mask: Day after day, dead skin cells can accumulate on the surface of your skin, leaving your complexion feeling rough. This clay mask formula is enhanced with red algae extract and can help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils, exfoliate dead skin cells, smooth the look of imperfections, and allow skin to breathe.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Purify & Mattify Mask: Day after day, impurities, dirt, makeup, and excess oils can build up on the skin, leaving your complexion looking overly oily. This clay mask formula is enhanced with eucalyptus leaf extract and can help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils and reduce the look of excess shine.

Each mask should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinsed off with lukewarm water. You should use your mask(s) of choice three times a week for best results.

STEP 8: EXFOLIATE (JUST ENOUGH)

How often you should exfoliate depends—while some people can handle daily exfoliation, others may only be able to do so once or twice a week. Pay attention to how your skin responds to determine what works best for you. Once you figure that out, reach for an exfoliating scrub and add it to your weekly beauty routine. Try a face scrub from the L'Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar collection; each of the following options is formulated with three pure clays and are gentle on skin while also helping to slough away dead skin cells, dirt, and debris.

L'Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub: If your skin tends to feel tired or fatigued, this face scrub is for you. Formulated with real Kona coffee grounds, it helps to energize skin while also smoothing its surface.

L'Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Cocoa Scrub: This face scrub, which is formulated with cocoa butter and coconut oil, provides deep yet gentle exfoliation for soft, supple skin.

L'Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Grapeseed Scrub: If dullness is a skin concern for you, reach for this scrub option, which pairs finely ground Acai with monoi and grapeseed oils and leaves your skin with a gorgeous glow.

L'Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Kiwi Scrub: Formulated with real kiwi seeds, this scrub will polish away dead skin cells without any harshness or irritation.

Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to take your skin care game to the next level and make sure you’re in the know about the 4 Unexpected Causes of Breakouts.