The short answer: A good daily routine is simple: a gentle cleanser that does not strip, an exfoliant used only a few times a week, and a moisturizer matched to your skin type. Your skin should feel soft and comfortable after cleansing, never tight.
Cleansing and moisturizing get overlooked because they feel basic. But the first and last steps of your routine decide how well everything in between works. Here is how I think about the daily basics, drawn from what I have shared with editors this year.
What is the best cleanser for aging or dry skin?
As skin gets thinner, drier, and more reactive with age, harsh detergents can leave it feeling stripped. Look for a cleanser built around hydration and barrier support. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid or squalane can hydrate dry skin and support elasticity, a point I made for Allure.
A foaming cleanser can still suit aging skin, as long as it is formulated not to strip. As I told Glamour, the test is how your skin feels afterward.
Dr. Collins' tip: If your skin feels soft and comfortable after cleansing, rather than tight, that is a key sign your barrier is being supported, not stripped.
How do you use a cleansing oil the right way?
Technique matters as much as the formula. Here is the method I shared with Byrdie:
- Start with dry hands and a dry face.
- Massage one to two pumps of oil into your skin for 30 to 60 seconds to break down makeup, sunscreen, and buildup.
- Add a little warm water to emulsify.
- Rinse thoroughly.
Packaging matters too. Airtight pumps help protect botanical oils from oxidation over time. I also contributed to Marie Claire's look at K-beauty cleansing oils, a step many people now treat as essential.
How often should you use exfoliating toner pads?
Less often than you might think. For Glamour, I recommended limiting exfoliating pads with acids to two or three times a week, especially for sensitive skin, to avoid over-exfoliation.
If your pads have two textures, use the textured side first on oilier or congested areas like the nose and forehead. Then flip to the smoother side for the cheeks and more sensitive areas.
Gel or cream moisturizer: which do you need?
Gel moisturizers are especially helpful for oily, breakout-prone, and combination skin, because they hydrate without leaving a greasy residue. They also make sense in humid climates like ours in Austin, where heavier creams can feel occlusive.
But as I told Allure, gels may not lock in hydration as well as richer creams. If your skin is very dry, eczema-prone, mature, or dehydrated, reach for a cream instead.
Hyaluronic acid serums are a helpful layer for dry skin under either texture. I shared picks for Marie Claire's hyaluronic acid serum guide.
Our foy Day Moisturizer is the daily glow step in our routine, applied to the face each morning before sunscreen.
Do you need a new routine every season?
Usually not. A few year-round staples do most of the work: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer you like, and daily sunscreen. Small adjustments, like a richer cream when the air gets dry, are usually enough. I shared my year-round staples with Real Simple.
As featured in
- Allure: 10 Best Cleansers for Mature Skin to Hydrate and Soothe at Every Age
- Glamour: 6 Best Facial Cleansers for Aging Skin, According to Dermatologists
- Byrdie: The Best Cleansing Oils for Soft, Truly Clean Skin
- Marie Claire: K-Beauty Cleansing Oils Are the Most Critical Step In My Glow-Boosting Skincare Routine
- Glamour: 10 Best Toner Pads Tested for Glowy Skin 2026
- Allure: 7 Best Gel Moisturizers to Get Grease-Free Hydration
- Marie Claire: The 9 Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums
- Real Simple: You Don't Need All New Fall Skin Care, Just These 9 Year-Round Staples
Frequently asked questions
Should I cleanse twice a day?
Most people do well with a gentle cleanse at night to remove sunscreen and makeup. In the morning, a rinse or a light cleanse is often enough, especially for dry skin.
Can I exfoliate every day?
For most people, no. Acid-based exfoliants two to three times a week is a safer range, and sensitive skin may need less.
Is oil cleansing okay for acne-prone skin?
It can be, as long as you emulsify and rinse thoroughly. If you notice new breakouts, switch to a gentle gel cleanser.
Dr. Kristina Collins, MD, FAAD, is a Harvard-trained, double board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, and the founder of foy. This article is for education and is not a substitute for advice from your own doctor.