Let’s be real—figuring out skincare shouldn’t feel like a never-ending puzzle. If you’ve ever stood in the beauty aisle, aggressively Googling “why is my skin suddenly betraying me,” welcome to the club.

There are two types of people in this world: the ones with 17-step skincare routines who treat their bathroom like a lab, and the ones who use a single bar of Dial soap for their face, body, dishes, and probably their car—and somehow have better skin than me. I, unfortunately, fall somewhere in between. I’ve spent more money than I care to admit on serums, tried every “this will change your skin” trend, and still found myself standing in front of my mirror at 11 PM, patting in a serum that cost more than my electricity bill, hoping for a miracle.

I’ve finally cracked the code. This is the skincare routine that actually works, and if you want clear, glowing skin without unnecessary drama, keep reading.

Step 1: Your cleanser shouldn’t be an exfoliant in disguise

That squeaky-clean feeling after washing your face? Not a win. That’s your skin begging for mercy. If your cleanser leaves your face feeling tight, dry, or on the verge of peeling like a bad sunburn, it’s stripping your moisture barrier—and babe, we need that barrier to stay intact.

Your cleanser should be removing dirt, oil, sunscreen, and makeup without turning your face into the Sahara. If your skin is bouncing between oily one minute and flaking the next, your cleanser is probably the problem. The fix? Something gentle, non-stripping, and actually working with your skin instead of against it. Tatcha The Rice Wash is a solid pick—it gets the job done without sending your skin into survival mode.

Step 2: Pick One Serum and Stop Playing Skincare Roulette

I get it. Serums are where the magic happens. But layering five different ones every night like you’re crafting a skincare potion isn’t doing you any favors. Instead of overwhelming your face, pick one active ingredient that actually addresses your main issue and let it do its job.

If your skin looks dull, uneven, or just plain exhausted, vitamin C is your glow-up in a bottle. Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum brightens without making your face feel like it’s been dunked in citrus acid. If your skin always feels dry no matter how much moisturizer you use, hyaluronic acid will hydrate it—just apply it on damp skin, or it’ll actually do the opposite (yes, it’s picky like that).

And if you’re breaking out just to be difficult, niacinamide is the calming force your skin needs. But here’s the rule: no more than one strong active at a time. Piling them on won’t speed up results—it’ll just stress out your skin and leave you wondering why it’s mad at you.

Step 3: Babe, moisturizer is non-negotiable

Skipping moisturizer because you’re “too oily” is exactly how you end up with a face that’s both shiny and flaky at the same time. Your skin needs hydration to stay balanced. When you don’t moisturize, it panics and produces even more oil to make up for it. So now you’re not just oily—you’re oily and dehydrated. It’s giving self-sabotage.

The fix? Using the right moisturizer. If your skin is dry and drinks up product like a bottomless mimosa, something like Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream will keep it soft without making you feel like you just dipped your face in butter. If you’re oily and prone to breakouts, Summer Fridays Cloud Dew is lightweight, won’t clog pores, and won’t make you look like you just left hot yoga. Either way, moisturizer is what locks everything in and stops your skin from spiraling. Please use it.

Step 4: Sunscreen—Because There’s No Point in Doing Any of This Without It

You can spend all the money in the world on fancy serums, but if you’re not wearing sunscreen, you’re literally throwing your skincare in the trash. UV rays don’t care how much you spent on your brightening serum—they will age you anyway.

Sun damage is the number one cause of premature aging, dark spots, and collagen breakdown. And no, just because you don’t burn doesn’t mean your skin isn’t taking damage. If sunscreen feels greasy, sticky, or makes you look like a ghost, you’re using the wrong one. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is lightweight, hydrating, and disappears into your skin without reminding you it’s there.

Yes, you need to wear it every day. Yes, even if you’re inside. No, SPF in your makeup is not enough.

Step 5: The Only Skincare Routine That Actually Works

If you’re overcomplicating your skincare routine and wondering why your skin isn’t improving, here’s the fix:

• A cleanser that removes dirt and oil without traumatizing your moisture barrier.
• A serum that actually does something instead of overwhelming your skin with too much at once.
• A moisturizer to keep your skin balanced so it doesn’t overreact and make things worse.
• Sunscreen, every single morning, because your future self deserves it.

That’s it. No 10-step routine, no extra fluff—just what actually works.

Final Thoughts: Less Is More, Consistency Wins Every Time

If you’ve been switching products constantly, chasing every viral trend, and wondering why your skin isn’t glowing, here’s the truth: your skin doesn’t need more, it needs consistency. Skincare isn’t about having the most products—it’s about using the right ones and actually giving them time to work. Stick to a simple, effective routine, stay consistent, and your skin will start behaving. And if you know someone who desperately needs to stop overcomplicating their skincare, send them this post. Their skin will thank you.

 Your Espresso to Glow Pep Talk: Your skin doesn’t need to be perfect; it just needs love (and a little sunscreen). Stick to the routine, drink some water, and remember: glowing skin is less about what you buy and more about how you show up. Now go wash your face—you’ve got this.