Skin Care Basics: How to Choose a Regimen for Your Skin Type

Your skin care regimen — the products you use to cleanse, condition, hydrate, and protect — is an important part of keeping your skin healthy. And what works for you may not work for someone else, and vice versa. When building your skin care regimen, understanding your skin type and specific concerns is key. 

Here’s what you need to know to create an effective regimen of products that is perfect for your skin type.

Choosing the basics

The foundation of any skin care regimen is cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin with sunscreen. From there, you can add active ingredients based on your skin type and specific concerns. 

Cleanser and moisturizer

The goal of a cleanser is to wash away dirt, impurities, products, and makeup. Out of all the products in your regimen, this is the one you can save on. There are plenty of affordable, effective cleansers that you can buy at the pharmacy and elsewhere.

Moisturizers hydrate, smooth, and improve skin’s barrier function. Since moisturizer is a leave-on product, it’s important to find one that works for your skin. 

The most important thing to consider when picking both your cleanser and moisturizer is how dry your skin is. And keep in mind that your skin’s dryness can change with your climate, age, hormone levels, and the other products you use. So you might have to make adjustments.

Sunscreen

Everyone needs to wear sunscreen, regardless of their skin color. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, with a sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher. When outdoors, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. You need about a tablespoon of sunscreen for your face and about a shot glass’ worth for your body.

If you have hyperpigmentation or spend a lot of time on your electronics, a tinted mineral sunscreen can protect you from damaging, high-energy visible light from screens.

Quiz: What is my skin type?

Match your skin care regimen to your skin type

To choose the right products, you’ll need to know what your skin type is, including any concerns you might have or conditions you might be prone to. And, if you’re unsure, it’s best to see a dermatologist. 

Below you’ll find examples of regimens that are tailored to specific conditions. The recommended products are only suggestions. There is an element of trial and error with any regimen. If a product burns, stings, or itches, that’s a sign that it might not be right for you. In that case, you can find an alternative product within the same category.

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Always listen to your skin and make adjustments when necessary. 

Acne-prone skin

What it looks like: 

Combination to oily skin type, prone to clogged pores and pimples 

What you should know: 

Stick to products that are non-comedogenic, meaning that they don’t clog pores. Ingredients that can help breakouts include: niacinamide, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinol. 

Be gentle with your skin: Avoid products that can add to irritation, like toners, astringents, and harsh scrubs. And, if your acne is cystic or scarring, it’s best to see a dermatologist as soon as possible. You’ll likely need oral medication to improve your breakouts.

Sample regimen:

• Morning:  

  • Benzoyl peroxide cleanser: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

  • Moisturizer with niacinamide: CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion or EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer

  • Sunscreen with niacinamide: EltaMD UV Clear

• Evening:

  • Gentle cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser or EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser 

  • Retinoid: Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% or La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1%

  • Moisturizer with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help with retinoid-caused dryness: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion or EltaMD PM Therapy Face Moisturizer

Rosacea-prone skin

What it looks like: 

Redness, irritation, broken blood vessels

What you should know: 

If your skin flushes, blushes and/or is easily irritated, you might have rosacea. Stick to a simple regimen with mild products. Cleanse gently. Don’t rub, scrub, or use tools to clean. And be strict with sun protection. 

Avoid irritating ingredients like alcohol, camphor, fragrance, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, sodium lauryl sulfate, and urea. Never apply astringents or toners. See a dermatologist if your rosacea is bumpy (papulopustular rosacea), you’re bothered by broken blood vessels, or you can’t find a regimen that works for your skin.

Sample regimen:

• Morning:  

  • Gentle cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser or EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser 

  • Moisturizer with niacinamide: CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion or EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer

  • Sunscreen with niacinamide: EltaMD UV Clear

• Evening:

  • Gentle cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser or EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser 

  • Moisturizer with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help with dryness: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion or EltaMD PM Therapy Face Moisturizer

Eczema-prone skin

What it looks like:

Itchy red bumps, weeping skin, and/or dry, flaky patches

What you should know:

Eczema is a common skin condition that you can be predisposed to or, in some cases, that can be caused by products you use on your skin. If you have eczema, stick to hypoallergenic products that are fragrance-free and dye-free. 

If you have eczema, your skin can flare when it dries out, so it’s best to keep your skin hydrated with a cream-based moisturizer. Sometimes, taking prescription medication is necessary to manage eczema. 

Sample regimen:

• Morning:  

  • Gentle hypoallergenic cleanser: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser or Dove Beauty Bar

  • Cream-based moisturizer: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer or Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream

  • Mineral sunscreen: Vanicream Sport Sunscreen or Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face

• Evening:

  • Gentle hypoallergenic cleanser: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser or Dove Beauty Bar

  • Cream-based moisturizer: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer or Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream

Hyperpigmentation-prone skin

What it looks like:

Dark spots or patches, uneven skin tone

What you should know:

Dark marks on the skin happen because of inflammation, sun damage, or melasma. If you suffer from hyperpigmentation, antioxidants, alpha hydroxy acids, and sunscreen are key. Blue light generated by electronic devices can worsen hyperpigmentation. Using a tinted mineral sunscreen that contains iron oxides protects your skin. 

When hyperpigmentation is severe or doesn’t respond to an over-the-counter regimen, prescription skin-lightening agents, lasers, and chemical peels can help.

Sample regimen:

• Morning:  

  • Gentle cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser or EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser 

  • Antioxidant: SkinBetter Science Alto Defense Serum (for a splurge) or Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Serum (a more affordable option)

  • Moisturizer: Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion

  • Tinted mineral sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen

• Evening:

  • Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) cleanser: NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash (for a splurge) or La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Brightening Deep Cleanser (for a more affordable option)

  • Moisturizer with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to soothe dryness caused by AHA wash: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Photoaging

What it looks like:

Fine lines, uneven skin tone, laxity 

What you should know:

The single best thing you can do to protect your skin from premature aging is sun protection. When outside, seek shade when possible and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every 2 hours. 

Antioxidants like vitamin C can help protect from and reverse sun damage. Hyaluronic acid increases skin’s moisture making it appear more supple. Peptides, which are the building blocks of collagen, and retinol, which boosts collagen production and improves fine lines, help with the appearance of photoaging.

Sample regimen:

• Morning:  

  • Gentle cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser or EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser 

  • Antioxidant: SkinBetter Science Alto Defense Serum or Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair

  • Mild moisturizer: EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer

  • Tinted mineral sunscreen: EltaMD UV Clear Tinted

• Evening:

  • Gentle cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser or EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser  

  • Hyaluronic acid serum: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum or Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

  • Retinol: SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream (for a splurge) or RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Night Serum Capsules (for a more affordable option)

  • Moisturizer with peptides: AlumierMD HydraDew (for a splurge) or Olay Collagen Peptide (for a more affordable option)

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Maryann Mikhail, MD

Maryann Mikhail, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and medical writer based in South Florida. She is the founder of Waverly DermSpa in Fort Lauderdale and holds a voluntary faculty position at the Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami MIller School of Medicine.

Edited by:

Kelsey Abkin

Kelsey Abkin has been working as a journalist since 2016. She has held many titles throughout her career, including editor, content strategist, digital strategist, and writer.

Reviewed by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

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