This Is The Bare Minimum Skincare Routine You Need That Will Still Give Results

With beauty aisles bursting with the skincare products that promise miracles comes the responsibility of using them consistently to see results. It's exciting to buy them, but using them all can be time-consuming, and only a few can devote that time to a multiple-step skincare routine. The 10-step Korean beauty skincare routine sounds lovely for flawless skin, but it involves so many steps, and have you ever wondered if you even need them all? Plus, it's a waste of money if you don't use them consistently as they all have an expiration date.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Christine Choi Kim told The Everygirl, "You don't have to have a complicated, multi-step routine that is difficult to follow consistently." People have a lot going on in life, so it's better to "keep your skincare routine simple yet effective" by consulting a dermatologist to come up with a routine that you can follow constantly. It doesn't make sense to give in to the temptation and buy the next trendy ingredient based on social media as it might not even deliver what it promises; plus, it's not great for your wallet. How often have you used the jade roller that you saw your favorite influencer use? We think more is better, but that's not always true.

When it comes to a bare minimum skincare, Emily Newsom, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, told Self, "I like to keep things pretty simple." And, it looks like you only need three skincare products to get results.

Using just three products for beautiful skin might seem too little for skincare enthusiasts but could be a dream skincare routine for minimalists. Of course, if you have other skin issues, you'll require more products to treat the skin condition. To maintain healthy skin, the three skincare products you need are "a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen," per Self. A cleanser will clean your face, protect it from infections, and sets the base for your skincare products to penetrate your skin better.

Next is moisturizer. You should moisturize twice a day as it helps strengthen your skin barrier and keeps your skin soft. Alex Serron, skin therapist at Heyday, told Real Simple, that moisturizing both in the morning and at night "makes sure you're cleaning your skin, aiding in moving along your skin cells' life cycle for healthier skin, hydrating, and, most importantly, protecting it." 

Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Christine Choi Kim's advice is to wear "a chemical-free, mineral sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher" every day, per The Everygirl. Sunscreen protects you from sun damage, signs of aging, and skin cancer. It is "the best anti-aging product money can buy," skin therapist Alex Serron told Real Simple. There you have it; we've just simplified the complicated world of skincare for you with three simple products.

You should be good to go as long as you use a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen to take care of your skin, but if you want a little extra, we're here to help. You don't need to do them every day, but a added step in your self-care routine sometimes isn't a bad idea either.

A gentle cleanser might not do the best job removing dead skin and leftover grime on your face, so exfoliating your skin a couple of times a week can get rid of any buildup of dead skin and residue (via Real Simple). Board-certified dermatologist Shereene Idriss recommends "exfoliating a few times a week with a chemical exfoliant as it speeds up the removal of superficial dead skin cells, allowing the active ingredients in your skincare products to penetrate better." And, who doesn't want brighter, softer skin?

If a skin issue is bothering you, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Christine Choi Kim told The Everygirl, "Choose one product that can give you multiple benefits simultaneously and can be used both morning and night." You can use a serum that's made to treat specific skin issues like fine lines, acne, or hyperpigmentation, as most of them also hydrate your skin. For healthy, beautiful skin, you don't need to use every single product that's trending or super popular. If a product isn't helping or you have a severe skin condition, consult a dermatologist.