Experts say that the best skin care routine isn’t always the one with the most steps, the most popular brands, the most viral products, or the most TikTok fame. Whitney Hovenic, a double board-certified dermatologist and surgeon, says that the best one is the one you can stick with every day.
Dr. Hovenic sees the same mistake over and over again in her practice: patients who have skin care routines that are too hard for them to stick to. She believes that a simple routine that includes cleaning, moisturizing, and SPF is all you need to keep your skin healthy and develop habits that last.
She told Real Simple about the three-step morning and evening routines she suggests to her patients. These routines use inexpensive, well-known drugstore brands like CeraVe, Neutrogena, La Roche-Posay, and others. They start at just $6, which is even better.
Use a gentle cleanser to wash
The oil that built up overnight without hurting your skin. Dr. Hovenic says to start with a formula that doesn’t have any fragrances or sulfates. She recommends the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for this step. It doesn’t foam up and is full of ceramides, which help boost the skin’s natural defenses. “For Real Simple readers who like simple solutions, this cleanser works without stripping or irritating the skin, and it won’t break the bank.”
Put on a light moisturizer
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream Amazon says it’s $22. Dr. Hovenic says that a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with a lot of hyaluronic acid is the best way to keep moisture in without making your skin feel heavy. She says, “Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream is a great choice because it is light, deeply hydrates, and goes on easily under makeup or sunscreen.” “It’s great for people who want a moisturizer they can use every day that doesn’t require extra steps or expensive formulas.”
If you ask a dermatologist, they’ll tell you: Every day, you need to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays that can cause sunburn, dark spots, visible aging, and even skin cancer. Dr. Hovenic is a big fan of mineral sunscreens that melt into skin easily and don’t block pores for this last morning step.
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Spooge Dew Me Mineral All Screen is her favorite for her patients.
“This mineral-based formula, which has hyaluronic acid and niacinamide added to it, blends in perfectly and gives the skin a subtle glow and light coverage to even out skin tone,” she says. “It’s safe for acne-prone skin, lightweight, and protective. Plus, it’s easy to stick to a daily sunscreen routine, and it’s affordable.”
For the Evening: Gently Take Off Your Makeup with Garnier Micellar Water. It costs $12 on Amazon and $6 on Amazon. Make sure to wash off all the dirt, oil, SPF, and makeup before bed so you can start each day fresh. Dr. Hovenic suggests micellar water for a gentle, thorough clean that doesn’t require harsh scrubbing. She says, “Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water is gentle, quick, and takes off makeup and SPF in one step.” “It’s great for busy evenings, so anyone who wants a simple, low-stress routine can clean well without having to do anything extra.”
Next, use a cleanser that hydrates.
Gentle, hydrating face wash from La Roche-Posay Toleriane Amazon says it’s $20. A cleanser with a lot of moisture will help your skin’s natural defenses while you sleep. Look for glycerin and ceramides in your products if you want them to keep your skin hydrated for a long time. Dr. Hovenic says, “At night, I often suggest La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser because it’s creamy and calming, a great way to keep skin balanced after a long day, and it’s safe for people with combination skin or acne.”
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Finish with a moisturizer that repairs the skin’s barrier. CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, Night Cream with Hyaluronic, costs $20 on Amazon and $15 on Amazon. Finish off your night with a moisturizing cream that will help your skin stay strong through the changing seasons and restore it overnight. Dr. Hovenic recommends this ultra-lightweight cream from the well-known drugstore brand CeraVe as a “affordable and effective” option. She says, “CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion can do a lot of things.” “It adds moisture back to the skin, makes the barrier stronger, and has niacinamide in it to calm redness.”
