A skincare routine that actually works: the 5 steps that matter

The most common thing we see at the pharmacy counter is someone holding eight products, using all of them badly, and wondering why their skin is irritated. A short routine you follow every day beats a long one you abandon in two weeks.

Morning

1. Cleanser. A gentle, soap-free wash. If your skin feels tight afterwards, the cleanser is too harsh.
2. Serum (optional). Vitamin C in the morning for brightness and antioxidant protection.
3. Moisturiser. Even oily skin needs one - skipping it often makes oiliness worse.
4. Sunscreen SPF 50+. Non-negotiable, every single day, including cloudy days and days spent indoors near windows.

Evening

1. Cleanser. Double cleanse if you wore make-up or sunscreen: an oil or micellar first, then your normal wash.
2. Treatment. This is where retinol, salicylic acid or niacinamide go - one active, not three.
3. Moisturiser. Slightly richer than your morning one if your skin is dry.

Three rules that save people money

• Introduce one new product at a time, and give it four weeks. Otherwise you will never know what worked or what caused a reaction.
• Do not mix strong actives. Retinol and acids on the same night is how most irritation starts.
• Consistency beats price. A modest routine used daily outperforms an expensive one used occasionally.

Tell our pharmacist your skin type and main concern and we will build the shortest routine that gets you there.