How to Build a Skincare Routine for Different Skin Types

A skin without breaks in its surface, enough hydration, normal sensations, even tone, and smoothness reflects good general health and well-being. It is a sign that one’s skin is taken good care of with a consistent, tailored skincare routine, proper nutrition and hydration, as well as healthy lifestyle choices. Skin with inherent glow quality makes one feel confident.

To ensure the right skincare, choosing products and therapies best-suited to a specific skin type is important. Knowing the skin type is the first step to making the skincare routine work optimally. This skin care guide for different skin types by Best Skin Doctor in Delhi at Delhi Wellness Clinic shares how people with different skin types should be structuring their skincare routine and go for dermatologist assistance to best upgrade their skin appearance, feel, and functioning.

How to Build a Skincare Routine- Skincare Routine for Different Skin Types

Every skincare regime involves core steps: cleansing, moisturising, and UV protection, and optional additions- toning, serum application, and special lip/hand/eye treatment. A simple skincare routine will have only the core steps, while a more holistic approach will include weekly exfoliation and targeted therapies.

Coming up next are both morning and nighttime skincare steps for each skin type, along with the type of products to choose to improve each skin type.

Skincare for Oily Skin

Oily skin is acne-prone. The excess of natural oils/sebum produced by sebaceous glands can easily clog the pores along with impurities, dead skin cells, and sometimes bacteria. With a well-structured skincare routine, it is possible to keep skin in balance, shiny, strong, calm, and clear.

A morning skin care routine should include:

1. Cleansing- Use a gel-based or foaming cleanser with salicylic acid or tea tree oil to get rid of extra oil and impurities from the skin without drying it.
2. Toning- Balance the skin’s natural oil with a pore-refining/balancing toner like a witch hazel or green tea toner with niacinamide to brighten skin.
3. Moisturising- Use an oil-free, non-comedogenic, lightweight, gel-based moisturiser with hyaluronic acid or aloe vera.
4. Sunscreen application- Use a non-comedogenic, matte-finish, broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

An evening skin care routine should include:

1. Cleansing- Do it the same as in the morning. If wearing make-up, use a mineral-based cleanser.
2. Serum application- Two to three days a week, apply an alpha or beta hydroxy acid-based, lightweight serum to exfoliate skin and keep sebum in control.  
3. Moisturising- Do the same as done in the morning.

An Add-On: Clay masks can be used once a week to keep the skin clean and balanced.

Skincare for Dry Skin

Dry skin craves hydration, nourishment, and barrier protection. With a well-structured skincare routine, it is possible to quench the skin’s thirst, keep it well-nourished, and radiant.

A morning skin care routine should include:

1. Cleansing- Use a creamy/milk-based or hydrating cleanser with ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid.
2. Toning- Use a rose water, hyaluronic acid, or aloe vera-based toner.
3. Moisturising- Use a rich moisturising cream with ceramides, shea butter, or squalane.
4. Sunscreen application- Use a hydrating, broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

An evening skin care routine should include:

1. Cleansing- Do it the same as in the morning.
2. Serum application- Use a skin hydrating and brightening serum containing Vitamin C or niacinamide
3. Night cream or sleeping mask- Use a thick, skin-repair cream before going to bed.

An Add On: Avoid aggressive exfoliation; instead, go for mild peeling once or twice a week.

Skincare for Combination Skin

Combination skin is where the T-zone of the face (forehead, nose, and chin) is oily while the cheeks and jawline are dry, at the same time. With a well-structured skincare routine, it is possible to harmonise the face.

A morning skin care routine should include:

1. Cleansing- Use a foam or gel-based, skin oil and pH-balancing cleanser with ingredients like aloe vera or green tea.
2. Toning- Refresh and evenly tone skin with a rose water or niacinamide-based toner.
3. Moisturising- Use a light moisturising cream or gel with ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
4. Sunscreen application- Use a gel-based, non-greasy, broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

An evening skin care routine should include:

1. Cleansing- Do it the same as in the morning.
2. Serum application- Use a lightweight, skin-hydrating and brightening serum containing Vitamin C or niacinamide. Alternate it with the use of gentle exfoliants containing lactic acid.
3. Moisturising- Apply a medium-weight moisturiser, serum, or gel to hydrate and balance the dry and oily skin.

An Add On: Use multiple masks, a clay mask on the T-zone and a hydrating mask on the cheeks and jawline, once or twice a week.

Skincare for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin can easily be triggered and develop redness, irritation, and burns. To care for it, one needs mild and skin-calming/soothing ingredients and no scrubs and strong acids. Patch testing is very important before using any new product.

A morning skin care routine should include:

1. Cleansing- Use a fragrance-free, mild, hypoallergenic cleanser with ingredients like oats or chamomile.
2. Toning- Refresh and evenly tone skin with a rose water, oats, or aloe vera-based toner. If skin stings, leave this step.
3. Moisturising- Use a barrier-repair moisturiser cream with ceramides, shea butter, and panthenol.
4. Sunscreen application- Use a mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

An evening skin care routine should include:

1. Cleansing- Do it the same as in the morning.
2. Serum application- Use a skin-soothing, mild hydrating serum containing niacinamide or centella. Alternate it with the use of gentle exfoliants containing lactic acid.
3. Barrier repair cream application- Apply a non-scented skin repair cream.

FAQs on Skin Care Routine

How do I know my skin type?

Observe skin after 30 minutes of cleansing. If it is too tight, it is most probably dry, and if shiny after some time, it's likely oily. A mix of both is a combination, while subtle changes indicate normal. Sensitive skin is the one that is very reactive and easily becomes red or burns. A dermatologist can only help confirm the skin type.

Why is it important to have my skincare routine suited to my skin type?

Each type of skin has varied concerns/needs. So, having a tailored daily and weekly skincare regime will ensure that the skin is getting what it deserves to look, function, and feel its best.

Which is the best skincare routine?

A skincare routine that is curated by a dermatologist as per the patient's needs/concerns is the best.

What should be my daily skincare steps?

One should go for cleansing and moisturising both morning and night, sunscreen application every morning, and also skin balancing and barrier strengthening with toner and serums, suitable to the skin type.

Can I self-plan my glowing skin routine?

No. Go for a dermatologist-guided skincare routine as it will be safer and more effective to have long-term, healthy, glowing, vibrant skin.

Call To Action: Book Your First Appointment

Receive a customised skincare regimen, personalised skincare tips, and the best skin care guide with our dermatologist at Delhi Wellness Clinic, the Best Skin Clinic in Delhi. The dermatologist at the clinic does clinical skin assessment with modern, tailored, affordable dermatological care, to deliver the best results to its patients. Visit today.