Asian woman doing skincare routine

If you worship at the altar of “less is more,” you’re in luck! Skincare routines are going back to basics — whatever that may mean to you. To some people, skinimalism, which is simplifying your routine and embracing your skin’s texture, is the way to go. To others, it’s cutting down their regimen to seven. It all depends on your skin’s needs and what makes you feel good. Here’s a three-step basic skincare routine that can serve as the foundation for your revamped regimen.

Cleanse Your Face

An article in Harvard Health states that the most effective and reliable regimen is also the quickest, perhaps because it’s than one with a gazillion skincare products. So, if you’re going to cut down your routine to three steps, make every single one count.

Cleansing is one of the pillars of good skin. Of course, not all skin problems are the result of poor hygiene, some are genetic and driven by skin type. However, proper cleansing can still help improve your skin’s condition, whether your skin is dry, oily, or a .

If you're a fan of POND's, skincare steps become more streamlined with dual-acting products. Use a cleanser that’s packed with nutrients and vitamins, so you get more skincare from the first step alone.

Try a gel cleanser such as POND's Healthy Hydration Orange Nectar Hydrating Jelly Cleanser. Formulated for dull and dry skin, this has 100% natural origin orange nectar extract and Vitamin C. Both ingredients brighten, hydrate, and give skin a healthy glow. It’s also alcohol-free, so it won’t dry or irritate sensitive skin. And because it’s jelly, even those with oily skin will enjoy this easy-to-rinse, non-greasy formula.

Address Your Skin’s Needs

Since we’re trimming it down to the essentials, you can jump straight to treating your skin issues after cleansing. The trick is to use multitasking products that can double as toner or moisturizer, so you’re still getting all the benefits of . This can also benefit those that deal with more than one issue at a time (let’s be honest, that’s most of us). 

For skin that needs intense hydration, use POND's Healthy Hydration Orange Nectar Hydrating Jelly Moisturizer, an oil-free gel moisturizer that’s suitable for all skin types. It reduces the appearance of pores and gives your skin that glass skin effect with Vitamin C and orange nectar. Because of this, it’s also a great product to prep your skin with before applying makeup.

Protect Your Skin with SPF

, even in a basic skincare routine. It protects your skin from harmful UV rays. It also helps your skin recover from existing issues and allows your skincare products to work their magic. Sun exposure causes sun damage, which can cause acne, dry skin, hyperpigmentation, and other skin problems to worsen. It can also set your skin back and undo any improvements it has made.

Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply a generous amount on your entire face and reapply after sun exposure.

Shifting to a basic skincare routine? Streamline your regimen by focusing on your skin’s needs and using multitasking products. You can customize the routine above to suit your skin type by using treatments that address your skin concerns, and even adding another step that makes you feel good.