Basic Routine Recommendation

Some of the recommended products.

Today I started to think what I would recommend for someone as a basic routine. Obviously choosing only products that I have tried and what suits me and what I could imagine others liking too! I also like a lot of "weird" products (e.g. The Ordinary Pycnogenol 5%, De La Cruz 10% Sulfur etc)  but I wouldn't recommend them first to someone who has no basic skincare routine down just yet.

I know a lot of people who don't do skincare or do the bare minimum (aka random face wash from sale and moisturizer if they can find one at the moment - e.g. my friend just slapped on whatever hand/body cream the hotel offered when we were travelling!). I am not judging and I would 100% do the same if I could!!! Sadly I have always been acne prone and it has lead me to the rabbit hole of skincare. 

These products I find very basic but effective. However everyone's skin is different. This is a list of things I would buy for my mom, sister, friend... if they wanted to start a basic routine and they do not have any big skin concerns (severe acne, severe dryness etc). Afterwards they could tailor it better to their needs. 

This routine would cost around 60 €-110 € (depending if bare minimum is bought or one of everything) and it would need to be repurchased a few times a year. So it is not exactly a super budget routine but no where near high end.

Clinique Cleansing Oil (fragrance free, emulsifies easily, personally for me adding cleansing oil to routine was game changer)

Garnier Micellar Gel Wash (fragrance free, affordable, washes off easily)

Konjac sponge (for gentle exfoliation/polishing, either with cleansing or afterwards, I tend to use afterwards or in the morning if I have flakes etc)

Differin Adapalene Gel (fragrance free, the powerhouse of the routine - this can be skipped and go with konjac sponge or gentle PHA product but if there is a wish to improve the skin texture more this is the powerful multitasker and there is no need to juggle several serum bottles if that feels too bothersome - I wouldn't even suggest prescription tretinoin to a someone new to skincare - maybe retinol/retinal product instead of Differin but I have no personal good experience with them - if I had to suggest something I'd say Avene's retinal because it's probably gentler than Differin and many others and it can be bought in store unlike Differin - Avene A-Oxitive Night Peeling Cream)

The Ordinary NMF + HA and/or Eucerin Face Urea Repair 5% (both are fragrance free, not very heavy, Eucerin more elegant formula if The Ordinary doesn't cut it, both work under makeup for me)

Garnier Sensitive Face UV Fluid/Super UV Anti-Dark Spots and Anti-Pollution Fluid SPF 50+ whatever-it-is-called-these-days and/or Nivea Sensitive Soothing Face SPF50 (both are fragrance free and work under makeup for me - sunscreens are very personal thing and I would recommend these over Asian ones because they can be bought in store for starter routine - they both have a shiny finish - I'll update if I find a holy grail SPF - I did actually buy Innisfree Anti Aging Serum Sunscreen SPF50+ for my mom who can't figure out online shopping so if it's easily available it's great)

IF dryness or irritation from Differin Gel: A-Derma Dermalibour+ Repairing Cream (fragrance free, thick balm for the night, most of the non skincare users probably would not like the "sticky" feeling on their face)

IF still dry skin: The Ordinary Squalane and/or some hydrating toner/essence/serum (I have to say nothing comes to mind currently that I would just recommend above others - Squalane is easily absorbing fragrance free oil and I find a drop or two can be added almost to anything but most non skincare users usually seem to dislike oily things)

Morning:

Garnier Micellar Gel Wash

(Konjac sponge)

The Ordinary NMF + HA and/or Eucerin Face Urea Repair 5% 

Garnier Sensitive Face UV Fluid/Super UV Anti-Dark Spots and Anti-Pollution Fluid SPF 50+ whatever-it-is-called-these-days and/or Nivea Sensitive Soothing Face SPF50 (Innisfree Anti Aging Serum Sunscreen SPF50+)

Evening:

Clinique Cleansing Oil

Garnier Micellar Gel Wash

(Konjac sponge)

(Differin Adapalene Gel) (Avene A-Oxitive Night Peeling Cream)

(some hydrating toner/essence/serum)

The Ordinary NMF + HA and/or Eucerin Face Urea Repair 5% 

(The Ordinary Squalane)

(A-Derma Dermalibour+ Repairing Cream)