There is a quiet pressure in skincare to keep adding: another essence, another mist, another step. Most skin does not need it. What it needs is a small number of well-made products, used consistently.
Cleanse
A cleanser has one job, which is to remove what does not belong on your face without taking what does. If your skin feels tight after washing, your cleanser is too strong. Choose a milk or a low-foam gel and use lukewarm water.
Treat
This is where a serum earns its place. Pick one concern, not five. Hydration, uneven tone and excess oil each have well-studied ingredients, and one serum used for eight weeks will tell you far more than four used for two.
Moisturise
Moisturiser keeps water in and irritants out. Oily skin needs it as much as dry skin; it simply needs a lighter texture.
Protect
Sunscreen is the step that protects everything else you do. Two finger-lengths for face and neck, every morning, including cloudy days and days spent mostly indoors near windows.
A routine you can finish in four minutes is a routine you will still be doing in four months.