A dermatologist-worthy skincare routine comes down to five steps done in the right order: cleanse, apply serum, moisturise, and finish with SPF every morning, then switch to a repair-focused routine at night. Getting the order right matters as much as the products themselves, since each step is designed to prep skin for the one that follows.
By Erin, Educator and Hair Health Expert, Hairhouse
A successful skincare routine is about consistency. You can have a haul of the best brands and products on the market, but unless you use them routinely, and correctly, they won't be of much help.
Why Does a Skincare Routine Matter?
Skin needs care. It's as simple as that. Ageing is inevitable, as are the negative effects of the environment, including pollution and sun damage, but rather than trying to reverse damage done, you can prevent it taking hold in the first place. Here are the steps to build a skincare routine that actually works, whatever the season.
Step 1: Cleansers
A great skincare routine begins with a high-quality cleanser to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and pollutants that can clog pores and cause irritation. This then allows skincare products such as moisturiser, serums, sunscreen, eye cream, active ingredients and night cream to really get to work on skin that's clear and clean.
Gel cleansers are great for oily or acne-prone skin, cream cleansers work best on dry or sensitive skin, and foaming cleansers can be calming on combination skin.
Dermatologist Skincare Tip: Avoid cleaning your face with harsh soaps, as these can strip vital nutrients from the skin's natural barrier. If you don't have a cleanser on hand, use warm water and a face towel instead, gently massaging in circular motions, being particularly gentle around the eyes, to remove any makeup and skincare products. Finish with a splash of cold water to close pores and pat dry with a clean towel.
Step 2: Serums
Serums are best applied on freshly cleansed skin, since concentrated formulas have the best chance of absorbing and working their magic on a clean complexion. There are lots of serums on the market, so it's worth choosing based on your specific skincare needs: options containing vitamin C to promote glow, salicylic acid to promote cell turnover, peptides to support a healthy skin barrier, BHAs to brighten skin tone, niacinamide to help control oil, and hyaluronic acid and ceramides when deep hydration is the goal.
Dermatologist Skincare Tip: When layering serums, always use the thinnest, most lightweight option first, working your way up, starting with water-based serums and finishing with oil-based ones. Layering ingredients in the right order helps improve absorption and results. If you have sensitive skin, introduce serums containing vitamin C, niacinamide or hyaluronic acid one at a time, since they can occasionally cause irritation in reactive skin.
Step 3: Moisturisers
No matter your skin type, moisturisers are essential in every skincare routine to seal in hydration, strengthen the skin barrier and prevent further loss of moisture. Different formulations suit different concerns, whether that's ageing skin, dry skin, oily skin, fine lines, or sensitive skin.
Gel-based moisturisers are great for oily skin, since they're primarily water-based and offer a lightweight, non-greasy texture that hydrates without adding excess oil. Lotion or cream moisturisers suit normal skin types thanks to their lightweight, nurturing formulas, while balms work well for dry skin, forming a barrier that helps prevent hydration loss and protects against environmental factors.
Dermatologist Skincare Tip: Apply moisturiser after serums and before SPF. Serums aren't essential for everyone, though, so if you have oily skin, you may prefer to skip that step and go straight to moisturiser to avoid a heavy, oily finish.
Step 4: SPF
If there's one thing dermatologists agree on, it's that SPF is non-negotiable. Daily sun protection is essential to help prevent premature ageing and hyperpigmentation, and to reduce the risk of skin cancer, a risk that's especially high in Australia's strong UV climate, where damage adds up fast even on overcast days. Options like tinted sunscreens protect skin while also evening out skin tone, so sun protection doesn't have to mean skipping coverage.
Dermatologist Skincare Tip: No matter the season, applying SPF every morning is essential. The face and neck area need about a teaspoon of sun protection to do the job properly, and it's worth remembering the ears, hairline and backs of the hands too.
Step 5: PM Skincare
At the end of every day, cleansing is vital to remove makeup and daily grime. Using a gentle exfoliant once a week or so is also a good idea, to encourage cell turnover and keep skin balanced.
Dermatologist Skincare Tip: In the morning, skincare is mostly about cleansing, moisturising and SPF, but the evening is when a routine can focus on repair, including retinoids and active ingredients that support collagen production. Keep the steps simple and consistent, and both your skin and your dermatologist will thank you.
AM and PM Skincare Routines at a Glance
AM routine: cleanse with a formula suited to your skin type, apply a lightweight serum such as vitamin C (a little goes a long way), moisturise to suit your skin type, then finish with SPF every single day regardless of season.
PM routine: cleanse with a richer, more hydrating formula if your skin can handle it, apply a serum suited to overnight repair (retinol for anti-ageing, hyaluronic acid for hydration, glycolic acid or AHAs for resurfacing, or peptides to firm), then finish with an antioxidant-rich moisturiser to support the skin barrier overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I apply my skincare products?
Cleanse first, then apply serum to clean skin, followed by moisturiser, then SPF in the morning. In the evening, skip SPF and focus on repair-oriented serums and a nourishing night moisturiser instead.
Do I need a serum in my skincare routine?
Serums aren't essential for everyone. They're most useful for targeting specific concerns like hydration, brightening or anti-ageing. If you have oily skin or a simple routine preference, moisturiser alone can still form a complete routine.
Why is SPF so important in a skincare routine?
Daily SPF helps prevent premature ageing and hyperpigmentation and reduces the risk of skin cancer from cumulative sun exposure. It should be applied every morning regardless of the season or weather.
What's the difference between an AM and PM skincare routine?
An AM routine focuses on protection, cleansing, moisturising and SPF, to shield skin through the day. A PM routine focuses on repair, using ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid or peptides while skin's natural cell turnover is highest overnight.
How often should I exfoliate?
Most skin types benefit from gentle exfoliation around once a week to encourage cell turnover without over-stripping the skin barrier. Sensitive skin may need less frequent exfoliation, while more resilient skin can sometimes tolerate slightly more.
Kickstart your skincare routine at Hairhouse today, family-owned since 1992 with 100+ stores across Australia, plus free standard delivery on orders over $70.