How to Develop a Skincare Routine with These Commonly Overlooked Steps

Though skinimalism (or skincare minimalism) may be trendy, a simple skincare regimen is not necessarily suitable for everyone. Sure, we all want to cut down the time it takes to get ready in the morning and evening, but far more important than the number of products you use is the type of products, their ingredients and whether they’re formulated to target your specific concerns. 

If you are struggling with your skin, it may be time to reassess your current regimen. After all, people frequently skip some of the most important steps to a truly effective routine. Not sure what you’re missing? You’ve come to the right place. 

How to Build a Skincare Routine 

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to a skincare routine. Finding the products that work specifically for your skin type is essential for achieving your skin goals. 

To figure this out, though, you’ll want to first determine what your skin type is right now (note: this can change over time and even with the seasons). Ask yourself: Is my skin dry? Oily? Combination? Sensitive? 

Then, ask yourself: what skin concerns do I have? Acne? Dullness? Dryness? Fine lines and wrinkles? Uneven texture and skin tone? Once you’ve determined the answers to these two questions, look for products specifically formulated for your skin and its needs. 

Regardless of your answers, though, your regimen should include a cleanser, treatment, moisturizer and sunscreen (during the day) at the bare minimum. For more specific concerns, there are several other often-overlooked steps that can boost the efficacy of your skincare regimen to maximize results. These include toners, elixirs, exfoliators, masks and night treatments, all of which can target your skin’s specific needs. 

1. Toners & Elixirs 

If you’ve ever wondered “is a toner necessary?” The short answer is yes, because even the most effective cleansers can leave behind dead skin cells, dirt, debris and makeup. Toners are typically liquid solutions used after cleansing to remove any leftover residue that may remain on your face, neck and décolletage. After your toner, you’ll want to use an elixir, which improves hydration and balances skin to prepare it for treatment. 

• No:Rinse Intensive Pore Minimizing Toner 

Skin Type: All skin types 

Concern: Enlarged pores, excess oil and impurity build-up 

Key Ingredients: DMAE, salicylic acid and copper complex 

What It Does: A powerful toner that targets even the most stubborn enlarged pores and shine by gently exfoliating, purifying the skin of residue and excess oil and visibly tightening pores for a perfectly matte finish. 

• Acne Relief Gentle Exfoliating Toner 

Skin Type: All skin types 

Concern: Blemishes, clogged pores, excess oil and impurity build-up 

Key Ingredients: Lactic and succinic acids, maximum-strength salicylic acid and citrulline 

What It Does: A clarifying formula that smooths and helps unclog enlarged pores to clear blemishes, whiteheads and blackheads. 

• Hypoallergenic CBD Sensitive Skin Therapy Rebalancing Elixir 

Skin Type: Sensitive skin 

Concern: Dullness, redness and rough texture 

Key Ingredients: Cannabidiol (CBD), mushroom complex and cherimoya fruit extract 

What It Does: A gentle, soothing elixir designed to visibly hydrate, smooth texture and even tone, while rebalancing skin to its ideal pH level for a complexion that’s left feeling soft and smooth and looking healthy and refreshed. 

2. Exfoliators 

What does exfoliating do? It’s essential not just for sloughing away dull, dead skin but also for allowing other products to be absorbed by the skin more effectively. 

Though you may initially think of physical exfoliating cleansers for this step, chemical exfoliating products, including alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic and lactic acid or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid, have become especially popular amongst skincare newbies and experts alike — and you don’t have to go to a spa for these treatments. 

At-home chemical peels are also an increasingly in demand option, helping to resurface and smooth uneven texture. 

• Vitamin C Ester Daily Brightening & Exfoliating Peel 

Skin Type: All skin types 

Concern: Discoloration, dullness, uneven tone and texture 

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C Ester, AHA / PHA Super Blend and ferulic acid 

What It Does: An advanced, no-rinse resurfacing peel that helps eliminate dead skin cells and smooth uneven texture, while instantly improving your skin's radiance and glow. 

3. Masks 

Masking is more than just an opportunity to pamper yourself with self-care. Masks can be packed with concentrated ingredients to target specific skin concerns and they come in a variety of types. 

Clay masks are great for detoxifying and smoothing and are particularly popular for those with oily or acne-prone skin. Exfoliating masks help to slough away dullness for a healthier, brighter complexion. Sheet masks can address a variety of skin concerns but are always ultra-hydrating and nourishing, making them great for dry, dehydrated and/or aging skin. 

• Cold Plasma Plus+ Concentrated Treatment Sheet Mask 

Skin Type: All skin types 

Concern: Dullness, uneven texture and tone, discoloration and loss of firmness 

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C Ester, copper tripeptide and phospholipids 

What It Does: An innovative, 2-piece sheet mask formulated to promote the most visible signs of healthy, youthful-looking skin faster than ever before by reducing dullness, uneven texture, uneven tone, discoloration and loss of firmness. 

• Chlorophyll Detox Mask 

Skin Type: All skin types 

Concern: Loss of radiance, enlarged pores, impurity build-up, fine lines and wrinkles 

Key Ingredients: Chlorophyll-microcapsules, copper complex and papaya enzyme 

What It Does: An intensely purifying, gel-to-clay mask that deeply detoxifies and cleanses to help rebalance oil-prone skin while minimizing the appearance of enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles for smoother and brighter-looking skin. 

• Acne Relief Calming & Soothing Clay Mask 

Skin Type: All skin types 

Concern: Blemishes, clogged pores, excess oil and impurity build-up 

Key Ingredients: Lactobacillus ferment, willowherb and bentonite clay 

What It Does: A clay mask that gently exfoliates, unclogs pores, removes impurities, absorbs excess oil and attacks acne-causing bacteria, while rapidly soothing skin and reducing skin redness. 

 4. Night Treatments 

You know what they say about needing beauty sleep? Well, there’s a reason for it! In fact, as we sleep, our bodies do more than recharge and reboot. While we catch Zs, our skin gets a much-needed break from environmental aggressors, like UV rays and pollution. Additionally, our body releases hormones while we sleep to repair and restoreour skin. 

Thus, it’s especially important to support this regeneration process by using highly concentrated, nourishing products in your nighttime routine. 

• Vitamin C Ester Brightening Overnight Treatment  

Skin Type: All skin types 

Concern: Fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity, uneven tone, discoloration and sun damage 

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C Ester, glycolic acid and amino acids 

What It Does: An ultra-restorative treatment that works overnight to visibly brighten, even tone and improve the feel of skin’s elasticity over time. 

• Multi-Action Overnight Intensive Firming Mask 

Skin Type: All skin types 

Concern: Loss of radiance, loss of firmness and fine lines 

Key Ingredients: DMAE, coconut oil and Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) 

What It Does: A velvety-rich mask that hydrates and soothes as you sleep, while combatting the look of fine lines and the feel of loss of firmness over time. 

After you begin incorporating these regularly omitted skincare steps into your daily routine, you’ll notice a significant improvement in your skin’s concerns. Trust us, that extra time you’ll spend on your routine will be so worth it for healthy, balanced and radiant skin.