As a child, with a bright, clear complexion, you probably didn’t think twice about your skin. But once puberty hit, skin care suddenly became a concern. Even after the teenage acne that once blighted your face had faded away, skin care remains pertinent well into adulthood. You may struggle with adult acne, oily skin, large pores, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and a host of other skin issues. 

Getting your skin under control starts with a good skincare routine. That’s not to suggest you can guarantee yourself perpetually clear, glowing skin with a few simple steps. Of course lots of factors come into play when it comes to your skin, for example, hormones, sleep, and eating habits. And some chronic skin issues will likely require assistance from a dermatologist. That being said, you can do your part to fight skin problems with a solid skincare routine. 

Developing a healthy skincare routine is easy as 1-2-3. Really, all it takes is three simple steps and you’re good to go. So without further ado, here they are:

1. Cleanse.

The first step to any skincare routine is to cleanse the skin. Healthy skin is clean skin. Start with a gentle cleanser of your choice to remove any dirt, oil, makeup or other grime from your skin. 

2. Balance.

The second step that should be included in your skin regimen is to balance the skin with a toner. Toner serves several purposes: to remove any leftover residue your cleanser may have missed, to balance the skin’s pH, and to reduce the visibility of pores. It can also help calm the skin and reduce redness. You can buy a good toner at any drugstore, or you can make your own out of ingredients like witch hazel, rose water, apple cider vinegar, glycerin and aloe vera. 

3. Moisturize.

Because toning can be drying to the skin, it’s important to follow up with a good moisturizer. There are all kinds of moisturizers on the market that do different things. For UV protection, there are moisturizers that feature sunscreen. For anti-aging, there are moisturizers with collagen and hyaluronic acid. And there are specific moisturizers available based on your skin type. Just find one that caters to your needs. 

If you adopt these three steps into your daily skincare routine, you’ll be doing more to promote healthy, well-balanced skin. For best results, repeat these steps twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. And to take your skincare game to the next level, consider adding in an exfoliating scrub and a hydrating mask once a week.