Skincare Routine: How to Get Started (Oily, Dry or Combination Skin)

Cleanser, toner, essence, serum, cream… When you're just starting out, skincare can quickly seem complicated. The good news: an effective skincare routine doesn't have to be long. Above all, it needs to suit your skin and be followed consistently. Here's how to get started, step by step.

Step 0: know your skin type

The simplest test: cleanse your face, apply nothing and observe your skin after one hour.

• Oily skin: it shines all over the face and pores are visible.
• Dry skin: it feels tight, may flake and lacks comfort.
• Combination skin: it shines on the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) but stays normal or dry on the cheeks.
• Sensitive skin: it reddens or tingles easily, whatever its type.

The 4 essential steps of a skincare routine

1. Cleanse

Morning and evening, remove sebum, pollution and residue. A gentle exfoliating cleansing gel suits most skin types. For a deeper cleanse, a sonic facial cleansing brush makes all the difference without scrubbing.

2. Tone and hydrate

Toner rebalances the skin and prepares it for the next steps. The hyaluronic acid toner hydrates and plumps right from this step.

3. Treat with a serum

This is the “targeted” step. For beginners, niacinamide is an excellent choice: well tolerated, it helps refine skin texture and strengthen the skin barrier. Try our niacinamide serum.

4. Moisturize and protect

Cream locks in hydration. In the morning, always finish with sun protection: it's the number one habit for keeping skin healthy and preventing skin aging.

Skincare routine for oily skin

The classic mistake: stripping the skin. Oily skin that's treated harshly produces… even more sebum. Focus on gentleness and balance:

• Gentle cleanser morning and evening, without harsh soap.
• Salicylic acid (BHA) exfoliant 2 to 3 evenings a week to unclog pores: our salicylic acid exfoliating toner.
• Lightweight moisturizer that doesn't clog pores, like the prebiotic moisturizing cream.
• For a pimple, use a hydrocolloid patch rather than squeezing it.

The all-in-one options: the T-Zone Kit for blackheads, or the Clear Skin Kit for a complete 3-step routine.

Skincare routine for dry skin

Dry skin lacks lipids and needs comfort. The goal: never let it feel tight.

• Non-drying cleanser, rinsed off with lukewarm (never hot) water.
• Layer hydration: hydrating toner, then serum, then cream, Korean skincare style.
• A rich cream at night, like the collagen & PDRN cream.
• A hydrating mask once or twice a week: the Korean collagen sheet masks are perfect.

Skincare routine for combination skin

Treat each area according to its needs: a gentle exfoliant on the T-zone, more generous hydration on the cheeks. A light cream all over the face is often enough, with an extra layer on dry areas.

5 mistakes to avoid as a beginner

1. Changing everything at once: introduce one new product at a time so you know what works for your skin.
2. Piling on powerful actives: retinol, acids and vitamin C shouldn't all be used on the same night.
3. Forgetting sun protection, even in winter.
4. Rubbing: pat and massage, never rub.
5. Giving up too soon: skin needs about 4 weeks to show results.

What next? Evolving your routine

Once the basics are in place, you can add steps as you like: an anti-aging serum, a weekly mask, a massage with the LED gua sha or an LED mask session. To discover the full version, read our guide to the step-by-step Korean skincare routine.

Want a ready-to-use routine? Explore our Korean skincare collection.