I have gone through a few products on my journey to find the right skincare for my dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, and through the years, I’ve found a few that really work for me.
I used to think that if I didn’t use specific products from other viral brands, or have multiple products in my routine, it wouldn’t help with my acne and dry skin.
But in my case, the opposite was true. I found that using limited, simple skincare products consistently helped my skin more than I thought.
It is possible to achieve good skin with a simple routine: cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen.
A Gentle Cleanser
For my dry skin, I personally make sure to use a gentle hydrating cleanser, as I have found my skin responds best to products that clean without leaving it feeling stripped or tight.
The things I look for in a cleanser are:
- Gentle cleansing
- Ingredients to add hydration
- Help maintain the skin barrier
- Does not leave behind a squeaky-clean feeling
If you are looking for a gentle cleanser, CeraVe and La Roche-Posay are excellent options for sensitive and dry skin types:
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser 236ml
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser 236ml
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Nettoyant Cleanser 200ml
If your skin is oily, combination, or acne-prone, then these would be good to try:
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Gel 400ml
CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser 236ml
A Moisturiser That Supports the Skin Barrier
This is the most important part of my morning and evening skincare routine. I can’t go without a good moisturiser.
When I was younger, I found that after cleansing, my skin always felt very itchy and tight. I used to think my skin was just like that, and the feeling would only go away when I’d put moisturiser on.
As I grew older and did a bit of research, I found that the itchy feeling meant that my skin barrier was compromised or damaged. This put me on the search for a good moisturiser to repair my skin barrier.
When I use a moisturiser in the evening, it helps my skin stay hydrated and even helps repair it overnight.
Here are some excellent moisturisers worth considering, depending on your skin’s needs.
Dry Skin
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Riche 40ml
NeoStrata® Bionic Face Cream 40g
CeraVe Moisturising Cream 340g
Sensitive Skin
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ 100ml
NeoStrata® Ultra Moisturising Face Cream 40g
Oily / Combination Skin
La Roche-Posay Effaclar MAT 40ml
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM 52ml
Sunscreen Is My Non-Negotiable
Sunscreen is my non-negotiable. This is the item in my skincare routine that I found not only protects my skin from UV rays, but also helps support my skin and helps me keep a consistent acne-friendly routine
For me personally, I like my sunscreen to be on the higher end of the spectrum, SPF 50 or more.
Finding the right formula that is comfortable for your skin is the most important aspect when choosing a sunscreen.
Make sure to look out for:
- Broad-spectrum protection
- Comfortable finish
- Doesn’t pill under makeup
For those looking for high-quality sun protection, Heliocare and La Roche-Posay offer excellent options with strong UV protection and cosmetically elegant formulas.
Dry Skin
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Hydrating Cream SPF 50+ 50ml
SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense SPF 50 30ml
Sensitive Skin
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid SPF 50+ 50ml
Bioderma Photoderm XDefense Ultra-Fluid SPF50+ Invisible 40ml
Oily / Combination Skin
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Oil Control Fluid SPF50+
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Oil Control (Dry Touch) SPF 50+ 50ml
Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated. For me, sticking to a cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen consistently has made the biggest difference to my skin.
One thing I’ve learned throughout my skincare journey is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all routine. What works for my skin may not work for yours.
If you’re looking for guidance, our Routine Builder tool can help you find products tailored to your skin type, concerns, and goals.
References:
Into The Gloss | The 3 Components Of Any Good Moisturizer
CeraVe Website | A Simple 3-Step Routine To Take Control of Acne
