Summer 26 UCLAx 460.394

AS: How to Build a Simple Skincare Routine You Can Actually Follow

Written by Ajitika Singh | Aug 4, 2026, 3:34:36 AM

 

If you have ever opened social media and felt overwhelmed by endless skincare recommendations, you are not alone. With new products, ingredients, and trends appearing constantly, building a routine can quickly become confusing.

However, an effective skincare routine does not need to include ten different products. The best routine is often one that addresses your primary skincare goal, fits comfortably into your day, and is simple enough to follow consistently.

Here is how you can build a straightforward morning and evening routine without making skincare feel complicated.

 

1. Begin With Your Primary Skincare Goal

Before choosing products, identify what you want your routine to accomplish. Your primary goal might be improving hydration, supporting sensitive skin, addressing uneven texture, creating a healthy-looking glow, or simply developing a consistent everyday routine.

Focusing on one main goal makes it easier to select products intentionally. It also helps prevent you from adding unnecessary steps simply because a product is popular online.

Remember that your routine does not need to address every possible concern at once. Start with the goal that matters most to you and adjust your routine gradually.

2. Build a Simple Morning Routine

The purpose of a morning routine is to prepare your skin for the day while maintaining hydration and protection.

A basic morning routine can include:

Cleanse

Begin with a gentle cleanser to remove oil and buildup from the night. Rhode’s Pineapple Refresh can be used as the cleansing step in a simple routine.

Prepare and hydrate

Follow with a lightweight hydrating product such as Glazing Milk. This step helps prepare the skin for the products that follow and adds an initial layer of moisture.

Add a serum

Apply Peptide Glazing Fluid to provide another layer of hydration and create a dewy, healthy-looking finish.

Moisturize and protect

Complete the routine with a moisturizer if your skin needs additional support. Always finish your morning routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Sunscreen should be used even if the rest of your routine is minimal.

3. Create a Consistent Evening Routine

Your evening routine gives you an opportunity to remove makeup, sunscreen, and buildup from the day while replenishing moisture.

A simple evening routine can include:

Cleanse thoroughly

Use a gentle cleanser to remove the products and buildup accumulated throughout the day. If you wear heavier makeup, you may need to remove it before using your regular cleanser.

Restore hydration

Apply Glazing Milk after cleansing to add lightweight hydration and prepare your skin for the next step.

Moisturize

Use a moisturizer such as Barrier Restore Cream to help support your skin barrier and replenish moisture overnight.

Add extra nourishment when needed

If certain areas feel especially dry, apply a richer product such as Barrier Butter to those areas as the final step in your evening routine.

You do not need to use every possible product each night. Your routine should respond to what your skin needs while remaining manageable.

4. Introduce New Products Gradually

It can be tempting to begin several new products at the same time, especially after seeing a complete routine online. However, introducing products one at a time makes it easier to understand how each product fits into your routine.

Give yourself time to become comfortable with one step before adding another. If a product causes discomfort or persistent irritation, stop using it and seek guidance from a qualified professional when appropriate.

A gradual approach also makes your routine easier to maintain. Consistency is usually more valuable than creating a complicated routine that becomes difficult to follow.

5. Keep Your Routine Realistic

Your skincare routine should work with your lifestyle rather than compete with it. If you are usually in a hurry in the morning, focus on a few essential steps. If you enjoy spending more time on your evening routine, that may be the right time to include an additional moisturizing product.

You can also place products where you are most likely to remember them or connect your routine to an existing habit. The easier your routine is to complete, the more likely you are to follow it consistently.

Find a Routine That Fits Your Skin

There is no single routine that works exactly the same way for everyone. Your skincare goals, preferences, schedule, and comfort level should all influence the products and steps you choose.

Our free Personalized Rhode Routine Guide can help you organize a simple routine based on your primary skincare goal. Complete the short form to access the guide and begin creating a routine that feels realistic for you.

Small Steps Can Create a Better Routine

Skincare does not need to feel overwhelming. Start with your primary goal, focus on a few essential steps, and introduce new products gradually. A thoughtful routine is not defined by the number of products it contains, but by how well it fits your needs and how consistently you can follow it.

This content is part of a student project at UCLA Extension. Any logos used might be slightly changed to indicate that this document is NOT a communication from the company represented by the changed logo. Any statements made in this content are the statements of the UCLA student and not of any company. This statement is made so that any reader will understand this document is part of a UCLA student project and NOT a communication from any existing company.