The Simplest Skincare Routine for Beginners

The world of skincare can be overwhelming to say the least. With a million hero ingredients (and each have their own confusing names), knowing how to curate a daily skincare routine that will benefit your goals can be tricky.

Multi-step routines that have an endless list of ingredients are sometimes idealised – but the simplest skincare can often be the best. This isn’t only true for radiant skin either – the environment also benefits when we reduce our footprint by using less. Garnier’s commitment to reducing skincare’s environmental impact extends to greener science, formulas and packaging – understanding that a simple skincare routine minimises excess. Our Green Labs vegan and certified cruelty-free formulas are multi-use and multi-beneficial, to ensure your skin receives the care it needs while caring for our environment.

To help you achieve glowing skin, we’ve compiled a comprehensive and easy-to-understand skin care 101 for beginners. Learn which products are essential to everyone, and the core ingredients you should include for your specific skin type. Your skin will thank you for it!

Simplest skincare essentials

First things first: to create an effective simple skincare routine it helps to understand why we structure each step the way we do. There are some products that are essential for everyone: youthful, mature, dry or oily. A skincare routine for beginners should always focus on the following fundamentals (in this order):

  1. Cleanser:
    Clean skin is essential for healthy skin. Each day, we encounter stressors that can cause skin issues to occur, like bacteria, pollution and dirt. A cleanser helps to remove those impurities and return our skin to a neutral state. Aside from this essential element, cleansers help the following steps and their ingredients access and support our deeper skin layers. To better environmental impacts, effective cleansers like Vitamin C Cleansing Water can be used alongside eco-friendly pads Micellar Eco Pads.
  2. Exfoliator:
    You may be under the impression that exfoliation is too stressful for sensitive skin or not relevant for those with oily skin types. In fact, all skin requires gentle exfoliation – though there are differing methodologies for how best to apply this step across the skin types. Exfoliators can be physical or chemical, and work to remove dead skin cells while further cleansing skin.
  3. Serum:
    A key aspect of skincare for beginners, serum application is essential for a range of skin concerns. Serums provide a high concentration of active ingredients in a lightweight formula, each with a different purpose. Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Serum is infused with vitamin C and pineapple extract - designed for uneven skin tones and to reveal a brighter more radiant complexion.
  4. Moisturiser:
    The best-known step, moisturisers appear in everyone’s regime – from the most complex to an absolute beginner skincare routine. Moisturiser supports the ever-crucial skin moisture barrier, which protects from external stressors and keeps fatty acids, sebum and water content in. Without proper levels of moisture, oil-flow increase, dryness and sensitive reactions are more likely to occur in skin. For additional protection on skin, our Green Labs 3 in 1 serum creams provide 24-hour moisture with the efficacy of a targeted serum and SPF 15 – in only one easy step.
  5. SPF:
    Sun protection should be at the top of everyone’s skincare list. Especially in Australia, the simplest skincare rule to stick by is everyday application of sunscreen. Use broad-spectrum formulas and reapply every 2 hours for optimal protection against UV radiation.

Basic skincare routine per skin type

Now that we’ve covered the basic skincare routine steps - we can tailor it to your skin type. An easy skincare routine should focus on two core principles: supportive ingredients and the right functions. To see your ideal AM and PM basic skincare routine, read below.

Basic skin care for dry skin

The foundational dry skincare daily routine focuses on moisture, cell renewal, and brightening ingredients. For plump and radiant looking skin that stays hydrated, start with a moisture-rich cleanser. Hyalu-Melon Smoothing Milky Facial Cleanser is formulated with hyaluronic acid and watermelon extract, to remove impurities and awaken dulled skin. To follow, a serum cream will provide 24-hour moisture and provide powerful ingredients to promote strong skin. Designed for dehydrated skin, Hyalu-Melon Replumping Serum Cream SPF 15 is infused with hyaluronic acid and watermelon extract to replump and moisturise.

Skin pick-up:
When skin feels particularly dry or dull, hyaluronic acid-infused Hydra Bomb Hyaluronic Acid Pomegranate Hydrating Sheet Mask provides an extra boost of moisture.

Basic skin care for oily skin

Basic skincare routine steps for oily and acne-prone skin are all about re-establishing oil-flow balance, and assisting to improve the look of blemishes or imperfections. Start by cleansing the skin of bacteria and impurities that may contribute to breakouts. Canna-B Pore Perfecting 3-in-1 Cleanser + Exfoliator + Mask deeply cleans the skin and includes niacinamide and cannabis sativa seed oil to tighten the appearance of pores. To address shine and improve skin texture, a serum cream is your next step. Canna-B Pore Serum Cream includes niacinamide to help regulate oil-flow and moisturise skin.

Skin pick-up:
When skin feels especially oily or breakouts reoccur, improve the look of skin with kale extract and niacinamide-infused Niacinamide Detox Ampoule Face Sheet Mask.

Basic skin care for sensitive skin

Sensitive skin can be hard to figure out. The simplest skincare for this skin type includes gentle and hydrating ingredients that won’t cause discomfort. Cleansing is incredibly important for sensitive skin, so begin with gentle Micellar Cleansing Water in Oil for Delicate Eyes & Skin, to refresh skin and remove impurities. To improve the strength of skin, Hyalu-Melon Replumping Serum Cream SPF is formulated with watermelon and hyaluronic acid.

Skin pick-up:
Hyaluronic Acid Firming Ampoule Face Sheet Mask – Watermelon Extract visibly revitalises skin, for when stress takes over.

Love our easy skincare routine guide? Discover how to choose the right cleanser for your skin type next.