8 Tips on How to Choose the Right Skincare Routine for Your Skin Type

Skincare is not one-size-fits-all. With the overwhelming number of skincare products and trends, selecting the right routine for your skin type can feel confusing. However, the secret to healthy, radiant skin lies in understanding your skin’s needs and using ingredients that complement it rather than harm it.

According to Dr Shaun Segal, a leading expert in dermatology, the wrong skincare routine can do more harm than good. Using harsh cleansers on dry skin or thick moisturizers on acne-prone skin can trigger irritation, breakouts, and premature ageing. On the other hand, a well-curated skincare regimen can enhance your skin’s natural glow, prevent common concerns like acne and dryness, and slow down the visible signs of ageing.

To help you build an effective skincare routine, here are eight expert-backed tips for selecting the best products for your unique skin type.

1. Identify Your Skin Type

Before investing in any skincare product, it’s crucial to identify your skin type. Many people misdiagnose their skin, leading them to use incorrect formulations that worsen their concerns. The five primary skin types include:

• Oily Skin: Produces excess sebum, leading to shine, enlarged pores, and frequent breakouts.
• Dry Skin: Lacks moisture, feeling tight, flaky, or rough, especially after cleansing.
• Combination Skin: Has an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) while remaining dry on the cheeks.
• Sensitive Skin: Reacts easily to fragrances, new products, or environmental changes, often leading to redness, itching, or irritation.
• Normal Skin: Well-balanced, with no significant dryness, oiliness, or sensitivity.

🔹 Pro Tip: To determine your skin type, wash your face with a mild cleanser and wait 30 minutes without applying any product. If your skin feels oily, you have oily skin. If it feels tight and rough, it’s dry skin. If only the T-zone is oily, you have combination skin.

Also Read: Shaping Future Dermatologists: How Professors Contribute to Cutting-Edge Skincare Innovations

2. Choose the Right Cleanser

Cleansing is the foundation of a good skincare routine. It removes dirt, oil, sweat, and environmental pollutants that accumulate on the skin throughout the day. However, using the wrong cleanser can strip your skin’s natural barrier, leading to dryness, irritation, or excessive oil production.

🔹 For Oily Skin: Opt for a foaming or gel-based cleanser with salicylic acid to control oil, unclog pores, and prevent acne.
🔹 For Dry Skin: Choose a hydrating, cream-based cleanser enriched with ceramides, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid to restore moisture.
🔹 For Combination Skin: A balancing, pH-friendly cleanser ensures hydration without making oily areas greasier.
🔹 For Sensitive Skin: Use a gentle, fragrance-free, sulfate-free cleanser with calming ingredients like chamomile or aloe vera to prevent irritation.

✅ Best Practice: Cleanse your skin twice a day (morning and night) to remove impurities and maintain a healthy skin barrier.

3. Pick the Right Moisturizer

A common misconception is that only dry skin needs moisturizer. In reality, all skin types require proper hydration to maintain a strong skin barrier, prevent premature aging, and keep skin looking plump and healthy.

🔹 For Oily Skin: A lightweight, gel-based moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide hydrates without clogging pores.
🔹 For Dry Skin: A rich, cream-based moisturizer with shea butter, ceramides, and squalane provides long-lasting hydration.
🔹 For Combination Skin: Use a non-greasy, oil-free moisturizer that provides hydration while controlling shine.
🔹 For Sensitive Skin: A fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizer with colloidal oatmeal or ceramides soothes and repairs the skin barrier.

✅ Best Practice: Apply moisturizer immediately after cleansing to lock in hydration and maintain a soft, supple complexion.

4. Never Skip Sunscreen (SPF 30 or Higher)

Sunscreen is the most essential step in any skincare routine. Exposure to UV rays can cause sun damage, premature wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer. Yet, many people neglect sunscreen, thinking it’s only necessary on sunny days.

🔹 For Oily/Acne-Prone Skin: Use a lightweight, matte-finish sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to prevent clogged pores.
🔹 For Dry Skin: Choose a hydrating sunscreen with added hyaluronic acid and antioxidants.
🔹 For Sensitive Skin: A mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide is the best option, as it’s less irritating than chemical sunscreens.

✅ Best Practice: Apply sunscreen every morning, even when indoors, and reapply every 2 hours when outdoors.

Recommended Reading: The Role of Dermatology Professors in Advancing Skin Health Education and Research in 2025

5. Incorporate Targeted Treatments (Serums & Actives)

Serums are potent skincare treatments that address specific skin concerns like acne, aging, or hyperpigmentation. Adding the right active ingredients to your routine can significantly enhance your skin’s appearance.

🔹 For Acne-Prone Skin: Use niacinamide, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide to control breakouts and excess oil.
🔹 For Anti-Aging: Retinol or peptides boost collagen production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
🔹 For Hyperpigmentation: Vitamin C and alpha arbutin brighten skin and fade dark spots.
🔹 For Hydration: Hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates and plumps the skin.

✅ Best Practice: Apply serums before moisturizer, usually at night, to allow deep absorption into the skin.

6. Exfoliate Wisely

Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and improve texture, but over-exfoliating can damage the skin barrier.

🔹 For Oily/Acne-Prone Skin: Use a salicylic acid (BHA) exfoliant 2-3 times per week.
🔹 For Dry Skin: Choose a gentle lactic acid (AHA) exfoliant once a week.
🔹 For Sensitive Skin: Opt for an enzyme-based exfoliant to avoid irritation.

✅ Best Practice: Avoid harsh physical scrubs, which can cause micro-tears and sensitivity.

7. Avoid Harsh Ingredients

Many skincare products contain hidden irritants that can damage your skin. Dr Shaun Segal advises avoiding:

🚫 Alcohol-based products (drying and irritating)
🚫 Fragrance & essential oils (common triggers for sensitive skin)
🚫 Sulfates (SLS/SLES) (strip natural oils, causing dryness)
🚫 Comedogenic oils (e.g., coconut oil for acne-prone skin)

✅ Best Practice: Always patch-test new products before full application.

8. Stay Consistent & Be Patient

Skincare isn’t instant—it takes 4-8 weeks to see real changes. Stick to a routine, avoid switching products too often, and adjust based on seasonal changes.If you’re unsure about your skin type or product choices, consult Dr Shaun Segal for expert guidance tailored to your needs.