The Non-Negotiable Steps Every Skincare Routine Needs

When it comes to skincare, consistency is key. The best skincare routines aren’t complicated; they’re the ones you can stick to every day. In fact, using too many products, or the wrong ones, can lead to unwanted issues like irritation, redness, and a damaged skin barrier.

Every effective skincare routine is built on the same foundation: cleansing and moisturizing. These aren't optional. They're the two steps that help your skin stay clean, balanced, and healthy, regardless of your skin type. 

Whether you have a specific concern you’re addressing, or you simply want healthier skin, keep reading to find out why these steps matter, and how to get them right.

Step 1: Cleansing

Cleansing does much more than just wash away dirt. Throughout the day, your skin collects excess oil, sweat, environmental pollutants, and other impurities. If you leave them sitting on your skin, it can clog pores and cause breakouts or irritation.

A premium cleanser clears away the buildup without stripping your skin, leaving it clean, balanced, and ready for the rest of your routine.

Non-negotiable: Cleansing every night

At night, your skin does most of its repair work while you sleep. Consistent nighttime cleansing removes the day's buildup so your skin can focus on repairing itself overnight, instead dealing with oil, pollutants, and impurities that can clog pores and contribute to breakouts.

Should you cleanse every morning?

For most people, yes.

Morning cleansing is essential if your skin is oily or acne-prone. While you sleep, your skin continues to produce oil and sometimes sweat. Washing your face in the morning removes that excess oil and any impurities that have collected overnight, helping reduce the chance of clogged pores and new breakouts.

However, if your skin is extremely dry, itchy, or irritated, you may not need a full cleanse every morning. If you cleansed thoroughly the night before, you can simply rinse with water and apply moisturizer immediately after while your skin is still slightly damp.

What to look for in a cleanser

A good cleanser should thoroughly cleanse your skin, not strip it. Harsh cleansers will leave you feeling tight, dry, and irritated, because they remove too much of your skin's natural moisture.

The BASED Daily Facial Cleanser is designed to give you a thorough cleanse while helping maintain your skin barrier. It contains natural ingredients like:

• Willow Bark Extract to gently exfoliate and help keep pores clear

• Bamboo Charcoal to help absorb excess oil and impurities

• Green Tea Extract to help calm skin and defend against environmental stressors

• Glycerin to help maintain hydration after cleansing

The result is skin that feels clean, balanced, and comfortable, not overly tight and dry.

Step 2: Moisturizing

Moisturizer increases your skin’s hydration and supports your skin barrier, the outermost layer of your skin responsible for keeping it healthy and comfortable. Every skin type benefits from moisturizing, including oily and acne-prone skin. 

Why everyone should moisturize twice a day

Your skin is constantly losing water throughout the day through a natural process called transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Additionally, whenever your skin gets wet, like when you’re cleansing your face, water actually pulls some moisture out of your skin through evaporation.

For both of these reasons, it’s essential to replenish your skin’s hydration with a quality moisturizer twice a day. If not, your skin barrier can become weakened over time, leaving you more prone to dryness, irritation and breakouts. 

Think of moisturizer like a protective shield for your skin; it helps keep water in, and supports your skin barrier in keeping bad things, like irritants and environmental pollutants, out.

What to look for in a moisturizer

Your ideal moisturizer should lock in hydration and strengthen your skin barrier, without feeling too heavy, leaving your skin smooth, comfortable, and resilient.

The BASED Daily Facial Moisturizer was formulated to deliver lasting hydration while supporting the skin barrier. It contains natural ingredients like:

• Ceramide NP to strengthen and repair the skin barrier

• Squalane for lightweight hydration

• Rosehip Oil to nourish with antioxidants and essential fatty acids

• Panthenol (Vitamin B5) to soothe and support healthy skin

Our lightweight, non-comedogenic formula absorbs quickly and works well for all skin types. After applying, your skin will feel smooth and hydrated, without feeling overly greasy.

Pro Tip

Apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp, not soaking wet, after cleansing. Damp skin helps your moisturizer absorb more effectively while locking hydration into the skin for a healthier, supported skin barrier.

The 60-Second Version

1. Every effective skincare routine contains two essential steps: cleansing and moisturizing. 

2. Cleanse every night to remove oil, sweat, pollutants, and daily buildup before your skin repairs itself overnight. Most people should also cleanse every morning, especially if you have oily and/or acne-prone skin. If your skin is very dry or irritated, you can rinse with water and skip cleansing in the morning.

3. Moisturize twice a day, regardless of skin type, to help lock in hydration, and support your skin barrier.

4. Looking for an easy way to build your routine? The BASED Daily Skincare Duo has you covered.