Maintaining a fresh complexion starts with the right skincare.

But less is often more, says one specialist, explaining the five steps he thinks everyone – men and women – needs to take to get the best out of their skin.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and is exposed to various stresses every day.

To keep it healthy in the long term and give it a fresh, glowing appearance, it’s worth investing in a daily skincare routine.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money or time on it, however. In five coordinated steps, you can cleanse, care for and protect your skin.

Cleanse your skin

“A thorough cleansing is essential,” says make-up artist Lukas Wythe.

Using a cleanser in the morning helps remove sebum, sweat and residue from the night before.

In the evening it frees the skin of make-up, environmental particles and sunscreen.

The expert recommends using a gentle oil-based cleanser or cleansing balm.

“Many people use products that are overly aggressive, which can cause dry or irritated skin.”

If your skin feels ‘tight’ or you notice it getting red after cleansing, you should switch to a gentler formulation.

Pro tip – for heavily made-up skin, double cleansing is recommended, first with an oil-based product, followed by a water-based cleanser.

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Apply a toner

Next comes a toner. This is a skincare step that is often skipped, but it serves an important function, says Whyte.

“A good toner helps stabilise the skin’s pH and prepares it for the next steps.”

At the same time, it removes excess limescale and dirt that may remain on the skin after cleansing.

It’s important to avoid toners that contain alcohol. Instead, Whyte recommends formulas with soothing ingredients such as rose water, camomile or aloe vera, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Apply a serum

A serum is a highly concentrated skincare product specifically tailored to different skin needs.

“They’re like a superfood for the skin,” Wythe explains.

Different ingredients can be beneficial depending on the skin type.

Hyaluronic acid, for example, provides intensive moisture, while niacinamide has a balancing effect and can refine the appearance of the skin.

If you have blemishes, you should use a serum with vitamin C, while retinol can minimise fine lines on mature skin.

However, powerful active ingredients like retinol should be used with caution.

“For sensitive skin in particular, it’s better to start with a low dosage and avoid combining several active ingredients at once,” the expert says.

To add a serum to your skincare routine, it’s important to research your serum and choose it carefully, apply it correctly and consistently and eventually add other serums if needed.

Use a moisturiser

The fourth step is a moisturiser, which seals in the serum’s active ingredients and protects the skin barrier. The moisturiser you should use depends on your skin type: Dry skin benefits from rich formulations that contain squalane, ceramides or panthenol.

Oily skin, on the other hand, needs light, non-comedogenic products that won’t clog the pores. Here too, less is more.

“Some people use too much moisturiser and apply it too often, which can lead to irritated skin,” Whyte says.

“It’s important to listen to your skin and adapt your skincare regimen to its condition.”

For nighttime, the expert recommends a slightly richer moisturiser or cream, as the skin regenerates while you sleep.

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Apply sunscreen

The last and perhaps most important step in your morning skincare routine is sunscreen.

“UV radiation from the sun is one of the main causes of ageing skin, dark spots and blemishes and skin cancer,” Wythe explains.

Even on cloudy days or in cold weather, the skin is exposed to UV rays.

This is why sunscreen with at least SPF 30 should be a part of your daily skincare routine all year round.

The expert recommends a lightweight sunscreen that absorbs well and can be worn under make-up. – dpa