Hardly any term is used as often in the beauty world, and understood in as many different ways, as skincare. For some, it simply means cleansing and moisturising; for others, a multi step routine with serums, masks and targeted active ingredients. In this article, we answer the questions we receive most often: What does skincare actually include, does it really work, should you do it morning and evening, and what does a good order look like.
What does skincare include?
At its core, skincare consists of a few clearly defined steps. It starts with cleansing, to remove sebum, makeup and environmental particles from the skin. This is followed by a facial toner or tonic, which balances the pH value and prepares the skin for the next care steps. Next come targeted active ingredients in the form of serums, followed by the actual moisturiser and, in the morning, sun protection. Targeted care such as eye contour care, exfoliation or masks complements this foundation depending on the skin's needs, but is not a mandatory daily step.
What does skincare really do?
A regular care routine does not replace dermatological treatment, but it can achieve a great deal. It supports the skin's natural protective barrier, keeps it sufficiently hydrated and thereby makes it more resilient to external influences such as pollution, climate fluctuations or UV radiation. Over time, this contributes to a more even, more radiant complexion and can counteract visible signs of premature skin ageing. What matters most is not the number of products but their regularity and how well they are suited to your own skin type.
Which skincare is the best?
The honest answer is: there is no single best skincare, only the care that suits your skin type and your current skin needs. A rich cream that works wonders on dry skin can trigger exactly the opposite on oily or blemish prone skin. We have already explained in detail how to find the right texture and the right product for your skin type in our article on choosing between a day cream and a gel cream, as well as in our post on finding the right facial care.
Should you do skincare morning and evening?
Yes, although the focus differs depending on the time of day. In the morning, the focus is on protection, meaning hydration and sun protection, so that the skin gets through the day well. In the evening, thorough cleansing takes centre stage, so that the skin can recover and regenerate overnight from the stresses of the day. If you are short on time, you should hold on to your evening cleansing rather than skip it, because uncleansed skin can make overnight regeneration considerably more difficult.
What is a good skincare order?
As a rule of thumb: from the lightest to the richest texture. First you cleanse, then comes the toner, followed by the serum with its concentrated active ingredients, then the moisturiser and, in the morning, sun protection as the final step. You will find the exact steps and how to best adapt them to your skin in detail in our article on the most important steps of a facial care routine.