Building a skin care routine

Cleanse with something matched to your skin: salicylic acid for congestion, AHA with niacinamide for dullness, a jelly cleanser for sensitivity. Treat with one serum. Protect with a moisturiser that contains ceramides, and sunscreen every morning.

Vitamin C in the morning, on clean dry skin, before moisturiser. Hyaluronic acid on damp skin, any time. Do not stack a strong exfoliating acid and vitamin C in the same routine while your skin is adjusting — alternate days instead.

Pigmentation takes 8 to 12 weeks to shift. Acne takes a full skin cycle, about 6 weeks. Changing products every fortnight is the most common reason a routine appears not to work.