Guys I’m completely new to skincare and trying to understand where to start 😭

For basically 20 years my skincare routine has been just Mysore Sandal Soap and confidence. Recently I started seeing people talk about facewash, sunscreen, niacinamide, salicylic acid, Vitamin C, moisturizers, serums etc. and now I’m lowkey overwhelmed because every product sounds like chemistry lab equipment 💀

Skin details:

* Combination skin
* Slightly oily forehead and nose
* No acne/pimples
* No dry skin
* Mild dark circles
* Some tanning + uneven dullness

Earlier my skin used to look brighter, but now I feel like sun exposure + zero skincare has made it look more dull/tanned over time.

My main goals are:

* Healthier/brighter looking skin
* Reducing tan/dullness
* Cleaner and smoother face
* Preventing future dark spots/pigmentation
* Overall “this guy finally drinks water and uses sunscreen” type glow 😭

I’m not asking for a full personalized routine, but I’d like to understand:

* Which basic products are actually necessary for beginners
* Which ingredients are beginner friendly
* Whether ingredients like niacinamide/salicylic acid/Vitamin C are useful for my skin type
* Good beginner product recommendations/experiences

I’ve seen brands like Cetaphil, Simple, Minimalist, etc. mentioned a lot but don’t know what’s genuinely useful vs marketing.

Would love to hear what helped you guys when starting skincare as a complete beginner 🙏

My skincare routine has been “soap and prayers” for 20 years. Help me 😭