Best Skincare Products: What I’d Actually Buy First Instead of Wasting Money
I think one of the biggest mistakes people make with skincare is buying too many products before they even know what their skin actually needs.
It is really easy to see a viral cleanser, a toner, a retinol, a blackhead product, a moisturiser, a lip mask, and suddenly think you need all of them. But most people do not need a huge routine. They need the right products in the right order.
If I were building a skincare routine from scratch, this is how I would think about the best skincare products to buy first.
1. Start with a gentle cleanser
A cleanser is usually the first product I would fix because everything else depends on it.
If your cleanser leaves your skin feeling tight, dry, squeaky, or uncomfortable, it may be too harsh. That can make every serum or treatment you add afterwards feel worse.
For dry or sensitive skin, I would look for something gentle and hydrating. For oily or acne-prone skin, I would still avoid anything that feels like it is stripping the skin completely. Clean skin should feel comfortable, not raw.
2. Add a makeup/SPF remover if needed
If you wear sunscreen, foundation, or long-wear makeup, a first cleanse can make a big difference.
Micellar water can be good for light makeup. A cleansing balm can be better if you wear heavier makeup or water-resistant SPF.
The important thing is not to scrub your face aggressively. Removing makeup should not feel like sanding your skin down.
3. Choose one product for blackheads or clogged pores
This is where a lot of people go wrong.
If you have blackheads or clogged pores, you probably do not need five different pore products. You may only need one salicylic acid or BHA product used carefully.
A BHA exfoliant can be useful because it is oil-soluble and can help with congestion. But using it too often can cause irritation, dryness, and barrier problems.
I would start slowly, maybe a few times a week, and see how the skin reacts.
4. Use moisturiser even if you have oily skin
A lot of oily-skinned people skip moisturiser because they think it will make them greasier. But dehydrated skin and oily skin can happen at the same time.
A moisturiser helps support the skin barrier. If your barrier is irritated, your skin may feel oily, dry, sensitive, and bumpy all at once.
Dry skin may need a richer cream. Oily skin may prefer a lightweight gel or lotion. Sensitive skin usually does better with something simple and not overloaded with fragrance.
5. Be careful with retinol
Retinol can be great for texture, fine lines, and smoother-looking skin, but it is not something I would throw into a routine too fast.
If you are already using exfoliating acids, acne treatments, or harsh cleansers, adding retinol on top can be too much.
If you try retinol, I would start at night, use it slowly, and moisturise well. Also, do not skip sunscreen in the morning.
6. Do not underestimate lip care
This sounds small, but dry lips can make your whole face feel less fresh.
A good lip balm or overnight lip mask can be useful, especially in winter or if you sleep in dry air. It is not the most exciting skincare category, but it is one people notice when they ignore it.
A simple routine that makes sense
If I wanted to keep things simple, I would build a routine like this:
Morning:
- Gentle cleanser or rinse, depending on skin type
- Moisturiser
- Sunscreen
Evening:
- Makeup/SPF remover if needed
- Gentle cleanser
- One treatment product if your skin needs it
- Moisturiser
- Lip balm or lip mask
That is enough for most people to start.
The biggest thing is to avoid buying everything at once. If you add five new products in one week and your skin breaks out or gets irritated, you will have no idea what caused it.
My honest rule for buying skincare
Before buying any skincare product, I would ask:
What job is this product doing?
If you cannot answer that yet, you don’t need it yet.
A cleanser cleans.
A moisturiser supports the barrier.
A BHA helps with clogged pores.
A retinol helps with texture and ageing concerns.
A lip mask helps dry lips.
A sunscreen protects everything else you are trying to improve.
That is how a routine starts to make sense.
I put together a fuller breakdown of skincare product types and how to choose them here: https://chipjourney.com/popular/best-skincare-products/
But the main idea is simple: the best skincare products are not always the most expensive or the most viral. They are the ones that fit your skin, solve one clear problem, and do not make your routine more confusing.
Posted Jun 23, 2026, 10:23 AM UTC