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4 easy steps to transform your skin in 2025, according to a dermatologist

Of all the many questions I’m asked as a beauty editor, the most common by far is: “What’s the best skin care routine?” Since no one wants to shell out cash for expensive, annoying-to-use products and few of us have the time — or the patience— for a complex 10+ step Korean skin care plan (double cleansing, come on!), I always answer this question the same way: Keep it simple. As it turns out, most dermatologists agree with my philosophy.

Quick Overview

“When it comes to good skin care habits at any age, it’s important to just nail down the basics,” says Dr. Melanie Palm, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at San Diego’s Art of Skin MD. “This means having a quality cleanser, a retinoid product, a serum with active ingredients that address your skin needs, a moisturizer to help seal in hydration and protect your skin barrier and a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Thanks to product innovations in the skin-care industry, all of these products are easily accessible at all price points — and there are a lot of super effective, derm-tested options at the drug store level.”

Depending on your skin type, Palm advocates for the use of serums with active ingredients like vitamin C (an antioxidant that protects your skin from free radicals and results in brightening effects) or niacinamide (a form of vitamin B-3 that supports the skin barrier and reduces inflammation). “I always recommend incorporating one new active ingredient at a time to ensure you’re giving your skin time to acclimate,” she says. “This method also prevents you from compromising your skin barrier.”

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And, if you’re over the age of 40, she suggests one additional step: “While there’s no one-size-fits-all advice, generally I find that mature skin can benefit from regular gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, brighten the complexion and prepare the skin to better absorb skin care products. I recommend chemical exfoliation — which is a method of removing dead skin with chemical exfoliants, such as glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid — over physical exfoliation like scrubs or abrasive towels to shed the top layers of the skin.”

For those keeping score at home, the easiest way to transform your skin goes something like this:

Morning:

  • Apply serum

  • Moisturize

Evening:

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  • Apply retinoid

  • Moisturize

If a 4-step routine still seems too complicated, Palm says there’s one single, absolute, anti-aging must-have: “Wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher daily is a non-negotiable for me. If you aren’t protecting your skin from UV damage, all your best efforts — skin care, diet, lasers, injectables — are going down the drain. For really sunny days, I like to double up and wear UPF clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves or driving gloves while I’m in the car.”

Read on for Palm’s specific product recommendations and remember: When it comes to finding the ideal skin care regimen at any age, the best products for you are those you can both afford and you’ll actually, consistently use.

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