The four things that matter
A budget routine needs four things, bought in this order: sunscreen, a gentle cleanser, a basic fragrance-free moisturiser, and one active chosen for your main concern. Add nothing else until these have had 8-12 weeks. Sunscreen matters most, for skin health and for every kind of dark spot.
- 1Sunscreen: the most important step for skin health and for every kind of dark spot; wear it every morning
- 2Gentle cleanser: use it once or twice a day
- 3Moisturiser: a basic, fragrance-free one is enough for most skin
- 4One active, chosen for your main concern (see the list below)
Choosing one active
Choose one active by concern: niacinamide or salicylic acid for oil and enlarged pores, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or adapalene for breakouts, vitamin C, niacinamide or azelaic acid for dark spots, and a retinoid started slowly at night for dullness and fine lines.
- Oil and enlarged pores
- Niacinamide or salicylic acid
- Breakouts
- Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or adapalene
- Dark spots and uneven tone
- Vitamin C, niacinamide or azelaic acid
- Dullness and fine lines
- A retinoid, started slowly at night
What to skip for now
To save money, skip long ten-step routines, several actives at once, expensive products that mainly add fragrance or packaging, and switching products every week before any has had time to work. A short routine used consistently beats a long one used occasionally.
- Long ten-step routines
- Several actives at once
- Expensive products that only add fragrance or packaging
- Switching products every week before any has had time to work
Get a routine for your own skin
Saundarya AI is an AI skin analysis and grooming app that reads a single selfie and returns a personalised report: face shape, skin type, detected skin concerns with the visual evidence behind them, a morning and night skincare routine, product picks at three budgets, and an 8-week improvement plan.
Generic advice is a starting point. A scan reads your skin and a routine at three budgets on your own face, shows the visual evidence and a confidence score, and builds a morning and night routine around it. The first full analysis is free.
This is general cosmetic guidance, not medical advice. See a dermatologist for skin that is painful, spreading, scarring or not improving after 8-12 weeks.