We consider ourselves quite the skincare fanatics here at Byrdie HQ—it’s hard not to be when our desks look like they could be featured in an episode of Hoarders: Skincare Edition (currently in the process of pitching that idea to A&E). However, we are well aware that our plight is a unique one and that the average woman is more concerned about what to use on her face rather than where to store her eighth cleanser of the week.

Thus, we present to you our guide to a daily skincare routine for every skin type. With the expertise of skin guru and esthetician Renée Rouleau, we’ve put together the exact types of products (plus our best product picks, of course!) you should be looking for based on your particular skin type.

Most people should be using a cleanser, a toner, and a moisturizer day (with SPF) and night (a creamier, richer one). For some of you, you'll be sprinkling some serums in there, too—antioxidants for day and retinol while you sleep. And everyone gets some extra à la carte options, because indulgent skin care is the best kind, in our humble opinion.

We’re hoping to help you take the guesswork out of your a.m. and p.m. skin routines and explain why those with dry skin should use a cleansing milk or why anyone with sensitive skin should try a gel-based mask (serious game changer, by the way).

Curious? Keep scrolling for the best skincare routine for every skin type.

Balanced Skin

You might find the word "normal" as a skin type classifier on product packaging, but no one actually has perfectly normal skin. However, if your skin isn’t particularly oily or dry, and if anti-aging, acne, and sensitivity aren’t concerns on your radar, then you have what we consider to be "balanced skin."

Your Menu

Cleanser (Morning/Night): A sulfate-free cleanser with a gentle lather, like Renée Rouleau’s Purifying Face Wash or Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, promises to help keep your skin blemish-free.

Toner (Morning/Night): Avoid ingredients like SD alcohol 40, denatured alcohol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol; “These [ingredients] are commonly found in toners and should be avoided,” Rouleau cautions. Try Cremorlab Mineral Treatment Essence for a boost of energizing, brightening hydration.

Moisturizer With SPF (Morning): “When you moisturize, do two applications, one on the face and one on the neck," Rouleau says. She adds, "Sun protection isn’t just about the number—it’s about how generously you apply it.” A light moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30 will protect your skin from the sun and hydrate without clogging your pores. Rouleau suggests looking for ingredients like dimethicone, panthenol, and sodium hyaluronate (also known as hyaluronic acid).

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