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Skincare doesn't have to be complicated. Karen Alfonso has an easy guide

- Karen Alfonso

Skincare is a form of self-care, but it's easy to get intimidated by all the information out there. After all, there are dermats, influencers and celebrities all talking about their routines - some that entail seven steps, others 12. Intensive, right? Cut through the noise with this round-up of what you require.

CLEANSER

The first step of every routine, cleansing helps remove excess sebum, impurities and makeup. It's important to choose a cleanser that suits your skin type. Dr Nishita Ranka, Medical Director and Founder of Dr Nishita's for Skin, Hair & Aesthetics, Hyderabad, has the following suggestions, "For oily skin, it's important to choose a cleanser that can effectively remove excess oil without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. Look for ingredients such as salicylic acid or tea tree oil. Dry skin requires a cleanser that has any of the following ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin or aloe vera." For sensitive skin, she recommends picking fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products or something that contains calendula, which is known to be soothing.

When To Use: Morning and night

TONER

We've all learnt about the CTM - cleanse-tone-moisturise - routine. In the past, toners were often considered harsh on the skin, but have now been reformulated to be more hydrating. Toning also helps prep the skin to absorb more skincare.

When To Use: Morning and night

SERUM

A serum is vastly different from a moisturiser and should not be used interchangeably. Serums are packed with skin-friendly ingredients such as antioxidants and skin-replenishing ingredients such as ceramides that help restore the skin and repair the its barrier.

When To Use: Morning and night

MOISTURISER