Most people overcomplicate skincare. They buy eight products because an Instagram reel told them to, layer them in the wrong order, and then wonder why their skin looks worse after a month. Others do nothing at all and assume genetics will handle everything.

Neither approach works. Here's what does.

A cleanser, a moisturiser, and a sunscreen. That's the entire routine for most people. Everything else — serums, toners, essences, masks — is optional. If your skin is clear and you just want to maintain it, those three are enough. Add products one at a time, wait two weeks between each, and stop adding once your skin looks the way you want.

Bar soap has a pH of 9-10. Your skin sits around pH 5.5. Every time you wash your face with soap, you strip the acid mantle — the thin layer that keeps bacteria out and moisture in. It rebuilds in a few hours, but if you're doing this twice daily, your skin never fully recovers.

Use a gentle face wash with a pH between 4.5 and 6. Gel-based for oily skin, cream-based for dry. The foaming ones feel satisfying but most contain sodium lauryl sulphate, which is the same degreaser in dish soap. You don't need that on your face.

Indian summers in Gujarat hit 42°C with 70% humidity. A thick cream that works in December will feel like paste in May. Switch to a lighter formula — gel-based or water-based — from March through September. Go back to something richer when the air dries out in winter.

Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid (pulls moisture from the air into your skin), niacinamide (controls oil, reduces redness), and ceramides (repair the skin barrier). Skip anything with added fragrance if your skin is sensitive.

UV damage is the single biggest cause of premature ageing, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. It happens even on cloudy days and through window glass. Every dermatologist will tell you the same thing: wear sunscreen daily, reapply every two hours if you're outdoors.

SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 blocks about 98%. The difference is small, so don't stress about the number — stress about actually wearing it. The best sunscreen is the one you'll use every day. If it leaves a white cast or feels greasy and you hate putting it on, you'll stop using it by week two.

Gujarat in May is not London in October. Heavy, rich creams that work in European winter become suffocating in 35°C humidity. Go lighter in summer — aquatic, citrus, or gel-based products. Save the thick creams and heavy oils for December through February. And apply less. Two pumps of moisturiser, not six. Your skin doesn't need a mask; it needs a thin layer.

If you have persistent acne that hasn't responded to over-the-counter salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide after 6-8 weeks, see a dermatologist. Same for sudden rashes, unexplained pigmentation changes, or any mole that changes shape. Skincare products are for maintenance. They're not medicine. Don't try to treat a medical condition with a serum.