When it comes to achieving healthy, glowing skin, the foundation lies in building a skincare routine that actually works for you. With so many products and conflicting advice out there, it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin.
To cut through the noise, one of Sydney’s most sought-after cosmetic doctors, Dr Amy Chahal of FutureSkin, shares her expert insights on how to design the perfect skincare routine. Drawing on her experience in both medical aesthetics and intentional skin health, Dr Amy explains the essentials for creating a routine that’s simple, effective, and tailored to your unique skin needs.
Your skin is talking. Are you listening?
From breakouts to that tight, dry feeling after cleansing, it’s always offering clues about what it needs. And spoiler alert: the answer isn’t in that “miracle” cream you saw while doom-scrolling TikTok last night. What actually works? A routing tailored to your unique skin needs.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining what’s already on your shelf, here’s how to craft a skincare routine that might just change your life:
Begin with Intel, Not Impulse
If you’ve ever had an add-to-cart moment after one too many scrolls, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: your skin isn’t the same as that influencer’s–so your perfect routine won’t be hiding in her 100th reel. Finding it starts with real-life, personalised intel.
Before you spend a cent on products, book a proper skin analysis. Tools like a Skinscope can reveal what’s happening beneath the surface, including sun damage, congestion, and dehydration. These are things your bathroom mirror can’t catch.
Once you know what you’re dealing with, choose one or two main concerns to target. Pigmentation, breakouts, or premature ageing are good examples. Clarity here means you’ll build a routine with purpose instead of throwing products at your skin and hoping for the best.
Morning = Protect. Night = Correct.
Let this guide you. Your morning routine is about shielding your skin from the day ahead. Your evening routine is where the real correction happens.
In the morning, keep it simple and strong:
- Start with a gentle cleanse
- Follow with an antioxidant serum (vitamin C is a great place to begin)
- Apply a lightweight moisturiser or hydrator
- Finish with broad-spectrum SPF 50+, even if you’re indoors or it’s cloudy
In the evening, it’s about repair:
- Double cleanse, especially if you wear SPF or makeup
- Apply your corrective active such as a retinoid, AHA/BHA, or peptide serum
- Finish with a barrier-restoring moisturiser
Layer Your Skincare Like a Pro
Apply products from thinnest to thickest. Water-based serums should come before oils or creams. Actives like acids or retinoids work best on clean, dry skin. Moisturiser helps seal them in and protect the barrier.
Introduce actives slowly. If you’re starting retinoids, begin with 2-3 nights a week and build your tolerance over time. If your skin becomes red or irritated, buffer the active with moisturiser. More is not always better and redness does not equal progress. Steady, gradual and consistent use gets you further.
Budget Where It Matters
Not every step in your routine needs a luxury price tag. Invest in serums with hardworking actives like antioxidants, retinoids, or growth factors–these are the ingredients that drive real results. When it comes to cleansers and moisturisers, keep it simple and effective. Think performance over packaging.
Adjust with the Seasons (and Your Season of Life)
Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all. In summer, go lighter with gel textures and focus on antioxidant protection. If you’re post-menopausal, look for rich creams with ceramides and firming peptides. Pregnant? Swap retinoids for pregnancy-safe alternatives like bakuchiol or azelaic acid (and always check with your doctor or dermatologist).
Be Careful with Product Combinations
Avoid layering strong exfoliants such as AHAs or BHAs with high-strength retinoids in the same session. Overdoing it can damage your skin barrier and stall progress. Skip aggressive scrubs, heavily fragranced products, and viral skincare “hacks.” If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Treatments Are the Reset Button
Think of in-clinic treatments as a way to press reset on stubborn concerns like pigmentation or texture. Once you’ve treated the issue, your at-home routine helps maintain the results.
Lifestyle: The Invisible Step
No serum will cancel out daily sun exposure, a processed diet, or chronic stress. Studies show that UV exposure dictates 80% of visible aging. Make SPF your BFF–it’s the ultimate anti-aging product–never go anywhere without it. Nourish your skin from within by prioritising protein, colourful vegetables, and omega-3s. And don’t underestimate the power of quality sleep and stress management. Healthy skin genuinely starts from within.
Revisit Your Routine
Check in with your skin every 6 to 12 months. It changes with age, hormones, and the seasons, so your routine should evolve too. If you’re unsure what your skin needs, speak to a professional. A good cosmetic doctor or dermal therapist can translate the science into a simple plan and help you avoid expensive trial and error.
Because the perfect skincare routine isn’t about perfection. It’s about knowing your skin, listening to it, and giving it exactly what it needs.
If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of skincare, you can visit FutureSkin at Rosebery Engine Yards, NSW – a first-of-its-kind space in Australia where medical-grade skincare meets luxurious treatments. Under the expertise of Dr Amy and her team, you’ll find not just products and treatments, but a personalised pathway to your best skin yet.
Discover Future Skin HERE
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