A beginner's skincare routine for Indian skin

You do not need ten products for good skin. A skincare routine for Indian skin can start with a face wash, a moisturiser and a sunscreen. Indian weather brings heat, humidity, dust and pollution, so even this small routine, done daily, can make a visible difference over a few weeks.

Know your skin type first

Oily skin looks shiny by midday and has visible pores. Dry skin feels tight after washing and may flake. Combination skin is oily on the forehead and nose but normal or dry on the cheeks. Sensitive skin reacts to new products or fragrance, usually with redness or stinging.

Not sure? Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, pat dry and apply nothing for an hour. If it feels tight, you lean dry. If it shines, you lean oily. If both happen in different places, you are combination.

Morning routine

Start with a mild face wash and lukewarm or cool water. Hot water strips skin, so skip it. Follow with a moisturiser. Oily skin still needs moisture, and a light gel suits it well, while dry skin usually likes a creamier lotion.

Sunscreen is the step people skip, and it matters most. Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen, apply it last and reapply if you are outdoors for a long stretch. Sunlight reaches your skin through clouds and through office windows too.

Night routine

Remove sunscreen and makeup first, with a cleansing balm or micellar water if you wear either, then wash your face as usual. If your basics feel comfortable after a few weeks, you can add one active ingredient for a specific problem such as acne or dullness. Introduce it slowly, perhaps two nights a week, and never start two new products on the same night. Finish with moisturiser.

Adjusting for Indian weather

In peak summer, switch to lighter textures, wash off sweat in the evening and carry blotting papers. During the monsoon, skip heavy layering and keep your skin clean, since humidity and sweat can clog pores. Winter air is dry, so use a richer moisturiser, avoid very hot showers and remember your lips and hands. Dust and pollution are year-round in many cities, which makes an honest evening cleanse more useful than an extra serum.

Give each new step at least two weeks before you judge it. Skin renews slowly, and changing three things at once makes it impossible to know which one helped or which one irritated. Take a photo in the same light once a week if you want an honest record, and stop any product that stings or burns.

How to patch test

Dab a small amount of the new product behind your ear or on your inner forearm. Leave it for 24 hours. Redness, itching or swelling means you should not use it on your face.

Common beginner mistakes

• Starting five new products in the same week.
• Skipping sunscreen because the day looks cloudy.
• Scrubbing hard or washing the face six times a day.
• Expecting results in three days, when skin usually needs weeks.
• Copying a friend's routine without checking your own skin type.

Where Asort fits in

Asort.com has a Beauty and Skincare category covering skincare, cosmetics, perfumes and men's grooming, and Asort has a beauty label called Amiiga. We have not tested any product, so read the ingredient list and product details on the official store before you buy. For more, see the Asort beauty blog, our notes on an Amiiga kajal, and the Mr Huffman grooming routine.

This article is general information and not medical advice. If you have painful acne, recurring rashes or a skin condition, ask a qualified dermatologist.