Building a Simple Skincare Routine (That You Super Love & Stick With)
The era of the 12-step routine is over. Too often, it creates overwhelm, wastes money, and leads people to layer products that quietly cancel each other out or strip the skin dry. I see it all the time, and it breaks my heart.
A good skincare routine should feel like a best friend. Steady. Reliable. Cheering you on from the bathroom mirror.
So let’s clear the clutter on your countertop. Here’s a simple, esthetician-approved routine with a few optional upgrades if you’re ready to glow a little harder, plus exactly what to look for and what to skip at each step.
Step 1: Cleanse
Your cleanser is your reset button. Gentle always wins.
Look for:
Creamy, milky, or gel cleansers labeled gentle, hydrating, or pH-balanced
Soothing ingredients like aloe, coconut, oat, glycerin, or chamomile
Oil cleansers with jojoba, sunflower, or coconut-derived esters for makeup removal
Avoid:
Foaming cleansers with SLS or SLES (tight, squeaky skin is a red flag)
Heavy fragrance, drying alcohols, and harsh “acne washes” that sting or burn
Anything that leaves your skin dry, tight, flaky, or shiny in a depleted way
Personal note: A super-soft washcloth is underrated magic. I use a fresh one daily to gently remove makeup and give my skin a clean sweep. Keep it soft and keep it clean. TJ Maxx’s towel section remains undefeated for unlimited options without breaking the budget.
Makeup wearers & SPF lovers: Double cleanse. It doesn’t have to be complicated or involve two different products. Simply cleanse, then cleanse again.
Heavy makeup days: Primer, full foundation, powder, bronzer, liquid liner, waterproof mascara? That’s when I recommend starting with an oil-based cleanser, cleansing cream, or even a straight oil like jojoba or coconut. Massage it over your face, neck, and jawline, gently wipe away with your soft washcloth, then follow with your regular gentle cleanser. Your cheeks, jawline, and pillowcases will thank you. (I use, of course, use Cap’n Coconut Body Balm for my oil cleanser/makeup remover).
Step 2: Tone
Toner might be the most misunderstood step in skincare. Think of it as a tall glass of water your skin didn’t realize it needed.
A good toner rebalances, hydrates, and preps the skin so everything that follows works even beter. I believe toner should feel like a splash of deliciousness.
Look for:
Alcohol-free formulas
Ingredients like aloe, cucumber, hibiscus, hyaluronic acid, flower or cactus waters, CBD, or sea minerals
Bonus points for a mist format. Spa energy matters.
Avoid:
Astringents that sting or smell like nail polish remover
Witch hazel high on the ingredient list (it’s drying when overused)
“Pore-tightening” claims with zero hydration behind them
After cleansing, gently pat skin dry. Spritz or swipe toner across the face, jawline, and chest. This area is often forgotten, and a little hydration goes a long way. If using a cotton pad, you may notice leftover makeup residue. That’s normal. Spritz again if your skin wants more.
Step 3: Serum
This is where focused nourishment happens. Serums deliver concentrated ingredients deeper into the skin, like a green juice for your face.
Paired with a brief facial massage, this step boosts circulation, supports the skin barrier, and adds a quiet glow that builds over time.
Look for:
Hydrating
Hyaluronic acid
Panthenol (Provitamin B5)
Beta-glucan (from oats, mushrooms, or yeast. Elite hydrators)
Brightening
Vitamin C
Licorice root
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
Calming
Plumeria
Calendula
Green tea
Gentle glow
Fruit enzymes like papaya or pineapple
Avoid:
Highly reactive actives if your skin is sensitive
Layering multiple serums at once
One serum is usually plenty. Piling actives can overwhelm your skin barrier and quietly undo all your good intentions.
Step 4: Moisturize
Seal it all in. A great moisturizer leaves skin feeling plump, calm, and content. A happy grape, as we say in Cap’n land.
Look for:
Lightweight, quick-absorbing formulas if you’re oily
Dreamier creams if you’re dry
Ingredients like watermelon, squalane, ceramides, jojoba, or mango oil
A texture you genuinely enjoy using every day
Avoid:
Formulas that pill under makeup
Waxy or silicone-heavy moisturizers that sit on top without absorbing
Artificial fragrance overload
Step 5: SPF
SPF is your bodyguard.
You can have the world's most beautiful routine, but if you're not protecting your skin, you're making the job much harder.
Look for:
Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher
Formulas you'll actually wear every day
Lightweight textures that feel comfortable on your skin
Mineral or chemical options that fit your lifestyle and preferences
Reef Safe is always preferred!
Avoid:
Saving SPF only for beach days
Products that feel thick or heavy that feel sticky. These will clog you all up.
The best sunscreen is the one you'll consistently use, is lightweight, and won’t harm the ocean.
Extras (When You’re Feeling Fancy)
✨ Exfoliation | 1–2x per week
Physical exfoliants: smooth, round particles like jojoba beads or fine sugar and honey. No jagged shells. No coffee scrubs on your face.
Chemical exfoliants: AHAs, BHAs, or fruit enzymes. Use at night, then moisturize well afterward.
Redness, flaking, or tightness means you’re doing too much.
🧖♀️ Masks
Hydrating: when skin feels parched
Clay: for oilier or congested areas only
Anti-aging: peptides, antioxidants, or gentle retinol alternatives like bakuchiol
💆 Facial massage
My favorite step and the most underrated. Facial massage boosts circulation, supports lymphatic flow, sculpts, de-puffs, and calms the nervous system. Use upward strokes with your serum or oil. Three minutes is enough. Do this before moisturizing.
Morning vs. Evening
Morning
Cleanse
Tone
Serum
Moisturize
SPF
Evening
Double cleanse (if needed)
Tone
Serum
Moisturize
Optional extras
You don’t need every product under the sun. You need a dopamine-fueled routine you’ll keep and enjoy.
Skincare is about presence. Each step is a small reminder that you deserve care. Every time you wash your face, you’re saying: I’m showing up for myself today.
🧴 Want to try Cap’n Coconut’s facial line? Our mini sets are the perfect way to start fresh.
💌 Need help choosing products? Email me. I would love to help.
🌴 Already loving your routine? Take a peek at the next post below for more tips.
