We're sure you’ve seen them: 12-step routines, bathroom shelves overflowing with serums, influencers layering acids on top of retinoids, followed by oils, mists and masks. Sometimes it feels like the modern skincare routine has become less about skin, and more about ritual or overconsumption. Somewhere along the way, many people lost sight of what their skin actually needs.
Here at The Hampton Clinic, we see from clients who do the bare minimum to those who come in with a spreadsheet of skincare product they use. We're here to say that more doesn’t always mean better. Sometimes, it means irritated, overwhelmed, barrier-compromised skin that just needs a break to thrive.
So how many steps do you actually need? And what makes a routine effective?
Start With Function
A good skincare routine should do three things: protect, treat and support. Everything else is extra.
Protection means sun protection and environmental defence. Treatment means targeting specific concerns like pigmentation, acne or ageing. Support is your baseline: cleansing, hydrating, and strengthening the skin barrier. When you start looking at your products through that lens, it becomes easier to separate what’s useful from what’s just marketing.
Nothing substitutes the personalised guidance of a skin expert (that's why we're here!), but we've put together some tips on how to create a skincare routine that works for you.
Cleanse Properly
Double cleansing is helpful at night, especially if you wear SPF or makeup. But harsh cleansers, over-cleansing, or using exfoliating washes twice a day can do more harm than good. A gentle, non-stripping cleanser that leaves your skin feeling clean but not tight is all you need.
You Probably Don’t Need Three Serums
This is where things often go sideways... Clients bring in hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides, AHA blends, and a retinal serum all in one routine. These ingredients are all excellent, but too many actives layered together can irritate or just end up being redundant.
Instead, ask yourself 'what is my main concern?' and choose your products wisely around that.
The Skin Barrier
When the barrier is compromised (which often happens from over-exfoliating, over-cleansing, or over-layering), skin becomes more reactive, sensitive and prone to breakouts or redness.
A healthy skin barrier keeps moisture in and irritants out. Ceramides, niacinamide, and fatty acid-rich moisturisers help support this. But even more importantly: sometimes, the best way to protect your barrier is to do less.
SPF is Non-Negotiable
If your skincare routine doesn’t include sunscreen, it’s incomplete. Period. No serum can undo UV damage. And your makeup with SPF 15 isn’t enough.
Daily SPF (even when it’s cloudy) is one of the best things you can do for your skin long-term. It prevents pigmentation, slows collagen breakdown, and protects against skin cancer.
Building a Realistic Routine
We often tell clients to think in layers of priority:
Essential - Cleanser, moisturiser, SPF.
Targeted - One of two active ingredients to treat a main concern.
Bonus - Occasional extras (masks or treatments) if they serve a purpose.
Most people only need a few well-chosen products, used consistently.
If your skin feels constantly irritated, if you keep trying new things without seeing results, or if you feel overwhelmed by skincare, it’s probably time to pause and get some guidance.
At The Hampton Clinic, we offer through consultation and assessment to help you understand what your skin actually needs and what it doesn’t, and create a treatment plan that simplifies, not complicates.
A skincare routine should support your skin. Strip it back. Keep what works. Let go of what doesn’t serve a purpose. Your skin will thank you!