“From Breakouts to Glow-Ups: 7 Skincare Habits That Actually Work (No Gimmicks!)”
Let’s be real , skincare can feel overwhelming.
One minute you’re layering serums, the next you’re wondering if that “miracle” product on TikTok is just another scam. If your skin still breaks out despite the effort (and cash) you’re putting in you’re not alone.
Here’s the good news: great skin isn’t about having 10 products. It’s about building smart skincare habits that actually work for your skin type.
Below, we’re breaking down 7 dermatologist-approved habits that can take you from breakouts to glow-ups for real.
1. Know Your Skin Type (Stop Guessing!)
Before buying anything, understand your skin type. Is it oily, dry, combination, or sensitive? Knowing this helps you choose the right cleanser, moisturizer, and active ingredients that actually help instead of harm.
Before buying anything, understand your skin type. Is it oily, dry, combination, or sensitive? Knowing this helps you choose the right cleanser, moisturizer, and active ingredients that actually help instead of harm.
To identify your skin type:
- Wash your face with a mild cleanser and wait for 30 minutes.
- If your face feels tight or flaky, you likely have dry skin.
- If it looks shiny, especially around the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), you probably have oily skin.
- If some parts are dry and others oily, it’s combination skin.
- If your skin gets red, itchy, or irritated easily, you may have sensitive skin.
Pro Tip: Always tailor your skincare products to your skin type to avoid breakouts, irritation, or wasting money on the wrong formulas.
2. Cleanse Twice a Day (But Don’t Over Do It)
Washing your face might seem like a no-brainer, but doing it the right way and not too often makes a big difference. The sweet spot? Twice a day. In the morning, it clears away overnight oil and sweat. At night, it removes makeup, sunscreen, and all the dirt your skin’s picked up during the day. It’s the first step to keeping breakouts and dull skin at bay.
But here’s the catch: over-cleansing or using harsh, foamy cleansers (especially ones with alcohol or sulfates) can strip your skin’s natural oils. That can lead to dryness, irritation, or even more oil production. The fix? Use a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser that suits your skin type. Oily skin? Go for gel or foam with salicylic acid or niacinamide. Dry or sensitive skin? Creamy, hydrating cleansers with ceramides or aloe are your best bet. Combo skin? Look for a balanced formula.
Always wash with lukewarm water (not hot!), and massage the cleanser in for about a minute. If you wear makeup or SPF, consider double cleansing at night. And remember pat your skin dry, don’t rub. A simple, consistent routine like this sets the stage for every other product to do its job better.
3. Hydration is Key Even for Oily Skin
If you’ve been skipping moisturizer because you think it’ll make your skin oilier or cause more acne, it’s time to rethink that. The truth is, hydration is essential even for oily and acne-prone skin. When your skin lacks moisture, it goes into panic mode and starts producing even more oil to compensate. This extra oil can clog pores and lead to breakouts, making the problem worse.
Instead of skipping this step, choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that’s designed not to clog pores. Look for gel or water-based formulas with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which draws moisture into the skin, or niacinamide, which helps balance oil production and calms redness.
Hydrated skin is healthy skin and when your skin is properly moisturized, it actually becomes less oily over time and more resilient against irritation and acne.
4. Sunscreen = Your BFF (Every. Single. Day.)
Sunscreen isn’t just for beach days it’s a daily essential if you care about your skin’s long-term health. Sun damage goes way beyond sunburn. It speeds up premature aging, deepens fine lines, triggers dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and can even make acne scars more stubborn and harder to fade.
Even if you mostly stay indoors, UV rays can still reach your skin through windows, especially UVA rays the ones responsible for aging and pigmentation. That’s why it’s so important to apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every single morning, rain or shine.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, go for a lightweight, matte-finish, or gel-based sunscreen that won’t clog your pores. There are plenty of non-greasy, non-comedogenic options out there that feel like nothing on your skin.
Sunscreen is one of the most effective and affordable ways to protect your glow and slow down the signs of aging. So if you’re investing in serums and treatments, don’t let all that effort go to waste. No sunscreen = no results.
5. Start Slow with Active Ingredients
When you’re excited about skincare, it’s tempting to try everything all at once retinol, niacinamide, salicylic acid, AHAs the whole squad. But trust us, your skin doesn’t need (or want) a full science lab overnight. In fact, using too many actives too fast can lead to irritation, breakouts, dryness, and even damage your skin barrier.
The smarter approach? Start slow and build gradually. Introduce one active ingredient at a time so you can see how your skin reacts. For example, you might start with niacinamide to help with uneven skin tone and redness. If your main concern is acne, salicylic acid is a great place to start it helps clear out pores and reduce inflammation.
Once your skin gets used to that ingredient usually after 2 to 4 weeks and you’re seeing positive changes (and no irritation), then consider adding another. This way, you can tell what’s actually working and avoid overwhelming your skin.
Also, be mindful of combinations. Some ingredients don’t play well together like retinol and strong acids, or vitamin C and niacinamide, depending on the formulation. If you’re unsure, start with a simple routine and slowly level up as your skin adjusts.
Skincare is a marathon, not a sprint. Give your skin time to breathe, adapt, and respond.
6. Stop Touching Your Face (We See You)
We get it sometimes you don’t even realize you’re doing it. Resting your chin on your hand, picking at a blemish, or just absentmindedly brushing your face throughout the day. But here’s the deal: your hands carry oil, dirt, and bacteria that don’t belong on your skin especially if you’re acne-prone.
Touching your face can clog pores, trigger inflammation, and spread bacteria, which means more breakouts in places you weren’t even expecting. It’s one of those small habits that can quietly undo all your skincare efforts.
And let’s not forget about your phone. That screen? It touches your face and collects everything from makeup residue to sweat to germs you picked up from public surfaces. Wipe it down regularly with alcohol wipes or a screen-safe cleaner, especially if you make frequent calls or hold it close to your cheek.
Keeping your hands off your face and your phone clean won’t magically clear your skin overnight, but it definitely helps reduce the chances of unwanted breakouts and it’s one of the easiest habits to change.
7. Consistency Expensive Products
You don’t need expensive, luxury-brand skincare to get real results. Sure, they may come in beautiful packaging or have trendy ingredients but at the end of the day, what truly transforms your skin is consistency.
A basic routine that you follow every day like cleansing, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen will always do more for your skin than a 10-step routine you only use once in a while. Your skin thrives on habits, not occasional “treatments.”
Focus on the essentials that work for your skin type and stick with them. Give products time to show results usually 4 to 6 weeks and don’t rush to try the next trending serum just because it looks good on social media.
Whether your cleanser costs RM20 or RM200, if you’re consistent with your routine, your skin will thank you for the stability. So don’t stress about having a shelf full of products. Start simple, stay consistent, and build up only when needed.
Final Thoughts:
Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated. Stick to the basics, know your ingredients, and listen to your skin. Glow-ups are a journey, not a race.