These are the products you *actually* need from The Outset, Kora Organics, and more to create a solid skincare routine.

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If you feel like your current skincare routine isn’t giving you the results you want, it might be time for a complete overhaul.

As someone who tries new beauty and skincare products for work, I understand how tempting it can be to add extra steps to your routine, especially when addressing specific concerns such as acne, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and dry skin. 

But as an expert, I can tell you that my skin is at its best when I simplify my routine and stick to the essentials.

Ultimately, all you really need is a good cleanser, a moisturizer for your skin type, and a great sunscreen. From there, you can add in two or three extra products to help target specific skincare concerns, such as acne, dark spots or wrinkles.

Who needs a 12-step skincare routine when a handful of products is all you really need to achieve healthy skin? Stop wasting your money on products you don’t actually need! Your skin and your wallet will thank you.

If you’re ready to start over, keep reading for a list of the only skincare essentials you’ll need in 2025 from our favorite brands, including The Outset, Kora Organics, Solawave, and more.

On makeup days, double-cleansing your face is a must to ensure you’ve rinsed off all traces of dirt, oil, and makeup products.

Start with a cleansing balm or an oil-based cleanser to help melt off makeup. If you’re wearing heavy eye makeup, a makeup remover can also come in handy. 

Then follow it up with a gel or foaming cleanser for at least sixty seconds to really make sure your face gets clean.  

This duo from Scarlett Johansson’s skincare line makes double cleansing easy.

It includes a micellar cleanser to lift dirt, makeup, and oils, plus a micro-polish cleanser that gently exfoliates while brightening your skin.

This oil cleanser transforms into a creamy milk that effortlessly melts away dirt, oil, and makeup.

It’s made with fatty acids and antioxidants, leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated.

For squeaky-clean skin, use this foaming face wash.

Made with rice extract, collagen, and witch hazel, this cleanser effortlessly washes away makeup and dirt, leaving pores clear.

For days (or nights) that you’re wearing heavy eye makeup, it can be helpful to use a makeup remover like this one to make sure you remove every last bit of eyeliner, mascara, or lash glue.

Plus, at under $10, you can’t beat the price. 

Moisturizer is my hero product. I like a lightweight option for the morning. It can sit well under makeup and hydrate your face without making your skin appear oily throughout the day.  

At night, after you’ve cleansed, you’ll want to apply something rich. A heavier moisturizer at night is the key to waking up to plump, youthful skin. Especially if you tend to fall asleep with the heater on! 

This ultra-rich moisturizer is key to treating dehydrated skin overnight.

It’s made with licorice root extract to brighten dark spots, squalane to hydrate and soothe, and microalgae to rebalance the skin’s microbiome.

This lightweight moisutrizer does so much more than simply hydrate.

It’s packed with collagen peptides and hyaluronic acid to help restore the skin’s microbiome.

Sun exposure is one of the biggest contributing factors to aging, and also one of the easiest to combat. That’s why it’s important to apply SPF each morning and throughout the day to help protect against sun damage.

Our SPF pick below is perfect for everything from no-makeup days to outdoor workouts, or it can be used as an easy swap for your tinted moisturizer. 

No white cast, no problem!

This SPF 30 sunscreen not only protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, it also provides light coverage on makeup days since it’s tinted. 

From dry skin to acne, oil and serums are key in targeting specific skincare concerns.

Brighten dark spots by adding in a vitamin C serum or get an extra boost of hydration with a nourishing face oil from our picks below.

Vitamin C is a popular product for brightening the skin. 

Rich in antioxidants, this serum helps soothe texture and fade dark spots.

Firm and plump skin with this collagen-infused serum.

Made with ingredients including hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and peptides, it will help hydrate and rebalance your skin.

Nourish and brighten dull, dry skin with this luxurious facial oil.

Packed with fatty acids, noni extract, rosehip oil and jojoba oil, this product locks in moisture while brightening skin and smoothing texture.

Want to fade dark circles, erase wrinkles, and prevent new ones from forming? Add an eye cream that moisturizes and brightens.

Tired? This eye cream will make you look wide awake.

Made with vitamin C and niacinamide, this cream is designed to brighten, hydrate, and depuff. Plus, the metal applicator feels so soothing during application.

Target undereye circles with this brightening eye cream, infused with vitamin C.

Rich in antioxidants, this product helps minimizes the appearance of dark circles and may plump fine lines and wrinkles.

Source: www.eonline.com