Tailoring Your Skincare Routine

Yes they do because there are many different skin types. Healthy skin can actually withstand a lot—washing, acids, perfumes or preservatives.

However, if you have more sensitive skin or skin that easily gets irritated, dry, or even acne-prone, you must choose your skincare more carefully. So it’s good to be aware of your skin type and actually choose your skincare regime after that.

In case of dry skin or psoriasis, the skin is more sensitive—you have a sensitive barrier. You should minimise your skincare routine. If you need a wash, choose a neutral, gentle cleanser and obviously a good emollient cream.

For eczema-prone skin, you have a higher risk of contact allergies, so it’s important to limit exposure to many ingredients—yet still use an effective moisturiser. That might be just one or two products.

With psoriasis, it’s the same advice, but you also benefit from an exfoliating component in your moisturiser. And of course, if you’ve been prescribed topical treatments, you need to build them into your routine as well.

It’s important the exfoliation isn’t too tough. I would say mainly a chemical exfoliation with, for example, salicylic acid is a regular treatment. But if you have certain areas like your palms or the soles of your feet, you might benefit from mechanical exfoliation. Still, it’s mainly chemical with salicylic acid, for example, to avoid irritation.

As I said, start from your skin’s needs and choose what’s best. It’s also very important to choose something practical that you actually like.

If the product is too sticky, smells unpleasant or has impractical packaging, you won’t use it—you’ll just leave it on the bathroom shelf. I often ask returning patients, ‘Have you used the product?’ and if they haven’t, it’s often for those reasons. So make sure you enjoy using what you choose.

No—you don’t need that, especially not if you have sensitive skin. There’s a jungle of products and ingredients, but often less is more. Overcomplicating your skincare can actually harm your barrier. If you have healthy skin, you could choose eight or ten steps, but you don’t have to.

You need a barrier-strengthening, softening cream that you appreciate—and preferably in practical packaging. For eczema, the cream should contain hydrators or humectants that bind water to the skin surface—this is the most effective way to bring moisture to eczema-prone skin. For psoriasis, you also need a barrier-strengthening component and humectants, but add exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid or lactic acid. And if topical treatments are prescribed, you might use the steroid in the evening and the emollient in the morning, so they work in parallel rather than at the same time.

One myth is that drinking lots of water will prevent dry skin—it won’t be transported to your skin as a moisturiser. So, while staying hydrated is good, it won’t fix dry skin on its own.

Another common myth is that acne is caused by poor hygiene. Acne is an inflammatory disease, not caused by insufficient cleaning. It’s important to know that.

As I said, less is more. If you find a product you like, use it on a regular basis—not just when you have symptoms, but also to prevent new flares of eczema or psoriasis, for example. Many patients stop once their skin clears, but consistency is key to avoiding recurrences.