Formerly, I did not think twice about skin care. When I remembered I would throw on some moisturizer, only to not give a second thought about the sunscreen. However, over time I learned that my skin deserved better. As days and weeks of trial and error had been lost to breakouts and dry patches, I had figured out a routine that actually works for me. I am not by any means an expert but what I learned on the way has radically changed how I feel about myself and my skin. So here it is, my top 10 easy tips for skin care, I’m sharing based on real-life experiences and small changes which made a big difference for my skin.

1. Stay Hydrated

Until recently I took hydration lightly, thinking my dry skin texture was just a regular thing. Despite turning to thousands of lotions and expensive skincare products, I finally decided to explore the most basic and simplest solution: water. I didn’t realize until a friend jokingly pointed out that I might be lacking some water. It wasn’t until then that I started to realize how much I’ve been ignoring this basic habit.

I was skeptical at first, but I had been putting all those pricey creams on and none of them worked so what did I have to lose? Hence, from here on, making hydration a priority I decided to embrace drinking at least eight glasses of water a day. They were both nothing short of remarkable. My skin started to change within just two weeks. The persistent dullness faded a bit, and the less tight it felt.

My complexion was smoother, and more radiant and even those fine lines around my eyes seemed softer. The science behind this is simple: water helps detoxify the body, hydrates the skin internally and helps promote cell regeneration. One of the easiest and most cost-effective skincare habits is drinking water, and this isn’t something that is going to take long to show any results. In short, then, don’t underestimate hydration in helping you have glowing, healthy skin. Water doing a best job for your skin care.

2. Cleanse Gently, But Effectively

Once I believed that to have clean skin I had to really rub, often using tough cleansers that were supposed to extract every bit of dust and oil. While looking back I know I was completely wrong. I recall using a grainy exfoliating cleanser every day of my life, believing it would take out my clogged pores. It left my skin red, irritated, and predisposed to outbreaks, rather than the texture I wanted.

I was cleansing too much and over cleansing, so I was stripping my skin of its natural protective oils. I made a switch to a gentle cleanser and I was blown away by the difference. The cleanser I used was mild and did not strip my skin, which allowed my skin to balance itself. After washing, my face felt clean but not so tight or dry.

I adopted a simple rule: no matter how tired I am: I will always cleanse twice a day, but be gentle. I never go to bed without washing my face, whether  I wear makeup. The simple change in my routine made a lasting effect, the skin felt better, less prone to breakouts and with a healthier glow all over. It’s a simple tweak but one that has helped me so much on my skincare journey.

3. Don’t Forget Sunscreen

I didn’t think of sunscreen as something I needed — I associated it with beach vacations, or when the sun was very sunny. It wasn’t until I began to start noticing little dark spots forming on my cheeks and forehead that I realized just how much daily sun exposure was taking its toll on my skin. At first, I was surprised; I’m not the type of person who spends a lot of time outdoors.

And of course, even those short daily walks outside or sitting near a sunny window can lead to long-term damage. And that’s when I decided to add sunscreen to my daily skincare routine, even if it was winter. Specifically, once I made sunscreen a nonnegotiable part of my morning routine, I saw the changes and they were gradual. I saw my skin toned out over time, with fewer dark dots.

The confidence came when I knew I was protecting my skin from premature ageing and UV damage. Often neglected, yet crucial step in skin health is sunscreen. Preventing sunburn is not the only thing it protects you from; it is for your skin from long-term damage that can cause wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or worse yet, skin cancer. Trust me, never walk outside without sunscreen on. Sunscreens are doing another best job for your skin care.

4. Moisturize Daily

Until I realized that moisturizers don’t make your already oily skin worse, I avoided them, even during the summers. I thought oily skin did not need more moisture. Boy, was I wrong! I neglected moisturizers for a period of time, and as my skin started to feel tight and uncomfortable — with even more oil — I realized those moisturizers were important. Finally, I tried an oil-free lightweight moisturizer and the change was almost instantaneous.

Daily moisturizing, even oily or combination skin, is needed in order to maintain skin’s balance and elasticity. In time, I learned to change my moisturizer up based on the season — by using a thicker, creamier moisturizer in the winter to keep my skin more hydrated and obviously switching to a lighter, gel-based moisturizer in the summer. This has got my skin soft, healthy-looking and supple! This is an essential step in a skin care routine and what helps to nourish and protect the skin barrier and keep skin from feeling dry, flaky and irritated.

5. Exfoliate Wisely

In the past, I thought that the more I exfoliated the better my skin would look. And then I was cleaning my face every day, convinced this was the way to soft, glowing skin. The only thing that I achieved was irritated, inflamed skin, and prone to breakouts. Exfoliation is an important part of skin care, but, as I discovered, it leaves much to find. Exfoliating or using products that are too harsh can actually damage the skin barrier and make your skin more fragile to irritation and environmental stressors.

However, I now exfoliate only one or two times a week with a gentle chemical exfoliant to strip away dead skin cells without redness or inflammation. As a result, I have a much brighter, smoother, less break-out-prone complexion. The trick to this is exfoliating wisely: Figure out what your skin type is and how much exfoliation is too much. Your skin will be thanking you for not over-exfoliating, as it will be more radiant and smoother  and won’t have the raw and stripped feeling that comes with overuse.

6. Get Enough Sleep

In my early twenties, I thought I could get by on five or six hours of sleep a night, but my skin never agreed. I’d get after a few nights of bad sleep but wake up with dark circles, puffiness and a generally dull complexion. I realized that lack of sleep looked bad for me. When you sleep, it turns out, your body, including your skin, goes into repair mode. In deep sleep, your body regenerates cells, produces collagen, and mends everyday stress damage.

My skin liked it when I started to prioritize sleep and shoot for seven to eight hours a night. I saw that my under-eye circles weren’t as noticeable, and my skin looked rested and so much brighter. Luckily, sleep is one of the best and most natural beauty treatments. There’s no need for a fancy product or a complicated routine, just, well, good old-fashioned rest. Sleep is as good for your skin care as it is good for you; it helps you feel better by giving you more energy and, it gives your skin the time it needs to restore and repair itself.

7. Use Natural Ingredients

I’ve always been curious about natural skin care, so I’ve been adding ingredients like honey, aloe Vera and turmeric to my routine. They are gentle on the skin and free of harmful chemicals with natural remedies often just as effective as synthetic ones. A simple combination of honey and yoghurt is one of my favourite DIY face masks. After one use, my skin feels soft, hydrated and refreshed.

The natural antibacterial properties of honey make it good for acne-prone skin and yoghurts lactic acid exfoliates and brightens up the skin. Aloe Vera is another natural ingredient I’ve come to enjoy. I apply it right from the plant, as a soothing gel for sunburn or skin irritation.

It’s super calming and my skin feels hydrating without being greasy. Budget-friendly and for the avoidance of using harsh chemicals in cosmetics, it’s important to include skin care routines which incorporate natural ingredients. Plus, you can fine-tune these natural treatments to address your personal skin needs—whether they include dryness, irritation, or acne.

8. Eat a Balanced Diet

For years I didn’t make the connection between my diet and skin. I ate fast food, sugary snacks and soda thinking that skin care products alone would keep my complexion clear. Persistent breakouts eventually prompted me to look a little closer at what I was eating. Gradually I stopped eating processed foods and began putting more fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats such as avocado, nuts, and salmon in my diet.

The outcome was undeniable, my skin was clearer, less oily, and naturally radiant, and no product could match it. The saying “you are what you eat” really applies especially when it comes to your skin. So, feed your skin from the inside out with foods that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids and avoid sugar and processed foods which can cause inflammation and breakouts.

Just like what you apply to your skin, eating a balanced diet is just as important. Even if you spend all the money on the best skin care products in the world, your skin will tell you eventually where it’s lacking the nutrients. A nutrient-rich diet is the way to go, and your skin will thank you for it.

9. Avoid Touching Your Face

I never realized how much I touched my face until I started to watch. My breakouts were a product of these habits: whether in my hand or rubbing them, I couldn’t stop touching my face. But our hands are dirty with bacteria, and the bacteria transmits onto our skin, everytime we touch our face. As soon as I forced myself to stop, I could see a difference in my skin.

If you have acne-prone or sensitive skin keeping your face touch-free can help avoid breakouts and irritation. This is a small habit with awesome results. Washing your hands and keeping your pillowcase or phone screens and all your other touchable clean is easy, but so is reducing the amount of time you spend touching your face. I promise you, that once you have broken the habit, your skin will appreciate fewer blemishes and smoother texture.

10. Don’t Overload on Products

I once bought every new product to promise perfect skin. Instead of giving me the skin I wanted—glowing skin—I just got irritated, and more breakouts. It wasn’t long before that I realized more does not necessarily equal better when it comes to skin care. A large difference was made by simplifying my routine.

I have since switched to a gentle cleanser, hydrating serum, moisturizer and sunscreen in the day, then adding retinol at night. Simple is the way to go because not only is it saving me money and time, but the simple regime has actually improved my skin. Too many products can overload your skin’s natural barrier and it can cause your skin to break down if you have too many, so opt for minimal and effective.

Follow These Best Skin Care Tips Now

Caring for your skin doesn’t have to be complicated and time-consuming! Showing you how to make small consistent changes that add up to big life-changing results. These are the ten skin care tips that worked for me and although everyone’s skin is different, I think these basic principles, if followed, would really make a difference to anyone. Drink plenty of fluids, and be kind and patient. The effort is certainly worth the healthy, glowing skin!