The three jobs a routine should do
- Protect the barrier so skin stays comfortable and holds water.
- Protect against ultraviolet damage, which is the main preventable driver of skin ageing.
- Improve quality over time — texture, tone, fine lines — with one or two well-chosen actives.
A minimum viable routine
Morning
Gentle cleanse (or water only if your skin runs dry), a hydrating layer, a moisturiser, and broad-spectrum sunscreen. Take all of it to the neck.
Evening
Cleanse to remove sunscreen and the day, then moisturise. Add a retinoid two to three nights a week once your skin is calm, building up slowly.
What tends to change after weight loss
- Skin often runs drier — a richer night moisturiser usually helps more than an extra serum.
- The neck and chest need including, because they show change earlier than people expect.
- Body skin needs more attention than before, particularly the abdomen, arms and thighs.
- Sensitivity can increase temporarily, so introduce actives more slowly than you would have before.
What to skip
- Anything claiming to remove loose skin.
- Layering multiple strong actives at once — irritation looks worse than the problem you're treating.
- Switching products weekly. Skin turns over slowly; give anything six to twelve weeks.
- Buying for the marketing photography rather than the ingredient list.
