Treat One Concern

Once your core three are steady, you can add a treatment for a specific goal:

• Acne: salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide on breakout-prone areas after cleansing
• Aging: a low-strength retinol at night, before moisturizer
• Dark spots: a vitamin C serum in the morning, before moisturizer
• Dehydration: a hyaluronic acid serum on damp skin, before moisturizer
• Texture: an AHA or BHA exfoliant two to three times a week, never daily

Add one product at a time. If three new things go on at once and your skin reacts, you will have no idea which one to blame.