Not everyone was blessed with low-maintenance skin, hence the continued popularity of products such as face moisturizers. There are many people whose skin types are either extremely oily or acne-prone, or too dry. Caring for one’s skin does not always come easy, but there are three steps that should be a staple in anyone’s face regimen: Cleanse, moisturize and protect.

Facial cleansers prevent sweat, dirt, make-up and bacteria buildup, which causes blemishes. Moisturizers can prevent dryness and the irritation it causes and helps you maintain smooth and supple skin. Skin protection products provide shield from the sun, cold weather and other environmental factors.

Cleansing helps to remove harmful substances that may have clung to your skin. Non-removal of these can cause pimples and other blemishes. Make-up removal is an important step of skin cleansing, as most make-ups have particles that can block pores.

In between cleansing and moisturizing, some people may opt to use toners.

A toner balances the skin’s acidity, and makes skin more receptive to face moisturizers.

Moisturizing is a requirement for all skin types, but contrary to popular belief, moisturizers made for the face do not give moisture. Rather, they stimulate moisture through the humectants or moisture retention agents they contain. The light oils in most moisturizers also aid in the creation of a protective barrier that seals in moisture.

When it comes to protecting one’s skin, sunscreen is still one of the most effective ways to protect against sun damage. When outdoors, use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30. This must be applied 30 minutes before going out, and re-applied every two to three hours. A number of face moisturizers also contain ingredients which can help protect against sun damage.