5 Beauty Brands Every Skincare Newbie Needs to Know

There are a LOT of skincare brands and products out there. Finding the right products that work for your skin is tough enough, but it gets even more complicated, y’all: Beyond what you’re buying, though, is how you’re using it — we’re talking about your skincare routine. You have to consider the order in which you apply these products, your application technique (to pat on products or not to pat? *That* is the question!) and if any of them react with each other. If you’re a skincare newbie, all of these factors might it seem too fussy to start a dedicated skincare practice, especially if you’re the kind of girl who only has five minutes to spare in the morning and at night. But trust us: A bar of soap won’t get the job done. To show you that zeroing in on your perfect-fit skincare routine doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task, we’re sharing five of our favorite beauty brands that have beginner-friendly skincare products — think: sets designed to take you from start to finish in the most simple ways possible. Here are some of the easiest ways you can start taking care of your skin.

If You’re a Lazy Girl, Try This Skincare Brand

For lazy girls, double-duty products are key to sticking to a dedicated skincare routine; they save time (and let us press that snooze button over and over). That’s what you’ll get with Glossier. This brand is all about bringing skincare essentials — products to cleanse, hydrate, prime and perfect your skin — to those of us who want a no-frills routine. Our favorite Glossier products are all included in the Glossier Phase 1 Set ($80), a package deal that’ll arm you with everything you need to embark on this new skincare journey. Its brand new Milky Jelly Cleanser ($18) will remove your makeup as it cleanses and smoothes the skin at the same time, which you can follow up with the two-in-one Priming Moisturizer ($25), both allowing you to fly through your routine in a flash. Then comes the makeup: a lightweight Perfecting Skin Tint ($26) and their cult favorite Balm Dotcom ($12), a beauty Swiss Army Knife that can be applied to your brows, your cheekbones, your lips and your cuticles.

IF YOU’RE A DIY GIRL, TRY THIS SKINCARE BRAND

There’s nothing like figuring out your skin’s perfect combo of products, especially if you’re the genius who mixed ’em up yourself. S.W. Basics speaks to your inner DIY fanatic by letting you mix, match and DIY all the products in their Full DIY Skincare Essentials Set ($130). With this kit, you’ll be able to figure out which combos give you flawless skin — straight up priceless knowledge to be armed with as you progress on your adventure in skincare. Oh, and don’t worry about mixing up the wrong products or adding too much of this or that: This Brooklyn-based skincare company made the whole DIY skincare thing simple for you thanks to their (adorable!) DIY Mix ‘N Match Poster ($20) that takes all the guesswork out of the equation. You can (and should) get creative with this set and think about what your skin needs. Have dry skin? Add sea salt to shea butter to sough it off. Want to tighten pores on the fly? Create a sweet smelling toner by mixing the lavender spray and the witch hazel distillate. Need a mid-day refresh? Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the rosewater spray for a powerful face mist. So many options.

IF YOU’RE A MINIMALIST GIRL, TRY THIS SKINCARE BRAND

Meow Meow Tweet is for those who have a “less is more” approach to life and skincare. This brand offers vegan and organic skincare products, so you can be sure the ingredients won’t be harsh on your skin. In fact, many of their products feature less than 10 ingredients — even some with less than five! This brand has made it easy to jumpstart a minimalist routine by packaging together four essentials in their Facial Kit ($84). Kick it off with the gentle Face Cleanser ($25) to clean your pores and smooth your skin without irritation. A couple times a week, follow up cleansing with their Face Exfoliant ($20) so that dull skin is scrubbed away completely. Spritz on the Face Toner ($24) to tone skin and clean up any residual grit and grime on your face. Then, hydrate with the brand’s Face Oil ($25) and let it sink in overnight — you’ll wake up with super glowy, healthy skin in the morning.

IF YOU’RE AN ALL-NATURAL GIRL, TRY THIS SKINCARE BRAND

Not all natural skincare lines are created equal, y’all, so it’s important to do your research if you’re super dedicated to green beauty to find a line that aligns with what’s important to you. That said, we might have found a one-brand-fits-all option: Tata Harper. This brand is 100% natural and focused on intense hydration, which is important to consider during these cold winter months when our skin is parched! Full disclosure: These products aren’t cheap, but are top-notch as far as eco-beauty babes are concerned. If it’s worth the investment, s=tart by cleansing your skin with their Nourishing Oil Cleanser ($64) so you can gently remove your makeup and keep your skin super smooth — this product is a solid choice for sensitive skin too. After cleansing, follow up with Hydrating Floral Essence ($65) which acts as a light toner and hydrates the skin with a nice scent. Finish your routine off with the Reparative Moisturizer ($100) which will straight up transform dry skin into lovely suppleness we’re all after.

IF YOU’RE A GIRL ON-THE-GO, TRY THIS SKINCARE BRAND

Sometimes, we don’t have a ton of time to devote to our skincare routine, which is totally understandable. That’s where skincare products that work their magic overnight come into play, especially for those of us who are constantly wishing we had five extra minutes in the day. First Aid Beauty’s line has a couple of products that’ll get you through your skincare routine *faster*: You put them on before bed and will have you waking up with seriously luminous skin. It’s the equivalent of packing your lunch the night before — wake up and GO! Give the Facial Radiance Overnight Mask ($38) a try if you want brighter and more even-toned skin as you ZzzzZZz — it’s great for those who want the benefits of a deep mask but don’t have time or patience to sit around waiting for it to dry. After you’ve masked it up, slather on the Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Sleeping Cream ($38) before you hit the hay. You’ll want to jump out of bed in the morning to check out your moisturized skin that, with continued use, will also be firmer and healthier overall.

Tweet us @britandco your favorite skincare brands!