Build Your Routine by Skin Type

How to Identify Your Skin Type

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, wait 30 minutes without applying anything, then observe. Tight, flaky patches = dry. Shiny all over with visible pores = oily. Shiny T-zone but normal or dry cheeks = combination. Redness, stinging, or reactions to new products = sensitive. Many people are combination-sensitive, which is the most common type in East African climates.

For Dry Skin

Your goal is maximum hydration and barrier repair. Layer lightweight hydrating products in multiple steps rather than applying one heavy cream.

• 1Cleanser: COSRX Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser (low-pH, non-stripping)
• 2Toner: Anua Heartleaf 77% Toner — apply 3 layers, patting each in
• 3Serum: BB Lab Hyaluronic Acid Ampoule
• 4Moisturiser: BOS Dayscreen (AM) or a richer cream (PM)
• 5SPF: BOS Glow Sun Stick — dewy finish complements dry skin perfectly

For Oily Skin

Your goal is balancing sebum, minimising pores, and keeping skin clear without over-stripping — which paradoxically triggers more oil production.

• 1Cleanser: COSRX Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser
• 2Toner: Anua Heartleaf 77% Toner — controls sebum and calms pores
• 3Serum: SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica (lightweight, no heavy oils)
• 4Moisturiser: BOS Dayscreen doubles as a lightweight day moisturiser
• 5SPF: BOS Glow Sun Stick — no white cast, no greasiness

For Combination Skin

Treat different zones differently. The T-zone needs oil control; cheeks need moisture. Lightweight, water-based products work across the whole face.

• 1Cleanser: COSRX Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser
• 2Toner: Anua Heartleaf 77% Toner across all zones
• 3Serum: SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica for hydration without heaviness
• 4Moisturiser: BOS Dayscreen Moisturiser — light enough for T-zone
• 5SPF: BOS Glow Sun Stick

For Sensitive Skin

Your goal is calming, barrier-strengthening, and minimising ingredients. Introduce products one at a time, waiting 1 week between each new addition.

• 1Cleanser: COSRX Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser — fragrance-free, gentle
• 2Toner: Anua Heartleaf 77% Toner — specifically formulated for reactive skin
• 3Serum: SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica — centella is the gold standard for sensitivity
• 4Eye care: BOS Revive Eye Serum if puffiness or dark circles are a concern
• 5Moisturiser + SPF: BOS Dayscreen — skip heavy actives until barrier is strong

Universal Rules

Whatever your skin type, these three principles apply:

• 1Always wear SPF in the morning — UV is the number one cause of premature ageing and hyperpigmentation
• 2Introduce one new product at a time — this makes it easy to identify what's working (or not)
• 3Consistency beats perfection — a simple 3-step routine done every day outperforms a 10-step routine done occasionally