The Only Skincare Products You Actually Need

Core Skincare Approach

Brandon Balfour argues that a simple routine built around three products—cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen—can cover most skincare needs. He also emphasizes lifestyle habits and basic hygiene.

Lifestyle and Hygiene

• Diet: He recommends cutting back on processed foods, sugar, and seed oils, saying these changes improved his skin and others’ skin. This is his personal view, not a clinical conclusion.
• Sleep and stress: Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep and a consistent bedtime. He also suggests stress-reducing activities such as exercise, sauna, meditation, or yoga.
• Keep face-contact surfaces clean: Wash sheets and towels weekly with hot water, and wipe down your phone periodically.

Basic Skincare Routine

Cleanser — Morning and Night

Wet your face with lukewarm water, massage in about a quarter-size amount for 30–60 seconds, then rinse.

To estimate your skin type, rinse with water only and wait about an hour. Shine suggests oily skin; dryness or flaking suggests dry skin; and an oily T-zone with dry cheeks suggests combination skin.

• Oily skin: He prefers a foaming cleanser and suggests looking for ingredients such as salicylic acid or niacinamide. If you’re new to salicylic acid, start with a lower strength.
• Dry skin: Choose a non-foaming cleanser. He mentions hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and aloe vera as ingredients to look for.
• Normal or combination skin: A gentle cleanser may be sufficient.
• Fully natural approach: He suggests using water alone.

Moisturizer — Morning and Night

Apply about a nickel-size amount.

• Oily skin: He lists ingredients such as salicylic acid, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.
• Dry skin: He suggests ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, shea butter, or aloe vera.
• Combination skin: He lists ingredients including lactic acid, glycolic acid, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides.
• Natural options: He mentions aloe vera and beef tallow. He says he had tried tallow for two days and was unsure whether it might cause breakouts.

Sunscreen — Morning

He recommends applying a generous amount of mineral sunscreen and following the product directions. Mineral sunscreen may leave a white cast; tinted formulas are an option.

Optional Extras

• Chemical exfoliants: Salicylic, glycolic, or lactic acid products should be patch-tested first. Follow the product instructions and apply after cleansing.
• Hydrating serum: He suggests patting 2–3 drops into the skin before moisturizer.
• Neck care: He recommends extending skincare products down the neck.

Products and Sponsor

Products named in the video description include CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, CeraVe Foaming Cleanser, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser, CeraVe moisturizers, La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+M, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat, and Badger Sport Mineral Sunscreen Face Stick. BetterHelp is mentioned as the video sponsor.

Disclaimer

Balfour notes that he is not a dermatologist and encourages viewers to do their own research before using products.