Building Your Skincare Routine and Knowing When to Level Up. Your 2026 Glow Guide.

As we work toward our 2026 wellness goals, building an effective skincare routine is essential, but knowing when at-home products aren’t enough is just as important. We’re back with Kimberly Pennell, MSN, APRN, WHNP-C at Apex Skin in Canton, Ohio, for Part 3 of our 2026 Glow Guide series.

In Part 1, we covered the skincare pyramid and Botox basics. In Part 2, we explored body contouring truth. Now, we’re diving deep into building your skincare routine, understanding what products actually work, and recognizing when it’s time to move beyond at-home care.

When it comes to creating an effective skincare routine, Pennell emphasizes starting simple. The foundation includes four essential products used in a specific order.

The order matters. “Go from thinnest to thickest product,” Pennell explains. Wait 30-60 seconds between each product to allow proper absorption, with retinol requiring a full 2-minute wait on dry skin for optimal penetration.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a consistent daily skincare routine that includes cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection forms the foundation of healthy skin at any age. The AAD emphasizes that sunscreen is “one of the single most important things you can do for your skin.”

Not all skin types respond the same way to products. Pennell emphasizes the importance of customization:

“Avoid over-cleansing if you have oily skin. This actually increases oil production,” Pennell cautions.

Your skincare routine should evolve as you age. Here’s what Pennell recommends for each decade:

A landmark study in JAMA Dermatology demonstrated that topical retinol significantly improves naturally aged skin by stimulating collagen production and reducing fine wrinkles.

Retinol remains the gold standard for anti-aging, but introducing it requires patience. “I always recommend that patients start at the lowest dose,” Pennell explains, typically 0.25% strength used 2-3 times weekly.

“It’s a part of the process. We’re promoting that cell turnover,” Pennell reassures patients experiencing initial irritation.

Retinol vs. Tretinoin: Over-the-counter retinol is milder with slower results and less irritation, making it ideal for beginners. Prescription tretinoin delivers stronger, faster results for deep wrinkles, severe acne, or stubborn pigmentation. “If retinol isn’t improving the skin after 3-6 months, you want faster or stronger results, and can tolerate a prescription,” it’s time to level up, Pennell advises.

Research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that topical tretinoin produces “new collagen formation in the papillary dermis” and improves photoaged skin through multiple mechanisms.

One of the most common questions Pennell receives concerns the difference between medical-grade skincare and drugstore products.

“What you can buy over the counter is only allowed to work on the dermal level, on the surface, so it will give you a temporary fix but it’s not going to actually repair your skin,” Pennell explains. “With medical-grade skincare, it can work on the deeper, dermal level and can actually stimulate cell turnover.”

Even the best skincare routine has limits. Pennell recommends exploring professional treatments when:

“If somebody has been using products for three to six months and they’re really not seeing any real benefits, then we need to make some changes,” Pennell explains.

Ready to build your perfect skincare routine? Here’s Pennell’s advice for starting strong:

1. Start Simple: Begin with the four basics—cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Don’t overwhelm yourself with eight products at once.
2. Build Gradually: Add products one at a time, waiting 2-4 weeks between additions to monitor your skin’s response.
3. Be Consistent: “The more I do my routine and the more results that I see, the more I want to do more,” Pennell shares from personal experience.
4. Adjust Seasonally: In winter, add hydrating serums like hyaluronic acid. In summer, switch to lighter gel moisturizers and reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when outdoors.
5. Book Your Consultation: If you’re ready to start but feel overwhelmed, schedule a consultation. 

Building great skin isn’t about having the most products. It’s about having the right products for your skin type and concerns, used consistently and correctly. Start now with a solid routine, and by 2026, you’ll be ready to level up to professional treatments that take your results even further.

Ready to build your perfect skincare routine? Book your consultation with Kimberly Pennell, MSN, APRN, WHNP-C at Apex Skin in Canton, Ohio.

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This is Part 3 of our 2026 Glow Guide series. Missed the earlier posts? Read Part 1 on skincare foundations and Botox and Part 2 on body contouring.

Kimberly Pennell, MSN | APRN | WHNP-BC

Kim is an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner with 24 years of experience in healthcare. Kim is passionate about helping individuals look and feel like the best version of themselves through subtle, natural-looking enhancements. Her clients consistently commend her for her meticulous attention to detail, gentle touch, and the genuine, trusting relationships she builds—creating a comfortable and personalized experience for each person she treats.