Building an Expedition-Grade Daily Skincare Routine

You don't need a 10-step routine or dozens of products. Here's how to build a simple, effective daily skincare routine using principles we've learned from years of mountaineering in extreme conditions.

The Expedition Mindset

On expeditions, every item in your pack must earn its place. There's no room for products that don't deliver results. This same philosophy should guide your daily skincare routine. Instead of accumulating products based on marketing promises, focus on what actually works.

We've learned that effective skincare comes down to three fundamental principles: protection, hydration, and repair. Everything else is optional. Let's break down how to build a routine around these core needs.

Morning Routine: Protection First

Step 1: Gentle Cleansing
Start with lukewarm water and a gentle, non-foaming cleanser. Harsh cleansers strip your skin's natural protective oils, leaving it vulnerable to environmental stress. On expeditions, we often skip morning cleansing entirely, using only water – your skin doesn't accumulate much dirt overnight.

Step 2: Hydration Layer
Apply your moisturizer to slightly damp skin. This helps lock in moisture more effectively. Look for products with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which draw moisture into your skin, combined with occlusives like squalane that prevent moisture loss.

Step 3: Sun Protection
This is non-negotiable. UV damage is cumulative and happens even on cloudy days. If your moisturizer doesn't include SPF, apply a separate sunscreen. We prefer mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide – they're more stable and less likely to cause irritation.

Evening Routine: Repair and Recovery

Step 1: Thorough Cleansing
Evening cleansing is crucial. Your skin accumulates pollution, sunscreen, and natural oils throughout the day. Use a gentle cleanser that removes these without stripping your skin. If you wear makeup or heavy sunscreen, consider double cleansing – an oil-based cleanser first, followed by a water-based one.

Step 2: Treatment (Optional)
This is where you'd apply any targeted treatments – retinoids for anti-aging, niacinamide for inflammation, or vitamin C for brightening. But here's the key: you don't need all of these. Choose one based on your primary concern and stick with it for at least 8-12 weeks before evaluating results.

Step 3: Rich Moisturizer
Your evening moisturizer can be richer than your morning one since you don't need to worry about makeup application or sun protection. This is when your skin does most of its repair work, so give it the nutrients it needs. Look for ingredients like ceramides, peptides, and plant oils.

Adapting to Conditions

Just as we adjust our gear based on weather conditions, your skincare routine should adapt to your environment. In winter or dry climates, you might need a heavier moisturizer or an additional facial oil. In humid conditions, a lighter formula might suffice.

Pay attention to how your skin feels. If it's tight after cleansing, your cleanser is too harsh. If you're shiny within an hour of moisturizing, you might be using too much product or one that's too rich for your skin type. Adjust accordingly.

What You Don't Need

Let's talk about what you can skip. Toners are largely unnecessary if you're using a good cleanser and moisturizer. Face masks are nice for self-care but don't provide benefits you can't get from your daily routine. Eye creams are often just expensive moisturizers in smaller containers – your regular moisturizer works fine for the eye area.

The skincare industry thrives on making you feel like you need more products. Resist this. A simple, consistent routine with quality products will always outperform an elaborate routine you can't maintain.

Consistency Over Complexity

On expeditions, we follow the same routine every day, regardless of conditions. This consistency is what protects our skin. The same principle applies to daily life. A simple routine you follow religiously will deliver better results than a complex one you skip when you're tired or busy.

Start with the basics: cleanse, moisturize, protect. Master these three steps before adding anything else. Give your routine at least three months before making major changes. Your skin needs time to adjust and show results.

The Ri Approach

This is why we created Ri Skincare with a single product philosophy. Our Mountain Moisturizer combines hydration, protection, and repair in one formula. It's designed to be the only product you need for daily protection, whether you're climbing mountains or navigating city life.

Effective skincare doesn't have to be complicated. Focus on the fundamentals, choose quality over quantity, and maintain consistency. Your skin will thank you.