We need less shit to worry about in our lives, not more. That’s why a simple skincare routine for men is essential. If you’re a minimalist with your grooming products, or if you’re wondering which products are mandatory for a blemish-free face, then take note: There are three key steps in any guy’s skincare regimen. We’ll make it as straightforward as possible for you.

So, no, you don’t need masks or toners, if you want clearer, younger-looking skin. All of those things do help, but they’re more for the enthusiasts out there.

Instead, focus your efforts on the baseline: Stock your sink ledge with the following essentials. You won’t add more than a few minutes to your daily routine, but that time spent can make you look years younger, and for the long haul.

1. Cleanse twice daily When you wash your face, you remove the dirt, grime, and excess oil that has settled inside your pores and atop your skin. This will prevent clogged pores, breakouts, and will minimize shine.

It’s also imperative to cleanse before using any other products, otherwise you’ll limit the effectiveness of a moisturizer, exfoliant, or mask. Think of it this way: You need a clean canvas before you start putting anything on it, and cleanser cleans the canvas.

Do it when you wake up—to clean the grime you accumulated while you slept (since your pillowcase it a hotbed of bacteria). And then once again before bed, to flush away the day’s buildup.

2. Exfoliate twice weekly After you cleanse, you should scrub away any dead skin cells that would clog pores and otherwise lead to breakouts. This exfoliation also allows the healthier skin cells to live on the surface of the skin, giving you a “brighter” complexion while also minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. You should only exfoliate twice a week, to avoid too much abrasion. (Plus, your dead surface cells don’t pile up that fast.)

Pick a gentle scrub—some also double as cleansers—to put into rotation every few days, and you’re a few weeks away from a smoother complexion with fewer blemishes.

3. Moisturize twice daily Once you’ve cleansed and buffed the skin, it’s time to hydrate and protect your face. Thus, the final product in the standard “three-step regimen” is moisturizer. It delivers soothing vitamins and nutrients to the skin, while also creating a barrier atop the skin so as to shield you from complexion-compromising toxins (eg. smoke or smog).

Apply it in the morning to recover from lost moisture during sleep, as well as before bed to maximize the potency of the skin-strengthening nutrients while your body’s cells regenerate. You can even substitute a night cream for the bedtime, for a denser, ore protective and corrective barrier on the skin.

4. Additional tip: Always use SPF Ultraviolet rays from the sun mutate the cells in your skin—on cloudy and cold days, too. These UV rays lead to sun spots, wrinkles, sun burns, dry patches, moles, and even cancer. It’s important to shield your skin from these rays with SPF, whether it’s packed inside your daily moisturizer or added as an additional layer atop the hydrator.

If you’re only outside during the commute or a quick lunch, then a lightweight SPF should suffice, but if you hit the beach or are outside in direct light for extended periods of time (an hour or more), then you should consider something higher—SPF 30 is a safe bet.

-Adam Hurley GQ