If you’ve ever packed for a trip and stared at your bathroom counter thinking, “How on earth am I supposed to choose?”, a capsule skincare routine is your new best friend. It’s a small, intentional set of products—just the essentials—that keep your skin looking and feeling great with a very minimal skincare routine. Think of it the same way you’d build a capsule wardrobe: a few well-chosen pieces that work together so you don’t have to overthink anything. And here’s the thing—these pared-down routines aren’t just for travel. They’re wonderful during busy seasons, when your skin feels overstimulated, or when you simply want to get back to basics and see what your skin actually needs.

A good capsule routine has four anchors: a gentle cleanser, something hydrating or clarifying depending on your skin type (like a toner or tonic), a serum or treatment that targets your main concern, and a moisturizer to seal everything in. With those four pieces, most skin types stay balanced, supported, and healthy.

Below, you’ll find exactly how to build a four-product capsule routine for your skin type, using familiar Simple Body favorites. And if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the “shoulds” in skincare, a capsule routine is a nice reminder that simple often works surprisingly well.

Before we get into the specific routines, it’s worth mentioning one thing most people forget to factor in: climate. Your skin behaves very differently depending on where you’re headed. If you live in a dry place and you’re traveling somewhere humid, your usual moisturizer might suddenly feel too heavy and your skin may produce more oil simply because it’s not fighting to stay hydrated. Flip it the other way—going from humid to dry—and your skin may feel tight, thirsty, and a little more reactive. A capsule routine works beautifully here because you can adjust one product (usually the serum or moisturizer) to match the climate rather than rebuilding your entire routine from scratch.

Normal to Dry Skin: steady hydration without heaviness

Normal-to-dry skin loves a routine that feels moisturized, but not too rich. You want steady hydration throughout each step, especially in drier climates or when you’re traveling and dealing with recycled airplane air.

Your 4 products:

1. Chamomile Foaming Face Wash – cleans without leaving that tight, squeaky feeling

2. Age Defying Tonic – adds back hydration and helps the skin look refreshed (this is a great little refresh while in-flight! I always keep mine in my carry on!)

3. Age Defense Serum – supports elasticity and smoothness

4. Face Cream – locks moisture in and keeps the skin feeling soft (Also, for me, this doubles as a body moisturizer when I travel, so I always take a 2oz jar!)

Why this works: every step feeds your moisture barrier, which is really what keeps dryness in check. The tonic and serum do most of the heavy lifting here; your moisturizer simply keeps all that goodness where it belongs.

Mature Skin: nourishment that actually shows up on the skin

Mature skin often behaves a lot like dry skin but with a greater need for sustained moisture and ingredients that support firmness and smooth texture. The fewer steps you use, the more each one needs to count.

Your 4 products:

1. Lavender Foaming Face Wash – gentle, calming cleanse

2. Age Defying Tonic – hydration + visible brightness

3. Age Defense Serum – your hero for tone, texture, and fine lines

4. Beauty Balm – a richer finish that seals everything in and leaves a glow

Why this works: the combination of the tonic and serum brings vitality back, and the Beauty Balm gives that cushioned, nourished feel that mature skin often craves—especially when traveling or in dry air.

Combination Skin: balance without overthinking it

Combination skin wants order—something that hydrates the drier zones without overwhelming the oilier areas. A capsule routine keeps things streamlined so you’re not chasing every little fluctuation.

Your 4 products:

1. Chamomile Foaming Face Wash – neutral and gentle

2. Brighten + Boost – lightweight that keeps skin calm and comfortable

3. Wrinkle Defense Serum – A lightweight hyaluronic acid serum that helps retain moisture, but is oil free.

4. Face Cream – not too heavy, not too light

Why this works: these four give enough support without tipping the skin into either dryness or excess oil. It’s one of those routines that travels really well because it keeps the skin predictable.

Sensitive Skin: simple, soothing, and steady

Sensitive skin often thrives on fewer steps. Anything too complicated or fragranced tends to stir things up, so a capsule routine is practically tailor-made for you.

Your 4 products:

1. Cleansing Oil – ultra gentle and non-stripping

2. Brighten + Boost Tonic – hydrating and softening without harsh actives

3. Barrier Defense Serum – supports a calm, resilient moisture barrier

4. Face Cream – steady hydration that doesn’t provoke irritation

Why this works: each step is designed to feel soothing. There’s no exfoliation, no potential triggers—just the basics your skin needs to stay comfortable.

Oily or Acne-Prone Skin: clean, clarified, and hydrated

Here’s the surprise many people with acne-prone skin don’t know: you still need moisture. A capsule routine helps prevent that cycle of stripping, drying, and overproducing oil.

Your 4 products:

1. Lavender Foaming Face Wash – clarifying yet gentle

2. Clean Sweep Toner – helps keep pores clear and reduces buildup ( A MUST HAVE when heading to humid climates!)

3. Barrier Defense Serum – balances oil production and supports skin barrier and moisture retention

4. Face Cream – lightweight moisture so the skin stays regulated

Why this works: this set keeps the skin clean and balanced without tipping into dryness. And the serum helps keep the barrier supported, which is critical when you’re prone to breakouts.

Friends! I hope this goes without saying…but you STILL NEED your daily SPF! Here’s my go to: Sun Serum

When to Rely on a Capsule Routine

You can pull back to these four staples whenever your skin—or your life—needs some clarity. It’s especially helpful when:

• You’re traveling and want to keep packing simple

• Your skin feels overwhelmed and you want a “reset”

• You’re trying new products and want a dependable baseline

• You’re entering a busy season and need something that always works

• You’re troubleshooting irritation and want fewer variables

The beauty of a capsule routine is that it removes the noise. It helps you see what’s actually working, what your skin is asking for, and what steps are more optional than you think. And sometimes—especially in dry Colorado air or whirlwind holiday weeks—simple really is the smartest strategy.