I like skincare, but I also like sleep, so if a routine is going to stick, it has to feel easy and low-stress. Over the last year I’ve tried a bunch of cleansers and serums, but the duo I keep coming back to on autopilot is the skin1004 cleansing oil followed by the skin1004 Centella ampoule. They’re not flashy, they don’t scream for attention on my shelf, but they quietly make everything else in my routine work better.

The first time I tried the cleansing oil, I honestly thought it was going to be one of those thick, heavy oils that make me feel like I’ve rubbed cooking oil all over my face. It’s the opposite. The texture is really thin and fluid, almost like a dry oil. When I pump it into my hand it runs a little, and once I start massaging it onto dry skin it spreads with zero effort. It moves easily across my face without dragging, even around my eyes and nose, and it immediately starts breaking down sunscreen and base makeup. On days when I’ve worn a bit more (concealer, light foundation, a cream blush), I don’t feel like I have to scrub or work forever to get everything off; a quick massage is enough.

What made me stick with it was how clean it rinses. As soon as I add a bit of water, it turns milky straight away and lets go of everything. I don’t have to stand there for ages splashing my face just to get rid of an oily film. When I towel off, my skin feels clean and soft, not squeaky or tight and not weirdly coated either. It just feels like my skin again, minus the SPF and makeup.

Another thing I really appreciate is how neutral it is. There’s basically no scent – if there is one, it’s so faint I barely notice it. No fake citrus, no floral cloud filling the bathroom, nothing that makes me worry my skin will react. I don’t think about it when I’m using it, and that’s kind of the point. It just does its job every night without giving me extra drama to manage.

After I rinse the oil off and do a quick gentle water-based cleanse if I need it, I go straight in with the Centella ampoule. Technically it’s an ampoule, but in my routine it has totally replaced toner most days. The texture is super light and watery, a little more slippery than plain water but nowhere near a thick serum. I put a few drops into my palm, rub my hands together once, and press it over my face instead of reaching for a cotton pad. It sinks in fast and doesn’t leave a sticky layer behind, which is a big deal for me because I hate the feeling of tacky skincare under moisturiser.

The Centella in it really shows up in how calming it is. My skin is mostly normal, but I do get random redness around my nose and cheeks, especially if I’ve been outside in the wind or I’ve poked at a breakout I should have left alone. When I use this ampoule regularly, that redness looks softer and settles down more quickly. Small breakouts don’t look as inflamed, and any little patches of irritation feel less hot and obvious. It doesn’t magically erase spots overnight, but it definitely takes the edge off and makes my skin look more even and less touchy.

What I like most about this combo is how easy it makes the rest of my routine. On nights when I don’t have the energy for a five-step line-up, I can do cleansing oil, a gentle second cleanse if I wore makeup, Centella ampoule, and then moisturiser, and my skin still feels like I tried. My face is genuinely clean from the oil, and the ampoule gives just enough hydration and calm that I don’t feel guilty for skipping extra toners or essences. My skin feels balanced – not dry, not greasy – and I can go to bed without overthinking it.

On more “put-together” nights when I want to use actives, the duo still fits in easily. The cleansing oil clears everything off without stripping, so acids or retinoid serums aren’t hitting a stressed, over-cleansed canvas. The ampoule goes on first as a calming, hydrating base, and then I can layer whatever treatment I’m using on top. I’ve noticed that when I keep this pair in my routine, I get less random irritation from new products and my skin just seems more tolerant overall.

I also like how friendly they are to normal skin that leans neither super oily nor super dry. The cleansing oil doesn’t leave a greasy film, so my T-zone doesn’t feel smothered. The ampoule isn’t rich or heavy, so it doesn’t turn my face into a shiny mess, but it also isn’t so light that my cheeks feel ignored. If I want extra moisture, I can simply add a cream on top; if I want to stay minimal, the ampoule on its own under a light moisturiser is enough most evenings.

There’s nothing particularly “Instagram-able” about either bottle – no neon colours, no wild claims on the label – but that matches how they function. They feel like reliable basics I can plug into whatever phase my skin is in. When I’m stressed, when I’m travelling, or when I’ve been testing other products and my skin needs a break, this cleansing oil plus this ampoule are what I fall back on without thinking.

Out of all the pairings I’ve tried, this is the one that makes my routine feel easiest: one product that takes everything off without stripping, and one that quietly calms things down and adds light hydration right after. It’s not a dramatic, “changed my life overnight” duo, but it’s the combination I keep reaching for on the nights when I just want my skin to feel clean, calm, and uncomplicated – and that’s exactly why it’s staying in my lineup.