A good skincare routine doesn't need ten steps. For most people, a consistent three-step approach with well-chosen products is more effective than a complex routine. This guide covers the DAEAR three-step ritual: Cleanse, Nourish, Seal.
Why Simple Often Works Well
The Australian climate — strong UV, dry air, air conditioning in summer, central heating in winter — puts real demand on skin. The DAEAR approach is to give the skin a short, consistent routine with formulas it can integrate well, and let the skin do its own work from there.
Step 1: Cleanse
A good cleanser removes the day without stripping the skin's own oils. The DAEAR Honey Oil Cleanser ($48) is a sucragel-based formula that emulsifies to a soft milk on contact with water. It removes makeup, SPF and impurities, leaving skin clean and comfortable rather than tight.
How to use: Massage onto dry or damp hands, apply to dry face for 30–60 seconds, rinse with lukewarm water. Pat dry leaving skin slightly damp.
Step 2: Nourish
Applied to damp skin immediately after cleansing, a facial oil sits efficiently and delivers its botanical compounds into the skin before the sealing step locks everything in.
The DAEAR Dew Drops Barrier Oil ($52) is double-infused with frankincense resin and goji berry in a jojoba base. Press 2–3 drops into damp skin and allow 30 seconds before moving to the seal step.
Note: This step is optional — especially when starting out. Many people begin with just Steps 1 and 3, adding the oil once their skin has adjusted to the routine.
Step 3: Seal
An anhydrous tallow balm applied over damp skin (and over the facial oil if you've used it) creates a lipid-rich layer that supports the skin barrier through the day or overnight.
DAEAR offers three tallow balms:
- Earth Tallow Balm ($45) — the most botanically rich, with warm-infused quandong, rosehip, sea buckthorn and CoQ10. The bestseller.
- Lavender Tallow Balm ($22) — finished with lavender essential oil, suited to an evening ritual.
- Scent-Free Tallow Balm ($38) — fragrance-free, no essential oils, minimal ingredient list.
If you prefer a lighter-texture moisturiser, the Australian Botanical Cream ($69) is a water-in-oil tallow cream that absorbs faster and wears comfortably under SPF — a popular choice for the morning step.
The Full Ritual as a Bundle
The Tallow Skincare Set ($120.70) includes the Honey Oil Cleanser, Dew Drops Barrier Oil and a tallow balm of your choice — the most common starting point for people new to DAEAR.
What to Expect in the First Two Weeks
If you're transitioning from a different routine, your skin may take one to two weeks to adjust. This is a normal part of any routine change. Staying consistent through that window is the most important thing.