Skincare routine

POST /v1/skin/routine · $0.001 a call

Send a skin type, the concerns to treat and whether the skin is sensitive. The response is an ordered morning and evening routine (cleanse, treat, moisturize, sunscreen) with the ingredient type for each step, how often to use it, and a 7 night schedule that never puts a retinoid and an acid on the same night. Built from fixed rules with no model, so it pairs well with the concerns the skin analysis API returns.

For skincare apps, beauty retailers, acne trackers.

Request

Send these fields as a JSON body (or form fields) on POST /v1/skin/routine. No photo is needed.

Field	Type	Description
`skin_type`	one of oily, dry, combination, normal, required	Skin type. The skin analysis API returns one.
`concerns`	list of: acne, wrinkles, pigmentation, redness, texture, pores, dark_circles, eye_bags, oiliness, dryness, required	Concerns to treat, any of: acne, wrinkles, pigmentation, redness, texture, pores, dark_circles, eye_bags, oiliness, dryness.
`sensitive`	one of yes, no	yes for skin that stings, flushes or reacts easily. Gentler actives and slower start.
`steps`	one of minimal, full	minimal keeps one active per routine. Defaults to full.

Photo tips. No photo needed. Use the skin_type and top_concerns from the skin analysis API, or let the user pick them.

1curl https://truelens.keronlabs.com/v1/skin/routine \
2  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TRUELENS_KEY" \
3  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
4  -d '{"skin_type":"combination","concerns":["acne","pigmentation"]}'

Response

Field	Description
`summary`	One line, e.g. "AM 5 steps, PM 4 steps: retinoid 3 nights a week, benzoyl peroxide in the morning".
`am, pm`	Ordered steps: order, step (cleanse, treat, eye, moisturize, spf), ingredient_type, examples, frequency, why.
`week`	Seven nights, each retinoid, exfoliant or rest.
`frequency`	How to start and build up each active.
`conflicts_avoided`	Timing rules the routine follows.
`patch_test, see_dermatologist`	When to test a product first and when to see a doctor.

Example

Output of this API’s own code on the sample request above.

1{
2  "metadata": {
3    "id": "req_9cf4da08fe7f40dab71a",
4    "engine": "skin/routine",
5    "status": "success",
6    "cached": false,
7    "credits_used": 0.1,
8    "created_at": "2026-10-19T09:30:00.000Z",
9    "processing_ms": 40
10  },
11  "summary": "AM 5 steps, PM 4 steps: retinoid 3 nights a week, benzoyl peroxide in the morning",
12  "skin_type": "combination",
13  "sensitive": false,
14  "am": [
15    {
16      "order": 1,
17      "step": "cleanse",
18      "ingredient_type": "gentle gel cleanser",
19      "examples": [
20        "gel cleanser"
21      ],
22      "frequency": "daily",
23      "why": "Rinse or a light cleanse. Water alone is fine for dry or sensitive skin."
24    },
25    {
26      "order": 2,
27      "step": "treat",
28      "ingredient_type": "benzoyl peroxide",
29      "examples": [
30        "benzoyl peroxide 2.5 to 5% wash or gel"
31      ],
32      "frequency": "daily",
33      "why": "For acne. Kept to the morning so it never sits with the evening retinoid. Can bleach fabric."
34    },
35    {
36      "order": 3,
37      "step": "treat",
38      "ingredient_type": "vitamin C serum",
39      "examples": [
40        "L-ascorbic acid 10 to 15%",
41        "sodium ascorbyl phosphate",
42        "ascorbyl glucoside"
43      ],
44      "frequency": "daily",
45      "why": "For pigmentation. Works best in the morning under sunscreen."
46    },
47    {
48      "order": 4,
49      "step": "moisturize",
50      "ingredient_type": "light lotion moisturizer",
51      "examples": [
52        "glycerin",
53        "ceramides"
54      ],
55      "frequency": "daily",
56      "why": "Keeps the skin barrier strong, which helps it handle actives."
57    },
58    {
59      "order": 5,
60      "step": "spf",
61      "ingredient_type": "broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher",
62      "examples": [
63        "lotion or fluid sunscreen"
64      ],
65      "frequency": "every morning, reapply every 2 hours outdoors",
66      "why": "The single most useful step for spots, lines and redness. Retinoids and acids make skin more sun sensitive."
67    }
68  ],
69  "pm": [
70    {
71      "order": 1,
72      "step": "cleanse",
73      "ingredient_type": "gentle gel cleanser",
74      "examples": [
75        "gel cleanser"
76      ],
77      "frequency": "daily",
78      "why": "Removes sunscreen and oil. Double cleanse with an oil or balm first if you wear makeup."
79    },
80    {
81      "order": 2,
82      "step": "treat",
83      "ingredient_type": "retinoid",
84      "examples": [
85        "adapalene 0.1%",
86        "retinol 0.25 to 0.5%",
87        "retinal"
88      ],
89      "frequency": "3 nights a week to start (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)",
90      "why": "For acne and pigmentation. A pea sized amount on dry skin. Never on the same night as an exfoliant."
91    },
92    {
93      "order": 3,
94      "step": "treat",
95      "ingredient_type": "BHA exfoliant",
96      "examples": [
97        "salicylic acid 0.5 to 2%"
98      ],
99      "frequency": "1 night a week (Saturday)",
100      "why": "For acne. Only on nights without the retinoid."
101    },
102    {
103      "order": 4,
104      "step": "moisturize",
105      "ingredient_type": "light lotion moisturizer",
106      "examples": [
107        "glycerin",
108        "ceramides"
109      ],
110      "frequency": "daily",
111      "why": "On retinoid nights, moisturizer first and retinoid on top cuts irritation."
112    }
113  ],
114  "week": [
115    {
116      "night": "Monday",
117      "treatment": "retinoid"
118    },
119    {
120      "night": "Tuesday",
121      "treatment": "rest"
122    },
123    {
124      "night": "Wednesday",
125      "treatment": "retinoid"
126    },
127    {
128      "night": "Thursday",
129      "treatment": "rest"
130    },
131    {
132      "night": "Friday",
133      "treatment": "retinoid"
134    },
135    {
136      "night": "Saturday",
137      "treatment": "exfoliant"
138    },
139    {
140      "night": "Sunday",
141      "treatment": "rest"
142    }
143  ],
144  "frequency": [
145    "Retinoid: start at 3 nights a week. If there is no peeling or stinging after 4 weeks, add one night every 2 weeks, up to nightly.",
146    "Exfoliant: 1 night a week at most. Skip it if the skin stings or flakes.",
147    "Benzoyl peroxide: a short contact wash (2 minutes, then rinse) is gentler than a leave on gel.",
148    "Give each new active 8 to 12 weeks before judging it, and add only one new product every 2 weeks."
149  ],
150  "conflicts_avoided": [
151    "Retinoid and exfoliating acids are on different nights, never together.",
152    "Vitamin C is in the morning, away from the evening retinoid and acids.",
153    "Benzoyl peroxide is in the morning and the retinoid at night, so one does not weaken or irritate with the other.",
154    "Rest nights between retinoid nights let the skin recover."
155  ],
156  "patch_test": "Before using a new product on the face, apply a little behind the ear or on the inner arm once a day for 3 to 5 days. Stop if it turns red, itchy or swollen.",
157  "see_dermatologist": "See a dermatologist for painful, deep or scarring acne, redness that burns or flushes easily, a spot that changes shape or color, or if nothing improves after 12 weeks. Prescription options work faster for many of these. If pregnant or breastfeeding, skip retinoids and ask a doctor first.",
158  "disclaimer": "General skincare guidance, not medical advice or a diagnosis."
159}