Firstly, I would say cleanser and moisturiser should always be less expensive. The cleanser gets washed away and a basic moisturiser does the same job as an expensive one. If you have money spare, spend it on active ingredients like vitamin c and retinol.
If your skin is dry, I’d start with a hyaluronic acid rather than a vitamin c. Your first step should be to cleanse. I use Cerave hydrating cleanser, then use a moisture spray (curel, avene, Byoma all do one), then use hyaluronic - I use Hada Labo, then moisture spray again. It’s really important to use the spray. For the hyaluronic to work effectively it needs some moisture otherwise it will take it from your skin. Dehydrated skin is a big cause of fine lines.
Once you’ve implemented that, give it a good few weeks before you add another step. If you try and introduce lots of new products at once, you won’t be able to tell what has a positive impact or if your skin reacts to it.
Next, add a serum for your specific problem areas. A vitamin C will even and brighten your skin, but you must always use an spf with it, even in the winter or you’ll end up with pigmentation marks.
That is pretty much my morning routine. Cleanse, Moisture Spray, Hyaluronic, Vit C, Moisturiser, SPF. Take about 3 minutes to do it all.
PM - cleanser, retinol (5 nights) or glycolic acid (2 nights), retinol eye cream, moisturiser.