Achieving the perfect skincare routine doesn’t need to be difficult! In fact, simple is often best. An overcomplicated skincare routine can sometimes break down the skin’s natural barriers, causing unwanted problems/complications for even the most well-intended user. It’s easy to get confused by all the marketing and social media influences. We often advise patients to review their current skincare routine and keep the following points in mind:\

ASSESS YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE. DO YOU CURRENTLY INCORPORATE THE FOLLOWING?

STEP 1 – CLEANSE.

The base to any good skincare routine is everyday use of an effective cleanser. We recommend that all skin types cleanse one time in the morning and once at night, and certainly before applying any other skincare products to ensure they build on a clean surface. We recommend a gentle, moisturizing cleanser, like Cerave or Cetaphil, that will help cleanse and also protect the skin barrier.
Be ware of exfoliation. Some skin types may benefit from occasional exfoliant use, but exfoliating daily is usually not needed.

STEP 2 – MOISTURIZE.

You need to be moisturizing every day. While it’s especially important to moisturize in the cold winter months to protect against dry and irritated skin, it’s also imperative that you continue to do so all year long as moisturizers help maintain our skin barrier strong and keep the skin protected from environmental irritants. Perhaps our favorite daily moisturizers are the Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore, SkinCeuticals Emollience, and the Skin Better Trio ReBalancing Moisture Treatment, which is both a moisturizer and hyaluronic acid treatment that packs a powerful punch year-round. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is also another great option to consider.

STEP 3: SUNSCREEN.

Wear sunscreen every day. We mean it! While sunscreen application in the sunny summer months is so important, you still put your skin at risk of harmful UVA/UVB exposure any time you’re outdoors – yes, even when it’s overcast, or freezing cold, or even when traveling in the car. Incorporating a daily sunscreen into your skincare routine truly is THAT important to staying safe from melanoma, preventing unwanted aging, and more.
So which to choose? With so many options on the market, it can become overwhelming to pick the best for you. Our answer to this common question is always to choose the sunscreen that you will actually use! Mineral sunscreens (ones that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) are best. Nowadays there are a variety of great options, from clear gel formulations, to tinted options. We offer a variety of dermatologist approved sunscreens on our online store – go check them out!

STEP 4: RETINOL/RETINOID.

You may have heard about Retinol or retinoid for use in treating acne. However, these compounds are also used for anti-aging. Both are vitamin A derived products. Retinols are over the counter while retinoids are FDA approved prescription medications. These vitamin A creams have been studied extensively and there is excellent evidence that they boost collagen production, shrink sweat glands, tighten pores, improve discoloration and slow the aging process.
All formulations can be a bit drying at first. Use a pea-sized amount at night once per week and gradually increase use to a few times each week as your skin learns to tolerate the product. If you aren’t seeing the results you intended, call our office and schedule a consult – you may need a higher dose to achieve the results you’re looking for.

STEP 5: GET YOUR YEARLY SKIN EXAM.

While this last step isn’t something you can act on daily, it is arguably the most important step. Scheduling a yearly skin exam ensures that we can keep an accurate history of your skin over time. Yearly skin exams are particularly important if you have risk factors for skin cancer such as red hair, a history of blistering sunburns or tanning bed use, a high number of moles or a history of dysplastic nevi or a first degree relative with melanoma. Your annual exam is also a good time to discuss your skincare regimen with the dermatologist. Bringing pictures of your skincare products along to your yearly exam and asking about the use of them will ensure that you’re crafting an effective and optimal skincare routine now and for years to come.

So there you have it – the 5 most important skincare staples to incorporate in your routine! Have further questions? Curious to learn more? Give our office a call to schedule your yearly skin exam & discuss more in detail.