General Skin Care

Maintaining a comprehensive skin care routine is essential for attaining healthy, radiant skin. Even the most basic skin care regimen can minimize the appearance of discolorations, refine pores, and improve overall skin texture. By consistently cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, you can promote a more even complexion, smoother surface, and more youthful glow.

You do not need expensive products or an overly complex routine to have healthy skin. Consistent care is more important than the number of steps or the price tag. When it comes to the basics, remember this: clean your skin, hydrate your skin and protect your skin. When using products to complete this routine, remember to layer from lightest to thickest. This means sunscreen always comes last.

Let’s take a closer look at each step, in the order it should be done.

• Cleansers: Skin cleansers are designed to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities from the skin’s surface. They come in various formulations, such as foaming, gel-based, cream-based, or oil-based cleansers; each caters to different skin types. Ideally, cleansers work by breaking down debris and pollutants without stripping the skin of its natural oils, maintaining its pH balance. Choosing a cleanser suited to your skin type ensures effective cleansing without causing irritation or dryness.
• Moisturizers: Skin moisturizers have a somewhat misleading name. They are not actually returning water to your skin. They work by sealing in moisture, preventing water loss and maintaining the skin’s natural barrier function. They come in various formulations like creams, lotions, gels, or oils, catering to different skin types and concerns. Regular use of moisturizers is essential to keeping your skin hydrated, smooth and supple, especially if you are using drying or exfoliative products such as retinoids.
• Sunscreen: Using sunscreen is one of the most important elements in maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin, preventing wrinkles and protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays (i.e. what causes skin cancer). Sunscreen should be applied every single day, even if the weather is cloudy. Here are a few additional tips:
  • Look for sunscreens with a minimum SPF of 30.
  • Tinted mineral sunscreens provide the most protection. Mineral sunscreens work by creating a physical barrier on the skin that reflects and scatters UV rays, preventing them from penetrating the skin. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the main active ingredients in mineral sunscreens due to their effectiveness in protecting against both UVA and UVB rays. Chemical sunscreens work differently, using organic compounds like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate that absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, which is then released from the skin. Mineral sunscreens are often recommended for people with sensitive skin, as they are less likely to cause irritation than chemical sunscreens. They are also considered reef-safe, as they do not contain chemicals that can harm marine life.
  • Reapplication is recommended every two hours, which can be difficult if you are wearing makeup or out and about. A powder sunscreen brush can be helpful for easy reapplication throughout the day. It’s important to remember, however, that powder sunscreens are not a substitute for standard sunscreen. They are a convenient complement.
  • Similar to any medication, sunscreens do have an expiration date which is usually located both on the bottle or tube, as well as on the carton. It’s important you look for and abide by this date, as it loses effectiveness over time.

To determine which products best suit your needs, you can consult a board-certified dermatologist. This is an especially important step if you are experiencing skin-related issues.

Beyond cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens, there can be an effective fourth step in your skin care routine: using a serum. 

Skin serums are lightweight, highly concentrated skin care products designed to deliver active ingredients deep into the skin; they offer targeted solutions for various skin needs. Serums are typically applied after cleansing and before moisturizing, and they are essential to individualizing your process. Remember: Skin care needs are as individualized as fingerprints; each person’s skin requires a unique combination of products and treatments to achieve optimal health and appearance.

The most popular serum formulas often include the following ingredients:

• Vitamin C: Brightens skin, evens tone, and helps with collagen production.
• Hyaluronic acid: Provides intense hydration and plumps the skin.
• Retinol: Reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and promotes cell turnover.
• Niacinamide: Minimizes pores, controls oil production, and brightens skin.
• Peptides: Stimulate collagen production, aiding in skin firmness and elasticity.
• Antioxidants: Protect against environmental damage and the formation of free radicals.
• Salicylic acid: Targets acne, exfoliates, and unclogs pores.

The amount of serums on the market can be overwhelming. It is important to know that serums come in various concentrations and formulations, catering to different skin types and concerns. Speak with your dermatologist for recommendations on trusted brands and ingredients.

As you age, your skin undergoes changes that require you to adapt your skin care regimen to target emerging concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, uneven tone, and loss of firmness.

In your 20s, focusing on prevention is key: this means engaging in consistent cleansing, moisturizing, and diligent sun protection. As you enter your 30s, introducing antioxidants, retinoids, and targeted treatments can help combat early signs of aging. In your 40s and beyond, placing a greater emphasis on hydration and incorporating richer moisturizers becomes essential, as decades of sun exposure can thin the skin and damage your collagen.

There are many in-office treatments that can supplement a healthy skin care routine, including skin resurfacing and smoothing treatments, skin tightening treatments and skin pigmentation treatments. Consult a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon to determine if any of these can help you achieve your desired results.