Knowledge is power, and the more you understand about skincare products, the more effective your decisions will be. (Not to mention the money you’ll no longer waste on pretty jars that are mostly just pretty jars.)
Not knowing where to start or what the true core skin care needs are leaves most people guessing and at the mercy of the nice lady behind the cosmetic counter or the mass marketing department behind the shelves at the big-box stores.
If you’re going to invest in products, know what works and what works for YOU.
Proper skincare is essential for maintaining healthy and appealing skin and prolonging the benefits of cosmetic dermatology procedures. Why not take simple steps to ensure your skin remains healthy, vibrant, and resilient over time?
Here, we’ve explained the products and the steps that live up to their promises.
Every skincare routine begins with a cleanser—because no one wants buildup or unexpected breakouts. Cleansing twice a day keeps your skin prepped and ready for action. Does everyone need to cleanse the same way? Not necessarily. Overcleansing is not a good thing either. Are you a minimalist? Not?
If you’re a minimalist and your daily routine is make-up-free, a solid cleanse at night might be enough, followed by a light morning cleanse to refresh, add moisture, and set the skin stage for the next steps.
If you’re keen on wearing full makeup, primers, and/or setting spray or just survived a gym sweat fest, consider a double cleanse. This typically involves using an oil-based cleanser followed by a gel cleanser or scrub. (Just remember, exfoliating should happen no more than twice a week.)
Below are some product suggestions for different skin types: Italicized products are the 2x a week product
We move on to what Dr. Fitzgerald refers to as the “Holy Trinity of Skincare”: Antioxidants, Retinoids, and Sunscreen.
These three are like the Avengers for your skin, battling free radical damage and speeding up collagen production. Think of collagen as the framework of your skin—without it, things start to droop (and not in a cute way).
Antioxidants are your daytime buddies—especially Vitamin C, E, and A, as well as Niacinamide and Zinc. They fight against environmental assaults and make everything work better. Skin suffers from pollutants that cause oxidation and are referred to as Oxidative Stress (or OxS). OsX literally accelerates aging and damages your skin’s ability to protect itself. Antioxidants provide strong preventive defense but are too often ignored and not valued for their potential. Once you try an antioxidant for a few weeks, you won’t give it up.
Here are some antioxidant top picks based on skin type:
Now, about those Retinoids.
These superheroes are best saved for nighttime—think of retinols and retinals as glow-maker agents while you sleep! Start slow (once or twice a week) to avoid overworking and over-reaction. Retinoids help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, make pores appear smaller and smooth rough texture.
Here are our favorites available without a prescription:
Finally, let’s not forget sunscreen—the grand finale of the “Holy Trinity.”
It’s crucial for blocking UV rays and blue light, which are the skin’s arch-nemeses. So slather it on EVERY DAY, reapply often, and don’t take the weekends off! Sunscreens come in both lotion and powder form. Reapplication can get tricky once your makeup is in place, so consider a powder sunscreen as a touchup you can just dust on top.
Powder sunscreen: Colorescience Brush-On (Super handy to have on hand in case you missed the sunscreen step before applying makeup!)
For a Full Regimen Recommendation, try our Skin Product Quiz
