What is my skincare regimen?
Probably the main question I am asked is "What is your skincare regimen?" Here I am going to talk about my morning and nighttime routine, but please remember that everyone's skincare needs vary and this is not a one size fits all. I have tried many, many products over the years and also have fairly sensitive skin and these are the products that I always go back to. My regimen has been stable now for several years. Realize I also see my aesthetician monthly and love Botox:)
Morning routine:
The basics of every morning routine should include a cleanser and a sunscreen. There are many great products out there for cleansers, and this is not an area where you need to spend a lot of money on your product. I personally prefer SkinMedica AHA/BHA cleanser, but have used many good basic products over the years. Some of the products that I regularly recommend in clinic are Cerave, Cetaphil, Vanicream, and EltaMD cleansers.
I do apply treatment products (antioxidants) in the morning, but this is a bonus step. I use antioxidants from SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ serum and Lumevive AM to help combat the UV exposure we get here in Florida. I then follow with a Hyaluronidase based moisturizer, SkinMedica HA5. This step can be combined with a sunscreen if you want to simplify and use a combination product of a moisturizer with sunscreen (there are many out there).
The most important part of your morning routine is last, the sunscreen. My personal favorite is EltaMD clear tinted sunscreen. I have tried many sunscreens over the years and always go back to this one. Using a sunscreen with some tint actually provides some additional protection. Remember that all of these products should be brought onto your neck and décolletage as well.
For my body, I use Eucerin Daily Hydration Body Cream with SPF 30 every day. If I am going to be outside at the beach or swimming, I add EltaMD Active SPF 50+ about 30 minutes prior to going out. I keep Colorescience Unforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50 in my purse and my car for touchups.
My makeup also has SPF in it. I use Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Therapy SPF 35 for my undereye concealer and Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF 30 for foundation.
Nighttime Routine:
The most important parts of your nighttime routine are making sure that you take off your makeup and use a retinoid. I use the same SkinMedica AHA/BHA cleanser at night after using Neutrogena oil free makeup remover.
I follow this with antioxidants again (remember that these are bonus), specifically SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ serum and Lumevive night. I then use either prescription strength Retin A or SkinMedica Retinol depending on what I have at the time. I finish with SkinMedica HA5 again as moisturizer. For the eye area, I apply SkinMedica TNS illuminating eye cream.
Remember that if you are new to retinol, start out only using it a few nights a week and then increase as tolerated. Again, the most important part of your night routine is taking off your makeup religiously every night and trying to get retinol in at least a few times a week!
Please note that this is not a regimen that everyone should be on. You can absolutely get a fabulous skincare regimen with over the counter products and I will have an upcoming blog on some of my favorites that I recommend in clinic. This is the regimen that I have come to love after years of trialing various products. If you need help formulating a plan for your skincare needs, please speak with your dermatologist and aesthetician for a more personalized regimen.
