We updated this article in November 2022 to ensure the information reflected current prices, features and more. Our top picks, based on testing notes from the Good Housekeeping Institute, remain the same, aside from the addition of Vichy Normaderm Phytosolution Intensive Purifying Gel. 카지노사이트
So you want to start a proper skincare routine, but you have some questions: How many skincare products do you have to use? Which ones are right for your skin? In what order should you be applying these products? And what do the products even do? We spoke with top dermatologists to help you figure out where to start and what to keep in mind while building the best routine for your skin.
Three Main Skincare Routine Steps
To get the most benefit out of a daily skincare regimen, no matter what your skin type, you should start with three simple steps, according to Ashley Magovern, M.D., dermatologist and owner and founder of Manhattan Dermatology in Manhattan Beach, California: 바카라사이트
- Cleanse
- Treat
- Moisturize
You probably already know that cleansing means washing your face and moisturizing means hydrating your skin, but what does “treating” involve? Well, in addition to keeping your complexion in tip-top shape, the goal of any good skincare routine is to target problem areas. So, treating means incorporating serums or creams packed full of beneficial skincare ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, alpha hydroxy acids and others, depending on your skin type and the results you want to see, explains Dr Magovern. “Adding a middle step in between the cleansing and moisturizing components is really important,” Dr. Magovern says. “It can make a huge difference over time and in the health, appearance and aging of your skin.”
Stick With It
Good things come to those who wait — and that includes skincare routines. Even the best skincare products take time to work, so don’t expect results overnight. If you stick to a consistent, daily routine, you can likely expect to see some benefits within six to 12 weeks — and it can often take at least three to four months to know if your new routine is really working.
Here, the best dermatologist-approved daily skincare routine for morning and night, including the basic steps that should be in every at-home regimen for oily, dry, combination or acne-prone skin (we’ve included the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab’s top-tested product picks for each step, too).
Your Morning Skincare Routine Steps
1. Cleanser
Face cleansing should be the first step in any skincare routine, as it clears away impurities and excess oil that can clog pores and dull skin. But be gentle. “Too many people cleanse too much or too often or with a cleanser that’s too harsh, which will actually break down your skin’s protective barrier,” Dr. Magovern says. If you have dry or sensitive skin, try washing only at night and rinsing your face with water in the morning.
The best formulas will gently cleanse your skin without stripping it of healthy oils. “A [good] sulfate- and soap-free cleanser for the face will be pH-balanced and gentle to maintain skin’s barrier without stripping,” says Whitney Bowe, M.D., a New York City dermatologist and author of The Beauty of Dirty Skin. For everyday cleansing, here’s how to shop for the best facial cleanser depending on your skin type: 온라인카지노
- Oily skin: A foaming or gel cleanser will ensure adequate removal of excess dirt and oil from your skin; ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid can help regulate and remove excess oil.
- Acne-prone skin: A gentle foaming cleanser with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur is your best bet.
- Dry skin: Look for a cream or balm formula with hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and botanical oils.
- Sensitive skin: Try micellar water, an ultra-gentle cleanser that includes tiny particles called micelles that trap impurities and lift them away without drying your skin in the process.
2. Toner
Toners are a water-based skin care liquid that’s applied to dry skin after face cleansing using fingers, a cotton ball or cloth, and before using other leave-on skincare treatments like serums and moisturizers. A good toner can help make sure your skin is totally clean and gunk-free, plus give it an extra dose of active ingredients.
You don’t need a toner, but swiping one on can be a great way to refresh skin, remove any residual debris and balance pH, Dr. Magovern says. And if you’re looking for additional complexion-purifying and brightening benefits, today’s toners are much more advanced than the drying alcohol- and astringent-based formulas of yore, packed with skin-boosting benefits that can leave you glowing. Here are the ingredients you’ll want to look for, based on your skin type:
- If you have acne-prone skin, look for a toner with hydroxy acids, including salicylic acid and lactic acid, which increase cell turnover.
- For dry or sensitive skin, seek out a hydrating toner (or its sister, an essence) made without parching alcohol and with ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to soothe.
- For combination skin, look for gentle exfoliants, hydration boosters and antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E and green tea, which can combat free radicals and prevent skin damage
- For oily skin, look for astringents, such as alcohols or witch hazel, that tighten pores.
3. Serum
A serum tailored to your skin concerns can both treat and protect, delivering concentrated amounts of powerful ingredients that can address a number of complexion issues, from wrinkles to dark spots — and if you have multiple concerns, you can use several different serum formulas. But you’ll want to read the labels carefully, because some serums are best used in the morning, while others are ideal for nighttime.
One serum everyone can benefit from in the morning? An antioxidant serum, which will prevent the formation of free radicals and lessen signs of aging over time. And the gold-standard antioxidant serum is vitamin C. “Everyone should use vitamin C, no matter what age,” Dr. Magovern says. “It helps reverse a lot of the skin damage we get from the sun and pollution.” For darker skin tones, hyperpigmentation can be a common issue, and using a vitamin C serum in the morning can also help mitigate dark spots, says Jennifer David, D.O., a dermatologist in Philadelphia and founder of Skin & Scripts Virtual Dermatology.
In addition to antioxidant serums, you can try anti-aging serums featuring the following ingredients to address wrinkles, fine lines and more:
- Hyaluronic acid serums to draw moisture into the skin, combatting dryness and dullness, plus plumping skin.
- Niacinamide,a form of vitamin B3 that brightens and evens skin tone, boosts collagen production and calms inflammation.
- Retinoids to stimulate cell turnover to increase collagen production, reducing wrinkles and hyperpigmentation (best used at night!).
- Peptides, made of amino acids, are the building blocks of collagen and can boost its production to smooth lines and increase skin’s firmness.
4. Eye Cream
Eye creams are different than face creams because they’re formulated specifically for the delicate eye area, which ages faster than the rest of your face — and therefore it falls into the “treat” category, too. If you’re concerned about fine lines, wrinkles, a lack of firmness, dark circles or undereye bags, an eye treatment product is definitely worth it.
To target dark circles, seek out niacinamide or vitamin C; and for puffiness, use a formula with caffeine, advises Marnie Nussbaum, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. For wrinkles and sagging, look for formulas with peptides and retinol. Finally, “vitamin K can help with dark undereye circles and hyaluronic acid with hydration,” says Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., a dermatologist in Westport, CT and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. To treat multiple eye area issues, shop for a combo of these ingredients targeted to your needs.
When applying in the morning and at night, lightly tap on a formula targeted to your eye-area concerns, using your ring finger (your weakest) to avoid tugging on delicate skin and causing damage.
5. Moisturizer
Next come face moisturizers, which keep your skin soft and hydrated and help strengthen its barrier. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, opt for a lighter moisturizer during the daytime, such as a lotion or gel that will soak in quickly and won’t pill under makeup. If your skin is drier, try a thicker formula, like a cream. Either way, dermatologists recommend moisturizers for all skin types, year round, since hydrating is crucial for keeping skin youthful and healthy. “Look for ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid, since these ingredients are the building blocks of moisture retention in skin,” Dr. David explains.
6. Sunscreen
Dermatologists agree: Sunscreen is the most important step in any skincare routine, for every skin type and age. “If you don’t wear sunscreen, you might as well not do any of the other steps,” Dr. Magovern says. “The sun is the number one reason skin ages prematurely.” And the damage isn’t only cosmetic, no matter what your skin color: “People of color can and do get skin cancer,” Dr. David says. “Plus, if you’re treating hyperpigmentation without daily SPF use, it’s like taking two steps forward and one step backward.”
Heads up: Protecting your skin from the sun is important even if you’re spending your days indoors, as UV rays can penetrate through the windows.
Smooth on a nickel-sized dollop of broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher face sunscreen as the last step in your morning skincare routine, including on your neck and the backs of your hands, 30 minutes before you head outside. If you want to minimize the steps in your routine to make things easier, you can use a daily moisturizer will SPF instead of applying a moisturizer and SPF separately.