Dermatologists actually recommend simplicity - What products and how often?

We all know the skin is your body’s largest organ, so it’s important to take good care of it. With an endless amount of trendy ingredients and a crowded marketplace, it can be hard to choose what best suits your skin for real results. Dermatologists recommend keeping it simple for a few reasons, here's why:

•incompatible ingredients: Applying multiple products increases your risk of skin irritation, and we don't know whether the active ingredients in all the products are even compatible. This means that you may be inadvertently inactivating products because of the combination

•unable to penetrate, wasting money: A lot people wasting money layering multiple products thinking it's better, but in most cases, the first two products are the ones making the biggest difference.

•simplicity helps you stay disciplined with a regular routine: A routine more than 3-4 steps may end of being too much too remember, and thus complicated, leaving you to avoid the task rather than staying consistent and relishing in a simple skin care self care regimen.

Here are recommendations for a simple daily routine (and some extra weekly or bi-weekly treatments) by skin type. If you have specific questions about your skin type or how to take care of your skin, talk to a dermatologist.

THE BIG TAKEAWAY

Regardless of skin type, a simple targeted skincare regimen includes a morning routine that focuses on protection (from the sun and environmental triggers) and a nighttime routine focused on repair.

Don’t overwash your skin, don’t overtone and don’t overexfoliate.

woman waking up

Skin type: OILY (non-sensitive) with focus on anti-aging

Simply, protect and prevent damage in the morning and repair skin damage in the evening. Limit routine to cleanser plus 2-3 products max.

MORNING ROUTINE: water rinse, apply antioxidant rich serum, add 2nd moisturizer in winter, then spf

NIGHTTIME ROUTINE: cleanse, moisturize

Skin type: NORMAL with focus on hydration and anti-aging

The best anti-aging skin care routine includes strict sun protection during the day and a retinoid at night. Prioritize organic moisturizers and topicals.

MORNING ROUTINE: cleanse and moisturize with SPF

NIGHTTIME ROUTINE: double cleanse,

ADDITIONAL TREATMENTS: Every two to three months: Light glycolic and chemical peel (to boost skin cell turnover and brighten complexion).

Skin type: COMBINATION

With oily and dry skin, change focus on products and regimens that maintain that perfect balance.

MORNING ROUTINE: cleanse, antioxidant serum, oil free moisturizer with SPF

NIGHTTIME ROUTINE: double cleanse, serum, cream

Skin type: NORMAL to DRY with focus on hydration and anti-aging

Morning routine is centered around protection, whereas nighttime routine is all about renewal. This is based on skin circadian rhythms, which dictate the necessary process for healthy skin.

MORNING ROUTINE: cleanse, antioxidant serum, mineral SPF

NIGHTTIME ROUTINE: cleanse, antioxidant serum, retinol cream

Skin type: OILY and SENSITIVE

With acne- and eczema, skincare routine is all about prevention and rejuvenation. Morning routine is focused on creating a clean slate and a layer of defenseNight routine focuses on ridding skin of any environmental toxins and readying it to repair overnight.

MORNING ROUTINE: cleanse, antioxidant serum, mineral SPF

NIGHTTIME ROUTINE: cleanse, antioxidant serum, cream

Skin type: OILY; Acne-prone with focus on anti-aging

Focus on products that are anti-acne and anti-aging with data-proven ingredients.

MORNING ROUTINE: scrub, antioxidant serum, cream, mineral SPF

NIGHTTIME ROUTINE: cleanse, retinoid serum, cream

Skin type: COMBINATION; acne-prone with focus on anti-aging

A lot of acne is hormonal acne, so anti-aging and balancing skincare products that prevent breakouts and wrinkles are key.

MORNING ROUTINE: cleanse, tone, antioxidant serum, moisturizer with SPF

NIGHTTIME ROUTINE: cleanse, exfoliate, retinoid serum, cream

Skin type: SENSITIVE, Acne-prone

Look for multitasking products to layer —even sunscreens—to get the benefit of wonderful ingredients that will help skin instantly and in the long run.

MORNING ROUTINE: cleanse, antioxidant serum, moisturizer with SPF

NIGHTTIME ROUTINE: cleanse, exfoliate, retinol serum, cream

ADDITIONAL TREATMENTS: Every week: Masks for exfoliation and brightening to address dull skin.

Skin type: DRY (with T-zone combination)

Look for multitasking products to layer —even sunscreens—to get the benefit of wonderful ingredients that will help skin instantly and in the long run.

MORNING ROUTINE: cleanse, antioxidant serum, moisturizer with SPF

NIGHTTIME ROUTINE: cleanse, exfoliate, retinol serum, cream

ADDITIONAL TREATMENTS: Every week: Masks for exfoliation and brightening to address dull skin.

woman after bath time

Skin can behave differently by the day due to many factors: age, hormones, weather, environment, products, and stress can all affect how skin looks and feels. Getting familiar with your own skin's unique fluctuations and changes is key in customizing a skincare routine when needed.

2 Responses

Lauren Padawer (Founder)

November 11, 2022

Hi Pat,
If you’re looking for a secondary moisturizer, I think your dermatologist would be in the best position to recommend one that would reduce chance of a breakout alongside other products you’re currently having success with, such as the vitmain C serum or your spf/moisturizer.

If the vitamin C serum is working, keep using it in your morning routine, but perhaps try a different moisturizer at night, one that can be used without need for spf and is deeply restoring and reparative? Our Protect&Defend Restore Cream would be a great fit for you to try at night without conflicting with your daytime product use.

https://alaskaglacial.com/collections/all/products/protect-defend-squalane-hyaluronic-restore-cream

Pat Wengel

November 11, 2022

I am 69 and I have sensitive skin, sometimes drier during winter, here in VT. If I use skincare products, more than once a day, I tend to have breakouts, which i contribute to over use of products. Therefore, I am always trying new products to help with deep wrinkles, at times, and keeping hydrated. I have had melanoma skin cancer, on arms, and basil cell and squamous cell on my face in the last 10 years. I get checked often. I am using a vitamin C serum lately and seems to be working okay. If I add another moisturizer, my skin starts breaking out. I have a spf lotion I use during summer months, and or, when UV rays are higher and recommended. I’d like to use a moisturizer with spf daily, but as I said, sometimes I break out, or the product seems to sit on top of skin and nothing penetrates. I have used your mud mask, out of now, once or twice a month, but not sure if it made any difference. Your suggestions would be appreciated, since I believe in your company.

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