A Daily Skin Care Routine

People often ask me which skin care products I use… so here they are! As you’ll see, most of my favorite products are inexpensive and widely available.

Whatever your skin type, the brands you find at your local drugstore are typically your best bet. Larger skin care companies have the biggest budgets for research and development, and can sell highly effective products at affordable prices. There are a couple of products I recommend splurging on if you can - keep reading to find out which ones.

Remember, though, that skin care is not one-size-fits-all. It’s important to choose products that are tailored to your particular skin needs. If you’re familiar with my book The Skin Type Solution and the 16 skin types it describes, you know that I define skin according to four different parameters.

I’m a DSNW, for example: That means my skin is dry, sensitive, non-pigmented (not prone to hyperpigmentation), and "wrinkled" (more susceptible to aging than "tight" skin types).

If your skin sounds similar to mine, check out these excellent products - they’ve all served me well!

Morning:

1. I begin by washing with Dove Energy Glow Facial Cleanser, a moisturizing cleanser that’s great for my dry skin.
2. Then I apply SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum for a boost of antioxidants. If you’re going to splurge on any product in your arsenal, this is one of two places to do it - good facial serums deliver highly concentrated antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients, giving you a lot of bang for your buck.
3. To sufficiently moisturize my skin, I then apply ATOPALM MLE Face Cream, followed by Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion with SPF 15. Again, my skin is quite dry - if yours is less dry, the Purpose product can do double-duty as your sole daytime moisturizer and a sunscreen.
4. If I’m going to spend any significant time in the sun, though, a moisturizer with SPF is not enough. I add a chemical sunscreen like La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 15 (if I’m lucky, I might even have some of the SPF 50+ version that’s only available abroad!), followed by Blue Lizard Australian Suncream for sensitive skin. (The Blue Lizard is a physical sunscreen - that is, it contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect light - and may appear white for the first few minutes after it’s applied.) Using both a chemical and a physical sunscreen might seem like overkill, but it’s absolutely the best way to protect skin in sunny environments.

Evening:

1. Again, I start by washing my face with Dove Energy Glow Cleanser.
2. One of the products I use most religiously is my prescription-strength retinoid of choice, Tazorac. This is the only other place I recommend splurging on a skin care product - after the initial visit to the dermatologist, a month’s supply of most retinoids cost around $30, and it is not covered by insurance for anti-aging purposes. (I am assuming one tube lasts three months). It’s worth it: This is the only ingredient proven to not only prevent new lines and wrinkles, but also minimize the existing ones.
3. Next I apply an antioxidant-rich product like Topix Replenix Cream CF.
4. Finally, I apply ATOPALM MLE Face Cream to nourish my skin while I sleep.

Remember that every good skin care regimen should also include a full range of skin-friendly nutrients. In addition to eating a healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, I take coenzyme Q₁₀ supplements - 200mg every morning is a great way to fight aging. Enjoying several cups of green tea a day and a dark chocolate treat from time to time are my other favorite ways to ensure that I’m getting plenty of antioxidants.

Wishing you great skin!