Online, you’ll find a lot of confusing or conflicting information about how best to treat your skin. Plus, you’ll come across countless ads for a myriad of scrubs, creams, oils, lotions, and more, all claiming to reduce wrinkles, erase acne, or soften your skin. While some of these claims may prove true, many products and skincare tips will fall short of your expectations. Luckily, you don’t have to decipher marketing messages and online advice on your own-many licensed dermatologists have shared their thoughts on what skincare products and practices actually work.
Your Daily Skincare Routine
When developing your skincare routine, you should start by determining what “type” of skin you have. Your skin’s unique characteristics, like its tightness and dryness, will determine what kind of products you should use to keep your skin healthy. However, there are a few tips that dermatologists recommend for all skin types:
- Wear Sunscreen Daily– Prolonged exposure to UV rays can damage or kill skin cells even beneath the outer layers. Wearing sunscreen, even on overcast days, helps protect your skin from harm.
- Keep Your Hands Off Your Face– Your hands collect dirt, germs, and oil that can transfer any time you touch your face. Picking at pimples can also cause scarring, so avoid this habit as well.
- Simplify Your Routine– Having a complicated routine makes it less likely for you to stick with it. Furthermore, using too many products can actually irritate the skin.
- Don’t Ignore Your Lips– Skin cancer can form on your lips, too. So make sure to wear lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher when going outside.
- Check Your Skin Regularly– Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., making it extremely vital that you check your skin regularly for any new or changing spots or moles.
Acne
Not all acne is the same; there are several different forms of the skin condition, and each has a unique cause. Working with a dermatologist to identify the type of acne you experience can help them treat it more effectively.
Most dermatologist-approved acne treatments consist of topical medication applied to your skin. However, depending on the severity or type of acne, treatment might also include oral medication, hormone therapy, laser therapy, or corticosteroid injections.
Skin Health Supplements
Taking care of your skin doesn’t always mean treating it from the outside-you can also take supplements that strengthen the skin from the inside out. But what do dermatologists have to say about these products?
- Collagen– Collagen protein gives structure to skin, keeping it firm but flexible. The benefits of collagen for skin include better hydration and reduced wrinkles. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers found that women who took oral collagen supplements for eight weeks showed more skin flexibility.
- Vitamin E– In an interview with Allure Magazine, board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban explained that vitamin E “assists in various kinds of cellular restoration from sun damage to healing support for scars or burns.”
Co-Enzyme Q10– In an article reviewed by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian, Byrdie Magazine explained that CoQ10 supplements can help even out skin tone, reduce sun damage, and hydrate the skin.
Professional Treatments
Many dermatologists also offer professional skin treatments. These procedures come at a high sticker price but can have longer-lasting benefits.
- Chemical Peels– Chemical peels work by raising the acidity of your skin. The extra acidity helps loosen the “glue” that binds dead skin cells to live ones and removes them from the surface of your skin. This reveals the healthy skin below the top layer, reducing the look of wrinkles and dry skin. You can learn more about chemical peels by visiting a site similar to thevictoriancosmeticinstitute.com.au for more information.
- Micro-needling– During this procedure, a dermatologist uses a device with ultra-fine surgical needles to puncture the skin. As the punctures heal, the body produces capillaries, collagen, and elastin, which can help reduce the look of wrinkles, fine lines, and acne scars.
- Laser Resurfacing– During laser resurfacing, a dermatologist uses a laser to destroy your skin’s outer layer and remove dead skin cells. Simultaneously, the laser heats the lower layer of skin, which stimulates collagen production over time.
Strengthen Your Skin with a Dermatologist’s Knowledge
Remember, taking care of your skin is a science, making it useful to get professional recommendations from a board-certified dermatologist. With their input, you can discover the products and treatments right for your unique skin.