The 411 of Skin Care

I have been asked both in my personal life and in my career, Do I REALLY need a skincare routine?   

There was a time that skincare was something that was only taught to young girls, with good old soap and water  (if you could even get them to bathe) was the most that was expected for boys.  

Thankfully, skincare concerns and routines are no longer limited by gender. 

That said, some of our patients have come in with the belief that soap and water followed by a blob of Neutrogena should be all that you need. Is this true? And if not, why should we care?  

Why Should You Care About a Skincare Routine?

The top reasons to care about developing a skincare routine include but are not limited to the following.

Healthy Skin Maintenance

A skincare routine helps in maintaining the health and vitality of your skin. Regular cleansing, moisturizing, and other skincare steps can prevent issues like acne, dryness, and premature aging. 

Protection from Environmental Factors 

Our skin is exposed to various environmental factors such as pollution, UV radiation, and harsh weather conditions. A skincare routine can include products with ingredients that offer protection against these damaging factors. 

Prevention of Skin Problems 

Consistent skincare can prevent common skin problems like acne, blackheads, and uneven skin tone. By keeping the skin clean and hydrated, you reduce the likelihood of these issues occurring. 

Anti-aging Benefits 

Many skincare products contain ingredients that help to reduce the signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. Regular use of these products can help maintain a youthful appearance. 

Improved Confidence 

Taking care of your skin can boost your confidence. When your skin looks and feels healthy, you're likely to feel more confident in your appearance. 

Establishing Self-care Rituals 

A skincare routine can also serve as a form of self-care and relaxation. Taking a few minutes each day to care for your skin can be a soothing and enjoyable ritual. 

Overall, a skincare routine is essential for maintaining the health and appearance of your skin, preventing problems, and promoting a sense of well-being. 

Breaking Down Skincare Routines

Let’s move on to what are the most common core skincare routines. These are tailored to specific needs.   

Basic Daily Skincare Routine

This is essentially the fundamental 3-steps that everyone should get into a habit of doing. What happens in each step may be different, but the goals are the same.  This routine should occur both day at night with some minor comments as noted.  In general, I ALWAYS recommend a mineral sunscreen for the face for ALL skincare routines and concerns. The body – I’m less concerned about the type and more concerned about the SPF number. That said, here are the basics:  

• Cleansing: Start your day with a gentle cleanser to remove overnight impurities and refresh your skin. In the evening, use a cleanser to remove makeup, sunscreen, and the day's dirt. 

• Moisturizing: Apply a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer to keep your skin nourished and balanced. 

• Sunscreen (am)/Treatment (pm): Always use a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 during the day to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, pollution, and other environmental attacks to the skin.  In the evening, you would apply your customized treatment product. Depending on the product, it may be applied either before or after the moisturizing step.  

Anti-Aging Skincare Routine 

• Cleansing: Cleanse your face morning and night with a gentle, anti-aging cleanser. 

• Serums: Incorporate a serum containing antioxidants, and vitamin C  to protect the skin and/or  medical grade peptides that encourage the production of both collagen and elastin.  

• Moisturizing: Use a richer moisturizer to hydrate and plump the skin.  

• Sunscreen (am): Apply a sunscreen with a higher SPF. Make sure you reapply SPF during the day for continuous protection. Treatment (pm) At night, one should apply a retinol to help with cellular turnover and keep the skin looking bright and not dull.  

Acne-Prone Skincare Routine 

• Cleansing: Depending on how sensitive your skin is, use a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide cleanser to target acne-causing bacteria and unclog pores. 

• Treatment: Apply a targeted acne treatment, such as a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid gel, to affected areas.  

• Oil-Free Moisturizing: Choose an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer to hydrate without exacerbating acne. 

• Sunscreen: Select a non-comedogenic sunscreen to prevent sun damage without clogging pores. The best choice for acne-prone skin is a physical sunscreen (containing zinc or titanium) and niacinamide (which is a B vitamin).  Treatment (pm) At night, one should apply a retinol to help with cellular turnover and both treats and prevents breakouts. 

Sensitive Skin Skincare Routine

• Gentle Cleansing: Use a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic cleanser to avoid irritation. 

• Calming Serums: Incorporate serums with ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, or hyaluronic acid to soothe and hydrate sensitive skin. 

• Hypoallergenic Moisturizer: Choose a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturizer to provide gentle hydration. 

• Mineral Sunscreen (am) : Select a mineral sunscreen with ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum protection without irritation. Treatment (pm) At night, one should apply a retinaldehyde (which is a very mild form of retinol) to help with cellular turnover without causing irritation.  

Remember consistency is key in any skincare routine and each change of season may require some minor adjustments to what you need to do.  In addition, if you are introducing new products, do this gradually so you can really evaluate how your skin responds.  

Consider a Skin Consultation

The outline above is very basic and can be followed by anyone. If you are reading this, it is likely that you have specific concerns or conditions, so my recommendation will always be to have a skin consultation.  

At Trevi our skincare consultations involve multiple forms of  photography which allows us to really analyze the health of your skin. We review the findings with you and come up with a plan that may involve 2 stages.  

The first stage being a corrective stage that will involve products and procedures to help you restore your skin to one that is more youthful and trouble free. The corrective stage will be then followed with a maintenance stage or skincare routine that you will follow to maintain your youthful glow. The maintenance stage is not static, as mentioned above, we recommend coming in with each season change so we can make the small changes that are required for your skin.  

Also, new, and innovative products (and procedures) are released frequently, so don’t assume that you will continue to do the same routine indefinitely.