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How to Build the Perfect Skincare Routine

This is a question I literally get 10 times a day so let's review a perfect morning and nighttime skincare routine that will build and maintain beautiful, healthy skin. They only require five products total, but you want to pick your products carefully, based on your skin needs and always go for quality over quantity for your skin. 

Let’s start with products you do and don’t need to include in your routines.

The Essential Five

An effective routine is a simple one and only requires five well-formulated products.

1. A Good Face Wash: Start with a gentle, yet effective face wash to cleanse your skin without stripping it of essential oils.
2. A Quality Face Moisturizer: Find a reliable face moisturizer that suits your skin type to keep it hydrated and balanced – you can use this morning and night.
3. Zinc-Based Sunscreen: Sun protection is non-negotiable. Opt for a sunscreen with zinc oxide for broad-spectrum defense.
4. Vitamin C-Based Antioxidant: Incorporate a vitamin C-based antioxidant into your morning routine to shield your skin from damage and promote a healthy glow.
5. Night Treatment: Invest in a night treatment that encourages cell turnover and addresses existing damage. Look for ingredients like retinol, bakuchiol, or glycolic acid.

Special Consideration for Oily Skin

Those with oily skin may require a lighter daytime moisturizer and a richer nighttime alternative. This heavier moisturizer can also be applied to the neck and the eye area for added hydration and nourishment.

Products You DON’T Need*

(but if you want, you can add just be careful)

• Eye Cream
• Neck Cream
• Toner
• Separate Day vs Night Moisturizer (Only need 1!)
• Individual Ingredient Serums (Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Azelaic Acid, etc.)

While these products can be fun to use, they are not necessary to have in your routine and are often not doing as much for your skin as you think they are. For example, you do not need to have a separate cream for every part of your body. You only need one well-formulated moisturizer that can be used on your entire face, neck and chest. Save money and save room on your shelf.

Learn more about why less is more HERE.

The Perfect Morning Routine

 

 

Step 1: Splash Face With Water / Wash Face

• If  you have normal to dry skin, do not wash your face, it's only going to dry you out more. 
• If you have oily skin, wash your face. 
• Pat dry before moving on to step two. 

Step 2: Antioxidant Treatment

On bare, dry skin, apply an antioxidant treatment like the Day Preventive Treatment. Antioxidants including vitamin C (the most well studied,)  vitamin  E,  ferulic acid, acetyl zingerone, coenzyme Q and many others are able to protect your skin from the aging, free radicals produced by sun, pollution, even blue light. By having these ingredients on the top layer of your skin, they are able to collect free radicals before they penetrate the skin preventing their breakdown of collagen or formation of brown spots.

Tip: If you have sensitive skin, vitamin C can be irritating, so look for products with 10% or less and use the oil soluble form of vitamin C, tetrahexyl decyl ascorbate. Our Day Preventive Treatment is formulated with 10% THD and is great for sensitive skin.

Step 3: Moisturizer 

If you have oily skin, you can use a lightweight moisturizer like our Face Lotion. If you have dry skin, opt for a richer moisturizer like our Face Cream that can also double as your eye cream.

Step 4: Sunscreen

A broad-spectrum sunscreen should be worn every day, all year round. Yes, you heard me, year round. Protecting yourself from the sun decreases your risk of getting skin cancer and slows the signs of aging.  Studies show that the sun’s UV radiation causes 90% of skin aging. I recommend mineral (zinc-based) sunscreens, but the most important thing is to find a sunscreen you like and will wear everyday.

Tip: Zinc-based sunscreen can be drying for people with dry or sensitive skin. It is important to get a nice layer of moisture on the skin first, before applying sunscreen to prevent drying of the skin.

Find my favorite sunscreen recommendations HERE. Follow the sunscreen step with makeup if you're wearing any. Then, throughout the day,  if you're outside or working by windows, reapply your sunscreen. It can be spray, powder, compact or cream… whatever agrees with you and that you will actually reapply.

The Perfect Night Routine

 

 

Step 1: Face Wash

In the evening, start by washing your face to remove sunscreen, makeup, and any accumulated dirt or sweat. A gentle cleanser is all you need to prepare your skin for the night. Doctor Rogers Face Wash removed everything in one wash, no need to double cleanse.

Step 2: Night Treatment

Apply a night treatment product that aids in cell turnover, reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and addresses pigmentation concerns. Look for ingredients like Bakuchiol, retinol, tretinoin, and glycolic acid. These ingredients are powerful allies in rejuvenating your skin while you sleep. Our Night Repair Treatment is bakuchiol based and well-tolerated by sensitive skin.

Step 3: Moisturizer

After using a night treatment, support your skin with a moisturizer. You can use the same moisturizer you applied in the morning, applying it generously to your face, neck, and chest. I recommend the Face Cream because it is rich, ultra-hydrating and can be used around the eyes so you do not need an eye cream. 

I want to emphasize you do not need to use Doctor Rogers products but you should be selective with the products you do use. Spend money on quality products for your key five steps, not on an extensive collection of specialty products like toners, eye creams, neck creams or single ingredient products such as hyaluronic acid or niacinamide, mists or essences. More steps does not equal more beautiful skin but often increases the risk of unwanted outcomes. By sticking to five well-formulated products, you'll provide your skin with everything it needs to be beautiful and healthy.

Quality over quantity is the key to a successful routine.

 

These recommendations are not sponsored. They are the result of Dr. Heather D. Rogers, MD evidence-based research and extensive clinical experience. 

To learn more, sign-up HERE to receive weekly educational newsletters from our founder and dermatologist, Dr. Heather D. Rogers, MD.  

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