6 Skincare Tips a Dermatologist Would Give You

Skincare is a hot topic in the beauty and personal care industry. It’s a challenging issue that’s unique to each person. But if you want consistently healthy skin, it’s not as difficult as you may think. The key is to keep things simple.

Try These 6 Skincare Tips 

The topic of skincare is a polarizing one with differing opinions, beliefs, and techniques. Even among dermatologists in the medical community, there are significant variances in how key issues are handled. But for every disagreement or unique approach, there are some commonly held best practices.

By all means, go ahead and schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to get personalized recommendations for your skin. However, if you’re seeking general advice, you can get much of the same information by implementing these dermatologist-approved tips: 

  1. Avoid the Sun 

Moderate exposure to the sun is a good thing. Your body needs vitamin D and getting outside helps you absorb it. However, too much sun exposure is a bad thing and will negatively impact your skin.

When you know you’ll be exposed to the sun for extended periods of time, you should take precautions to cover and protect your skin. In addition to wearing sunscreen, cover your arms, legs, and face as much as possible. During hot summer months, loose clothing will keep you protected without making you uncomfortable. 

  1. Use the Right Products for Your Skin Type 

As much as you may like to buy the cheapest and most convenient product at the store, you have to be aware of your skin type and select skincare products that are ideal for your specific situation. This is especially true for cleansers.

“For oily or acne prone skin, a salycylic gel or benzoyl peroxide wash works great,” says Dr. Ava Shamban, a dermatologist in Santa Monica. “For dry mature skin, use either a moisturizing glycolic or milky cleanser. For skin with brown spots or melasma, use a brightening wash, such as an alpha hydroxy acid cleanser.”

The same goes for makeup, moisturizers, sunscreens, and anything else you apply directly to the skin. Using the right products is half the battle. Get this right, and you’re well on your way to achieving perfect skin. 

  1. Avoid These Ingredients 

“The cosmetics, shampoos, lotions and other products we put on our bodies can be just as harmful as anything we put in them,” Dana Raidt writes for HelloGlow. “Ingredients found in face washes, sunscreens and more have been linked to everything from hormonal disruptions to cancer, and what’s worse is that they go directly into your bloodstream when applied to the skin or hair.”

Read product labels very carefully when shopping for skincare products. Avoid ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate, BHA, triclosan and triclocarban, coal tar, parabens, polyethylene, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, petroleum distillates, “fragrance,” oxybenzone, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, and hydroquinone. 

  1. Avoid Skin Irritation 

It’s best if you can keep skin irritation to a minimum. Unfortunately, the repetitive use of a razor on arms and legs increases the risk of irritation, which makes you prone to other unwanted side effects and symptoms. One option is laser hair removal, which can prevent the need to shave. 

“As state-of-the-art as the procedure may seem, laser hair removal is actually quite simple,” Laser All explains. “Lasers emit pulses of light energy deep into the skin, where they destroy the hair follicle. Once the follicles are destroyed, hair can’t grow back.” 

  1. Stay Hydrated 

Water makes up 64 percent of your skin, which is why a lack of proper hydration can impact the feel and appearance of your skin. If your desire is to look healthy and vibrant, watch what you drink.

Coffee isn’t horrible for you, but you should limit your consumption of caffeinated beverage and instead primarily drink water, fresh smoothies with fruits and veggies, and chlorophyll shots. Alcohol should be avoided as well. (At the very least, it needs to be consumed in moderation.) 

  1. Use Peels Over Scrubs 

Skin scrubs are really popular at the moment. And while they may do a decent job of removing the top layer of skin to reveal a softer layer, they aren’t as healthy as some beauticians make them out to be. In most cases, they trigger collagen-destroying enzymes that are bad for the skin. Instead of a scrub, try a weekly chemical peel (which helps healthy bacteria grow). 

Show Your Skin Some Love 

Your skin is something that requires constant attention. If you want healthy, vibrant skin that’s soft, smooth, and glowing, you have to care for it around the clock. By implementing the suggestions above, you’ll find that your skin looks better than ever.

Zoe Kickhefer
zoe@everydaylifes.com