Doctor K's Daily Skincare Routine
Hi everyone! I always get questions about my daily skin routine as a dermatologist and wanted to share more with you here. My morning skin routine is more extensive than my evening. For me, having, and sticking to, a morning skin regime is just as important as that first cup of coffee (though coffee sometimes may be the first priority). Here is an overview of what my routine looks like:
The AM Routine
1. Bioderma Facial Cleanser
I start off with a facial cleanser. I use Bioderma sebium foam gel because my skin runs slightly on the oily side. Sebium cleanser has both zinc & copper sulfate, which are purifying agents that decrease oil production of the skin. Additionally, it has vitamin E, which is gentle on the skin and helps with skin repair. This cleanser is soap-free, which helps balance the physiologic PH of the skin. It can also be worked into a foam shaving agent. While I don’t shave my beard, I do use it to keep my lines even. As a side note, I tend to shave after my shower because it makes hair softer and pores more open.
I always rinse with cold water — a nice wake-up call (along with coffee).
2. Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Serum
I also apply a serum in AM and use Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Serum. I start my day with this because Vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals from UV radiation, pollution, and other environmental factors. It also stimulates collagen production, which is helpful in the regeneration of the skin.
3. Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Cream
Anyone with pigmented skin knows dark marks are always a struggle- could be from the sun, acne, scarring, or hyperpigmentation of the skin. I use Lytera 2.0. Lytera does not have hydroquinone, for those who may have an irritation to this. I love to travel and this is a great product to take on the go as they have a great travel size. Definitely looking forward to post-pandemic traveling!
4. UV Clear Elta MD SUNSCREEN
We all have those days where we barely have time to get dressed, let alone take extra time for our skin; however, no matter how much of a rush I am in, I always, always remember to put on my sunscreen. We often do not realize how much UV we are exposed to on a daily basis and overexposure ultimately makes our skin age much quicker. I use UV clear Elta MD (SPF 46) because it’s non-comedogenic and made for acne-prone skin. It also applies evenly on my dark skin. Another plus is that it doesn’t constrain oxybenzone so I don’t bleach the coral reef when I go swimming in the ocean!
The PM Routine
For my PM routine I only apply retinol and a moisturizer:
1. Retin-A-Micro
I use Retin-A-Micro, which is a prescription-strength retinol. The active ingredient in Retin-A-Micro is tretinoin (a topical retinoid). Retinoids are used as an anti-aging treatment and can help reduce the appearance of soft wrinkles, improve skin texture, and make the skin appear more youthful overall. They are also used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne and hyperpigmentation. Your dermatologist can prescribe and recommend retinol that is the best type and strength for your skin and goals.
An effective over-the-counter retinol option is Alpha Ret by Skin Better. This particular product is only available for purchase through dermatology offices; however, you do not need a prescription. Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5 is another OTC option I recommend that you can purchase anywhere.
2. ZO Skin Health Creme Moisturizer
Retinol can dry out the skin and cause some irritation, especially when you first start using it so it’s important to keep your skin moisturized. After I apply my retinol, I use ZO Skin Health Hydrating Creme by Zein Obagi. This is a great, lightweight moisturizer that is suitable for most skin types. SkinMedica Ha5 Rejuvenating Hydrator is another moisturizer I highly recommend!