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Photo: Getty Images / Willie B. Thomas
We all know the importance of taking care of one’s health. Whether it’seating foods that are good for your gutorengaging in exercise, it’s our job to take care of our bodies on both the inside and the outside. And while I’ve been doing a decent job with the former, I’ve been overlooking a crucial part of my health: my skin.
Although it is a tad overwhelming to create a skin care routine (there are just so many products to choose from!), it’s definitely doable if you have experts to rely on. That’s why I spoke with Ben Johnson, MD, founder and formulator ofOsmosis BeautyandMamina Turegano, MD, FAAD, @dr.mamina onInstagramandTikTokto get their expert advice on how to start a skin care routine, the products to begin with and other tips for taking care of your skin.
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Why a Skin Care Routine Is Important
If you’re not sure where to start, Johnson has a helpful general rule: “treat according to age.” For example, someone in their 20s is “just starting to lose collagen in [their] dermis, so [they] do not need the big guns or growth factor serums for now.” Meanwhile, someone in their 30s would begin to need products for collagen restoration and maintenance and barrier protection. Finally, someone in their 40s and beyond has skin that “now wants more growth factors,” which is where serums would be useful. So keep in mind that age can have a factor in what your skin will need.
As for the timing of your skin care routine, both Turegano and Johnson recommend having a morning and evening routine. But if you think you’ll struggle with maintaining a routine (aka the reason why I don’t currently have a successful one), Turegano recommends keeping the products “next to your toothbrush and toothpaste as a reminder.”
How to Figure Out Your Skin’s Needs
Before you can browse the aisles of skin care products, you’ll need to figure out what your skin needs first. Luckily, Turegano has a quick test that you can do. First, clean your face with a gentle cleanser and wait 30 minutes to one hour before examining your skin. “If your entire face is oily, you have oily skin,” says Turegano. However, “if you only have oil in your t-zone [the area of your forehead, nose and chin], then you have combination skin. If your entire face is dry and your skin feels tight, you have dry skin.” Figuring out your skin’s needs will help you wade through the different products on the market. Or, if you know you have a certain skin type or condition (for example, rosacea or acne) and want specific product recommendations, Johnson’s Osmosis Beauty hasa helpful quiz on their websiteto get you started.
3 Products to Start a Skin Care Routine
Although your needs may change based on your skin type, condition and age, Turegano and Johnson recommend three basic types of products for any skin routine: a cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen (this is also the order in which you should use these products).
First, a cleanser is important as Turegano notes, “with regular cleansing, you are washing away the dirt, pollutants, sweat and oil build up that can contribute to things like acne or accelerated aging.” Meanwhile, Johnson suggests looking for a cleanser that “does not strip the skin of its protective lipids,” and recommends Osmosis Beauty’s Cleanse, which features lavender oil to soothe redness and alleviate dryness. Or, try this cleanser from First Aid Beauty, which features aloe leaf extract to cool inflammation (check out morehealth benefits of aloe).
01of 06Osmosis +Beauty Cleanse - Gentle Cleanser (6.7 fl. oz.)Buy NowDermstore
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Osmosis +Beauty Cleanse - Gentle Cleanser (6.7 fl. oz.)
Buy Now
Dermstore
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First Aid Beauty Pure Skin - Face Cleanser (5 oz.)
03of 06Osmosis +Beauty Quench - Nourishing Moisturizer (1.69 fl. oz.)Buy NowDermstore
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Osmosis +Beauty Quench - Nourishing Moisturizer (1.69 fl. oz.)
04of 06Osmosis +Beauty Hydrate - Plumping Moisturizer (1.69 fl. oz.)Buy NowDermstoreFinally, to complete your skin care routine, Turegano recommends sunscreen as it “is the most important product for anti-aging and skin cancer prevention.” Her go-to product is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50 because it makes her skin look flawless. Turegano says that “everyone has different preferences on the consistency and appearance of the sunscreen, so it’s important to find one that you like so that you use it consistently.” Meanwhile, Johnson recommends Osmosis Beauty’s Protect, which has an SPF of 30.
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Osmosis +Beauty Hydrate - Plumping Moisturizer (1.69 fl. oz.)
Finally, to complete your skin care routine, Turegano recommends sunscreen as it “is the most important product for anti-aging and skin cancer prevention.” Her go-to product is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50 because it makes her skin look flawless. Turegano says that “everyone has different preferences on the consistency and appearance of the sunscreen, so it’s important to find one that you like so that you use it consistently.” Meanwhile, Johnson recommends Osmosis Beauty’s Protect, which has an SPF of 30.
05of 06La Roche Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Tinted Daily Tone Correcting Primer with Sunscreen (1.35 OZ.)Derm Warehouse
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La Roche Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Tinted Daily Tone Correcting Primer with Sunscreen (1.35 OZ.)
Derm Warehouse
06of 06Osmosis +Beauty Protect - SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen (1.69 fl. oz.)Dermstore
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Osmosis +Beauty Protect - SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen (1.69 fl. oz.)
Bottom LineSo if you’re starting a routine for the first time (or restarting a routine), these products can help you and your skin feel its best. Just remember that results can take a while to appear, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Skin health is a long-term investment, and starting a skin care routine is the first step. As for me? I’ll be stocking up on these three products ASAP.I Look Like a Zombie When I Use This Facial Treatment—but My Skin Has Never Looked Better
Bottom Line
So if you’re starting a routine for the first time (or restarting a routine), these products can help you and your skin feel its best. Just remember that results can take a while to appear, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Skin health is a long-term investment, and starting a skin care routine is the first step. As for me? I’ll be stocking up on these three products ASAP.
I Look Like a Zombie When I Use This Facial Treatment—but My Skin Has Never Looked Better
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