Our Approach to Your Skin Care
Over the years, our patients have asked us for recommendations in skincare. After researching several physician-dispensed skincare options, we decided on a select skincare regimen created by SkinCeuticals based on efficacy, simplicity, cost factor, and brand reputation.
Getting to Know Your Skin
The first step in determining an ideal skincare regimen is to analyze what type of skin you have. By listening to the history of your skin and examination, we will classify your skin as one of the four types: Normal, Dry, Oily, and Combination.
Based on this, we will make a series of recommendations for your skincare regimen. For first-timers without any experience in regimented skincare, we will start with a simple cleanser, exfoliant, and moisturizer. For those with basic skincare in place, we will discuss adding serums, conditioners, and hydrants for further protection, enhancement, and maintenance of your youthful skin.
1. Cleanser
Simply Clean (gel) vs Gentle Cleanser
SkinCeuticals Simply Clean is an excellent complete cleanser designed to remove waterproof makeup, skin oil with a gentle exfoliation of dead skin. To avoid over-drying sensitive skin, we recommend using about 2-3 days a week followed by a gentle foam-based facial cleanser for the other days of the week as we described above.
For sensitive skin, (or after recent skin treatment), we recommend using SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser which is a milder cream-based cleanser for sensitive and reactive skin.
2. Exfoliation at night
RetinA (prescription tretinoin) vs Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight
RetinA (tretinoin) is well-established anti-aging skin cream. This is a prescription cream, and not to be confused with retinol which is found in many over-the-counter creams and cosmetic products. Tretinoin is an active compound that works directly on your skin, while retinol is an inactive compound that has to be converted into an active compound by your body (which can happen at a slow rate). Tretinoin comes in either cream or gel, and the most common concentration is 0.05%. Our patients with extra sensitive skin or acne-prone skin respond better with gentler 0.025% in gel form. Some people who want extra strength may tolerate 0.1%.
During the summertime, if you live an outdoorsy lifestyle, you may consider taking a break from RetinA/tretinoin and consider a gentler exfoliant, like glycolic acid.
A true 10% glycolic acid for effective exfoliation and natural cell turnover. This helps prevent accumulating dead skin and promotes new skin building for a healthy, glowing appearance.
If you have sensitive skin and are unable to tolerate prescription tretinoin 0.05% topical, or wish to dial down to gentler exfoliation (ie, dry skin in the wintertime), Glycolic 10 would be the step-down option. Before bed, apply a small amount of Glycolic 10 and spread evenly, followed by applying moisturizer evenly.
3. Moisturizer
Triple Lipid Restore vs Daily Moisture
For younger patients seeking a lightweight moisturizer that shrinks the appearance of skin pores, we recommend SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture
For mature patients seeking a moisturizer with an anti-aging skin benefit, we recommend Triple Lipid Restore. Formulated to replenish key ingredients for skin repair and remodeling, the combination of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acid are designed to help restore the skin barrier for moisture retention and remodeling to restore skin smoothness and elasticity.
We recommend using the moisturizer in conjunction with prescription tretinoin 0.05% topical as provided by us. Before bed, apply a small amount of tretinoin first and spread evenly, followed by applying this moisturizer evenly.
ADVANCED SKINCARE:
SERUMS & HYDRANTS
Daytime serum for protection
C E Ferulic with Vitamin C vs Phloretin CF with Ferulic Acid
A patented formula by SkinCeuticals is designed to help protect against free radical damage which can contribute to atmospheric aging of the skin.
Every morning, after cleaning your skin, you should apply a few drops to the dry skin of your face prior to layering over with moisturizer (barrier against dryness) and sunscreen (barrier against harmful UV from the sun). Think of daytime serum as the last shield of defense for your skin as you are out and about with daily life.
For most skin types, we recommend CE Ferulic with Vitamin C. For oily skin, we recommend Phloretin CF with Ferulic Acid for daytime serum.
Night Face Serum for Repair
Resveratrol B E vs Phyto Serum
The purpose of a nighttime serum is to repair the skin damage caused by free radicals brought on by the outside world (example, UV light) and inside your body (example, during digesting alcohol).
Resveratrol is derived from the knotweed plant, a well-known potent antioxidant for neutralizing harmful free radicals. Baicalin is another effective antioxidant that comes from the roots of Baikal skullcap and is known to have skin-calming effects. Finally, vitamin E helps neutralize free radicals and restore the skin’s lipids. This night serum contains 1% concentrated resveratrol, 0.5% baicalin, and 1% pure vitamin E.
Phyto Serum is a botanical-based moisturizing serum. For sensitive skin (including after laser skin resurfacing!), or acne-prone skin, we recommend Phyto serum instead of Triple Lipid Restore moisturizer. This serum is designed to help with discoloration, redness while restoring hydration. Cucumber and thyme are known to calm and soothe sensitive skin.
For routine use, Resveratrol BE is an excellent nighttime serum for skin repair. But if you just had a skin treatment, and we want to actively calm and soothe your reactive skin, we recommend using Phyto Serum during the recovery period. For example, after our patients have undergone laser resurfacing, once the new skin has formed “re-epithelialization” (1-2 weeks after the treatment), redness can persist and Phyto serum and Gentle Cleanser are recommended.
In the morning, after daytime serum (example, C E Ferulic) is applied for skin protection, apply 2-3 drops of Phyto Serum to your face and neck. Next, apply the sunscreen for your day’s start.
At nighttime, apply the nighttime serum after the tretinoin topical cream.
Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier
Hyaluronic acid is the main ingredient of the most commonly used dermal filler (“injections”) brands such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero. While Hyaluronic acid applied onto the skin will not penetrate the skin, it will serve as a conditioner for your skin to help improve firmness and smoothness.
We also feel that using HA intensifier over the fine lines treated with hyaluronic acid dermal fillers around the mouth or frown lines improves the outcome.
Apply a few drops in the morning and at nighttime after applying your moisturizing in the morning, and/or after applying tretinoin at night.
Around the Eyes – A.G.E. Eye Complex
Rejuvenating eye cream designed specifically for the delicate eye area. Emphasis is on re-hydration of skin and reduced puffiness.
For the lips – Antioxidant Lip Repair
This daytime emollient treatment for lips is formulated to attract and retain water through hyaluronic acid and hydroxyethyl urea, and neutralize free radical through vitamin E and Silymarin from milk thistle seeds.
In our practice, we recommend this to patients who are seeking rejuvenation of the lips (for example, after lip filler or laser resurfacing around the mouth).
