FAccept it: Sometimes, you’re too busy to pay attention to your skin. What’s a harried person to do when skin care routines praised online Does it usually have more than 10 steps?
We went straight to the source—five dermatologists—to get their desert island tip: the one thing you absolutely must do every day for your skin. The response was unanimous.
1. Always apply sunscreen
Everyone agreed: the first thing you can do to take care of your skin is to apply sunscreen daily.
“Applying sunscreen every day is the most important thing you can do to keep your skin looking healthy and prevent skin cancer,” says Dr. Sara Perkins, assistant professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. “UV radiation can cause hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, not to mention basal and squamous cell skin cancer and melanoma.”
Sunscreen is an obvious choice if you work outdoors or live in a hot, sunny city. But even if you spend most of your time indoors or live somewhere that’s frequently cloudy, this is still important. “I think most people underestimate the amount of sun exposure they get every day. [things like] windows, running errands, walking the dog and playing tennis,” she says. “We also continue to receive exposure on cloudy days and in cooler temperatures.”
Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to your face, neck and any area of skin exposed to the sun, including places you wouldn’t normally consider it, like your ears and the backs of your hands, says Dr. Rosanne Paul, assistant professor of dermatology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She adds that most people underestimate how much sunscreen they need—in general, the amount that fits on your fingertip is the amount you should use to cover the surface of your palm. (Your face is probably the size of two to three palms, so you’d need two to three fingers’ worth of sunscreen.) Another way to look at it, she says, is that a cup full of sunscreen would typically be about the right amount. if you are outdoors in a bathing suit.
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There are mineral and chemical sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens (which contain ingredients like zinc and titanium) create a barrier between the skin and the sun, reflecting UV light into the skin. Chemical sunscreens (which include ingredients like avobenzone) absorb it like a sponge, says Dr. Heather Goff, director of cosmetic dermatology and associate professor of dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Both are effective, but most experts recommend mineral-based sunscreens as they are gentler on the skin, especially for people with conditions like rosacea and eczema. (Additionally, chemical sunscreens can be harmful to ocean coral reefs.) Goff adds that you should select a sunscreen that says broad spectrum, as that means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Some research suggests The blue light emitted by screens can cause skin hyperpigmentation. If you have a lot of dark spots or spend a lot of time in front of screens, consider using a tinted sunscreen, says Paul, as the ferric oxide in tinted sunscreen protects against hyperpigmentation, as does the visible light emitted by our screens.
While sunscreen took the top spot, dermatologists also offered four more skincare priorities.
2. Use a retinoid or retinol
The next most popular advice was to use a topical retinoid. Retinoids, which are a derivative of vitamin A, can promote skin cell renewal; improve pigmentation; minimize clogging of pores; and stimulate collagen and elastin production, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, says Perkins. “Its effectiveness is well supported by decades of researchSo if you’re looking for something that gives real results, this is it,” she says.
Topical retinoids (such as tretinoin) are prescription medications, while retinol is a type of retinoid available over the counter. Prescription retinoids are already in their active form, while retinol needs to be converted by the body to the active form, says Dr. Alexis Livingston Young, a dermatologist at Hackensack University Medical Center. While all retinoids are effective, prescription retinoids are generally believed to be more effective than retinol since they are stronger, says Young. She adds that this area is a bit murky, since over-the-counter retinol products are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Young recommends that people start using a retinoid after age 25 or 30. Retinoids can have side effects like redness, dryness, irritation, and peeling, so she suggests people with sensitive skin start with retinol. And, of course, anyone who uses retinoids should always use sunscreen, as these medications make the skin more sensitive.
3. Add a topical antioxidant to your routine
A great way for people to take care of their skin is to use a topical antioxidant every day, says Paul.
Topical antioxidants can help protect against damage caused by free radicalswhich are harmful molecules generated by the sun’s UV rays. Free radicals can damage DNA, which can cause skin cancer and other skin conditions, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is one type of antioxidant, but there are several others with notable benefits.
Topical antioxidants are available over the counter and most come in serum form. Paul recommends using a vitamin C serum, especially if you want to treat fine lines, wrinkles, or pigmented spots.
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She notes that while there are some very expensive vitamin C serums on the market, “you don’t have to buy an extremely expensive one for it to be effective.”
Paul recommends that people add antioxidants to their skin care routine in their 20s or 30s. Make sure you use an antioxidant product consistently for two to three months before giving up, she says, as it can take a long time to see results.
4. The Lifestyle Stuff: Stay Hydrated, Get Enough Sleep, and Eat a Balanced Diet
By focusing on gut health, you can improve skin health, says Dr. Deeptej Singh, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of New Mexico and founder of Sandia Dermatology.
Many skincare products include antioxidants like niacinamide, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B, and potassium. Including them in your diet — rather than just using them topically — can be an effective way to look after your skin’s health, says Singh. He recommends a diet that focuses on whole plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, beans, and intact grains.
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And don’t forget to drink plenty of H20. “Water is a phenomenally healthy drink, just like tea and coffee,” he says. People often worry about drinking too much caffeine, but caffeine can actually be good for the skinhe says, noting that many skincare products are purposely formulated with caffeine.
Just be sure not to use caffeine to make up for lost sleep: “Sleep is essential for skin health,” he says. “Sleep is the time when we detoxify and repair our body, and if you are trying to use caffeine as a crutch to compensate for lack of sleep, you won’t benefit from it, and you will notice the imbalance in your skin.
Also try to stay away from that glass of wine every night, as alcohol can have a negative effect on your skin. “Alcohol fermentation causes a reaction in the gut, which can overwhelm our detoxification capacity and cause skin inflammation,” says Singh.
5. Consider using a red light therapy mask
Red light therapy masks, which have become increasingly popular in recent years, can be a great addition to someone’s daily skin care routine, says Singh. They can stimulate collagen production and protect against fine lines and wrinkles, he says. (They are also quite expensive, and most cost several hundred dollars.)
But how exactly do they work? Sunlight is made up of near-infrared light (which is invisible and represents 50% of sunlight); visible light (which includes red light); and ultraviolet light. Both red and near-infrared light “directly communicate with our cellular mitochondria, or the cells’ powerhouses, and activate them,” says Singh. “It keeps them young.”
Red light therapy masks can mimic this naturally occurring process. While red light therapy masks are a new trend, Singh notes that different forms of light therapy have been used to treat and prevent skin conditions for more than a century.
Singh recommends using a red light therapy mask at least three times a week to see results, although it’s safe to use daily. As long as you — you guessed it — always wear sunscreen.
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
