Best Skin Care Routine And Skin Care Products Guide Recommended By Dermatologists

Nowadays, Skin care advice is available infinitely, especially now that many of us can learn new tips and tricks on social media. We consult dermatologists for skin care advice as we try to answer the question of “What is the best skin care routine and product?“. They are the ultimate experts in the field and can provide medical advice on how to achieve your best skin yet. 

So, in this article, we’ll go over dermatologist-recommended skin care routine tips and tricks from morning to night.

Types Of Skin 

Before discussing the best skin care routines, we must first know about different types of skin. Our skin is classified based on numerous variables relating to their balance, including sebum secretion, moisture, and sensitivity. It is true that genetics determines our skin types, but it is also influenced by other factors and can even change over time.

There are five types of healthy skin based on these characteristics: 

• Normal
• Dry
• Oily
• Combination (both oily and dry skin)
• Sensitive

The main aspects of each type of skin are described below.

Normal Skin

Normal skin types typically have small pores, a smooth skin texture, and are less prone to sensitivity or blemishes. Even if normal skin has no specific issues or concerns, it still requires proper skincare to look and feel its best.

Key Features:

• There are no or few flaws.
• There is a radiant complexion
• Pores are barely visible.
• There is no extreme sensitivity.

Dry Skin

Dry skin produces less sebum (natural oils) than other skin types. This can make it feel tight or less elastic, noticeably dehydrated, and more prone to displaying more visible fine lines. Dry skin often appears dull and rough, flaky, or even scaly. It may also become itchy or irritated. 

Dermatologists recommend avoiding excessively long, hot showers and moisturizing multiple times per day. Gentle, soothing, and hydrating ingredients, such as ceramides, should be included in a dry 0 skin care routine. Dermatologists also recommend using fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and alcohol-free products on dry skin.

Key Features:

• There is a dull, rough complexion.
• Lower skin elasticity.
• Pores are practically invisible.
• There are red patches.
• Lines are more visible.

Oily Skin

Oily skin produces an abundance of sebum, which causes the skin to appear shiny and greasy, particularly in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), people with oily skin may have fewer wrinkles, but they may also be more prone to enlarged pores, acne blemishes, blackheads, and whiteheads.

The key to an embracive oily skin care routine is to select products that nourish and hydrate without clogging your pores or causing breakouts. A gentle, foaming, oil-free, and non-comedogenic moisturizer is essential for oily skin. Remember that just because oily skin produces more natural oils doesn’t mean it needs less moisture than other skin types.

Key Features:

• There is a dull or shiny, thick complexion.
• There are blackheads, pimples, or other blemishes.
• Pores are enlarged.

Combination Skin

Combination skin has both dry and oily areas, with the T-zone typically being oily and the cheeks being either dry or normal. This skin type can change with the seasons and due to a variety of factors such as stress or hormone fluctuations. Cleansing and hydration are essential for caring for skin that is oily or normal in some areas but dry in others.

Key Features:

• Pores are larger than normal due to being more open.
• There are Blackheads.
• The skin is shiny.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is usually called a skin type, but it is possible to have oily sensitive skin, dry sensitive skin, or normal sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, it may appear red and feel burning, itching, or dry, regardless of the type of skin you have. These symptoms may be related to having skin that is more sensitive to external irritants, and they may be triggered by specific ingredients, such as dyes or fragrances, as well as environmental factors.

If you have sensitive skin, you might be able to figure out what causes it and avoid products that contain those ingredients. You can also change your surroundings to limit your exposure to triggering agents.

Key Features:

• Burning sensation
• Dryness
• Redness
• Itchiness 

What is my skin type?

Your skin type is determined by the amount of sebum (oil) produced by your skin. The oiliness of the skin can change over time and be influenced by factors such as stress, genetics, hormones, humidity, and the aging process. In just 30 minutes, you can perform a test at home to determine what type of skin you have.

The blotting sheet method 

Blotting sheets absorb oil when pressed to the skin—and you can use them to help you figure out what type of skin you have. 

After washing your face, gently pat it dry and set aside for 30 minutes. Then, apply blotting sheets to different areas of your face, then hold them up to the light to reveal the oil marks. 

• You have oily skin if the sheets absorb a lot of oil from all over your face. 
• You probably have dry skin if the sheets absorb little to no oil. 
• You have combination skin if the sheets show only a small amount of oil from your T-zone.
• If you only see a small amount of oil on your face, you most likely have normal skin.

It’s important to note that any skin type can be sensitive or prone to acne breakouts, though those with normal skin may be less likely. However, with the right skin care products, you can care for your skin while tackling issues such as sensitivity and acne blemishes.

Skin Care Routine For Each Skin Type

Keeping it simple with a streamlined skincare routine of effective products increases your chances of actually following through in the morning and evening and adhering to the ultimate skin care rule – never sleep in makeup. When it comes down to it, essential face products are frequently all that is required for an effective skin care regimen.

Steps to Every Skin care Routine

According to dermatologists, regardless of your skin type, to get the most benefit out of a daily skincare routine, you should start with these simple steps:

1. Cleansing
2. Treating
3. Moisturizing
4. Sun protection

Cleansing means washing your face, and moisturizing means hydrating your skin, but what does “treating” mean? In essence, it means incorporating serums or creams packed full of beneficial ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and others.

A Quick Tip from Us

Serums, masks, creams, and skin care routines are thrown around a lot these days, and every celebrity or public personality seems to be running their own line of products. They often introduce their own “school of skin care” and make claims about their formulas, as if it were possible to know if these solutions are scientific or merely lifestyle-based.

Call us old-fashioned, but we still prefer skin care routine advice from a legitimate dermatologist. Nonetheless, dermatologists are the ultimate experts and can provide medical advice on how to achieve your best skin. They are in the best position to identify skin needs and characteristics as well as specific solutions.

Skin care Tips for Normal Skin 

Below you can read skin care routine tips for normal skin:

• Morning/Night Cleanser: A sulfate-free cleanser with a mild lather promises to keep your skin free of blemishes. 
• Toner (morning/night): Avoid using ingredients like SD alcohol 40, denatured alcohol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol. 
• Moisturizer With SPF (Morning): Moisturize with SPF twice in the morning, once on the face and once on the neck. Sun protection isn’t just about the number, it’s about how liberally you apply it. Your skin will be protected from the sun and moisturized without clogging your pores if you use a light moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30. Dermatologists advise consumers to search for ingredients like sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, and dimethicone (also referred to as hyaluronic acid).
• Antioxidant Serum (Night): Derms recommend searching for an antioxidant serum that contains naturally energizing ingredients like rosemary and peppermint along with brightening ingredients like vitamin C and algae extract. 
• Moisturizer (Night): Use a creamier moisturizer without SPF at night to hydrate your skin while you sleep.

Skin care Tips for Dry Skin

In this section you can read skin care routine for dry skin :

• Cleansing Lotion (Morning/Night): For those with dry skin, a super-mild, non-foaming cleansing lotion is best. 
• Toner (morning/night): To balance the pH of your skin, replenish moisture, and provide protection from environmental stress. 
• Antioxidant Serum (Morning): Dermatologists advise using an extremely potent antioxidant serum (look for vitamins E, A, and C) during the day to help prevent collagen breakdown; just make sure to follow up with SPF. 
• Moisturizer With SPF (Morning): The last step in your morning skincare routine should be a hydrating moisturizer with SPF. Consider using a product with hydrating components designed to help your skin retain moisture while protecting it from UVA and UVB rays.
• Retinol Serum (Night): Doctors recommend that five nights per week be dedicated to using an over-the-counter retinol serum. Serums have an advantage over creams because they have smaller molecules and can penetrate the skin more effectively.
• Eye Cream (Night): Peptides are good for increasing collagen activity, so look for an eye serum with them. 
• Hydrating Moisturizer (Night): Rosehip seed oil, evening primrose oil, borage oil, phospholipids, cranberry oil, sweet almond oil, and jojoba oil are some ingredients to look for in moisturizers. All of these components better restore the moisture barrier of your skin by acting like the natural lipids in your skin.

Skincare Tips for Oily Skin

Is your skin oily? Below you can read about skin care routine for oily skin:

• Cleansing Gel (Morning/Night): Oily skin encourages the growth of bacteria, which causes breakouts. Dermatologists advise washing your skin, if possible, three times daily. More oil provides a breeding ground for imperfections. It’s also advised to use a sulfate-free gel or foam cleanser. While you want oil-cutting agents, you also don’t want to use too many detergents, which could dry out your skin.
• Toner (Morning/Night): Dermatologists recommend looking for a toner free of alcohol that contains ingredients like witch hazel (a natural astringent without the drying effects of alcohol), geranium (a helpful essential oil for reducing oil), and sodium PCA (a humectant designed to hold water to your skin).
• Morning AHA/BHA Serum: Any serum containing alpha-hydroxy acids or beta-hydroxy acids will help reduce the appearance of large pores and brighten dull spots. To keep acne-prone skin clear, look for ingredients like salicylic acid and tea tree oil.
• Oil-Free Moisturizer (Morning/Night): If you think your skin’s oil production justifies skipping moisturizer, consider this: When your skin is dehydrated, it may overcompensate by becoming oilier. With this in mind, look for a light, oil-free moisturizer with sodium PCA and glycerin in the ingredient list—these are humectants that help your skin retain moisture.
• Zinc Oxide Sunscreen (Morning): People with oily skin are the least likely to use sunscreen because they can’t find one that is suited for their skin type. For your oily skin care routine, dermatologists recommend looking for zinc oxide sunscreens because they leave your skin with a more matte finish. It’s also a natural antibacterial, making it ideal for acne sufferers.
• Retinol Serum (Night): Retinol is effective for oily skin because it makes pores appear smaller with continuous use.

Skincare Tips for Combination Skin

In this following section you can read about Combination skin:

• Cleansing Gel (Morning/Night): Begin and end with a cleansing gel. If your skin becomes too dry, switch to a cleansing lotion.
• Toner (Morning/Night): Try a simple balancing toner that contains witch hazel. 
• AHA/BHA Serum (Morning): AHAs and BHAs reduce the appearance of pores and brighten dull skin. If you have acne, look for ingredients like salicylic acid and tea-tree oil to keep your skin clear.
• Lightweight Moisturizer (Morning/Night): While combination skin does not require an oil-free moisturizer, it does require one that is lightweight. 
• Zinc Oxide Sunscreen (Morning): Because of their matte finish, zinc oxide sunscreens are excellent for combination skin. 
• Retinol Serum (Night): A retinol serum is a friend to all skin types, including combination skin. You’ll wake up with practically brand new skin if you use a good retinol serum.

Skincare Tips for Sensitive Skin

• Morning/Night Cleaning Lotion: Use a mild, sulfate-free cleansing lotion to remove your makeup and any impurities without harming your skin’s protective barrier.
• Alcohol-Free Toner (Morning/Night): White tea extract, green tea, chamomile, and bisabolol are all relaxing, anti-inflammatory ingredients to look for in toners and moisturizers. According to dermatologists, beta-glucan is an element that supports the immune system of your skin and helps it become less sensitive over time.
• Fragrance-Free Moisturizer (Morning/Night): When selecting a moisturizer, look for one that is free of synthetic fragrances, which can cause irritation and allergic reactions. Avoid using alcohol and synthetic dyes if you have sensitive skin.
• Zinc oxide SPF (Morning): According to dermatologists, zinc oxide sunscreens are the least likely to irritate sensitive skin. Titanium dioxide sunscreens are effective, but they can leave a white cast on medium and darker skin tones.

Top Skin Care Products

Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to skincare routines, dermatologists agree that only a small number of skin care products are actually required.

The first line of defense against fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and hyperpigmentation is sunscreen. Look for a sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, protects against UVA and UVB rays, and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Everyone should also wear a hat with a three-inch brim, seek shade, wear long sleeves and pants, and reapply sunscreen every two hours while exposed.

Cleansers and moisturizers are the other essentials, according to dermatologists. Cleansers should be used at least once a day, ideally before going to bed, to get rid of any makeup, dirt, pollutants, or other impurities that may have gotten stuck on the skin during the day. This provides the skin with a blank slate, allowing it to breathe and heal any damage.

Some dermatologists advise using moisturizers that include ceramides, which are lipids that our body naturally produces. Around half of our skin’s outer barrier is made up of ceramides, which are lost as we age. They relieve skin irritation, control rosacea, and eczema, and keep moisture in for dry skin.

In addition to sunscreen, cleanser, and moisturizer, dermatologists recommend Vitamin C and retinoids as two additional products. Regular use of both ingredients can help address age-related issues like dark spots and fine lines.

How To Treat Skin Problems

Skin diseases are illnesses that affect the skin. These diseases can cause rashes, inflammation, itchiness, and other skin changes. Medication, creams or ointments, or lifestyle changes may be used to treat skin diseases. Acne, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and psoriasis are some of the most common skin diseases. 

Skin diseases can develop as a result of lifestyle factors. The following are some of the most common causes of skin diseases:

• Trapped bacteria in your hair follicles or pores
• Exposure to environmental triggers, such as allergens or someone else’s skin.
• Sun
• Fungus 
• Genetics 

Skin changes are not always the result of skin diseases; they can also be the result of other conditions, such as an underlying medical condition or even simply wearing ill-fitting shoes. Skin disease symptoms can include dry, itchy, red, flaky, swollen, discolored skin, or a rash, depending on the type of skin you have. 

Many skin diseases are amenable to treatment. A dermatologist or other healthcare provider may recommend antibiotics, antihistamines, laser skin resurfacing, or oral medications, among other things, depending on the condition.

Making lifestyle changes can also help to alleviate the symptoms of skin conditions. If your doctor recommends it, you can avoid or limit certain foods, such as sugar or dairy. Alternatively, practice good hygiene, including proper skin care, and abstain from excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.

Conclusion + Skincare Tips

While planning and following a skin care routine, keep in mind that it’s not all about buying fancy products and making your vanity look “instagrammable”! The main goal of a skincare routine is to keep your skin healthy and well-fed to reduce the effects of aging and the environment. Below are 3 important tips to keep in mind:

Patience

If a new skin-care routine doesn’t seem to be “working” right away, remember that when it comes to skin care, patience is required. Allow your skin at least two to three months to adjust to a new product or active ingredient before switching.

Consistency

Trust the process (and your own skin) and stick to whatever skincare routine you make for yourself.

Less is more

Doing less and sticking to it is the key, important active ingredients will serve you much better than doing too much. Stick to products with fewer ingredients and that are fragrance-free, and gradually introduce new products.

Lastly, don’t feel obligated to include every step in the above lists because not everyone enjoys a multi-step skin care routine. Many people follow the rule of applying products from thinnest to thickest. The most important thing is to develop and stick to a skin care routine that works for you based on the specific needs of your skin. If you are unsure of what your skin care routine should be, consult with a dermatologist.