The Top 5 Skin Care Tips a Dermatologist Swears By

The skin care industry is full of widely known mantras for glowing skin and products that claim to do x, y, and z. With so much hearsay, it’s hard to discern between what’s real and what’s rehearsed, what’s a gimmick and what’s go-to. That’s why we’ve looked to the pros to share the skin care pointers we really ought to know. We tapped board-certified dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon, and Skincare.com expert Dr. Michael Kaminer for the five skin-saving tips he lives by.    

You won’t find Kaminer yo-yoing back and forth between products in his skin care routine. “Choose a day and night regimen that you like and stick to it,” he says. “Changing products is not necessary and can introduce elements into your skin care regimen that upset your skin.” Plus, following a routine religiously will help it become like second nature.

It’s no secret that dermatologists are huge advocates of sunscreen use every day—January through December. Sun damage can cause fine lines, wrinkles, age spots—and even some cancers like melanoma—to appear on the skin’s surface, so heed their advice. “Start using sunscreen early in life,” Kaminer says. “It is not an accident that most dermatologists have good skin. We follow our own advice.”

Need help picking the best broad-spectrum SPF for your skin type? We’ve laid out our favorite facial sunscreens—for dry, normal, sensitive and oily skin—here! 

The advantages of makeup use during the day become disadvantages overnight if it’s kept on the face, Kaminer says. The pores can become blocked and suffocated, which can lead to breakouts and blemishes. Before you snooze, wipe away all traces of cosmetics with your favorite makeup remover wipe or tissue-off makeup remover. 

Quick refresher: glycolic acid is a gentle exfoliator that can help slough off dead skin cells and surface grime, as well as help minimize the appearance of pores to reveal brighter, younger-looking skin. It’s found in many peels and acne-fighting products, and Kaminer stands behind the ingredient. “Men should embrace the use of glycolic acid or other alpha hydroxy acids in the morning or at night,” he says. “Men usually won't apply products twice a day, but once is better than none.”

DON’T DISCOUNT AFFORDABLE PRODUCTS 

Most people assume that the pricier the product, the better it’ll perform. Kaminer says not so: “More expensive is not always better.” Sometimes, the higher cost is more of a reflection of the cost of packaging rather than the formula. So, before you go and spend a couple of Benjamins on a serum, lotion, or cream, consult the ingredients list for the most accurate reflection of what you’re getting. But also know that some products really are worth the splurge!