Between the step Korean skin care routine and the countless serums, acids and high-tech tools on the market today, it’s easy to get carried away with skin care. But how much is too much? Can you overdo it or will an extensive routine yield better results?We turned to some tried-and-true skin care experts to answer all of our questions. Their advice may make you reconsider your multistep skin care routine.
Simple is often better
“While 12-step routines are popular, they may not work any better than one or two steps,” said New York-based dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, who generally recommends using only one to two products in the morning and evening. “The fewer products to apply means fewer products you forget to use. So keeping it simple usually helps people stay on track with regular use of their products.”Dr. Cybele Fishman, a dermatologist in New York City, echoed this sentiment: “I think people do too much to their skin and often end up harming it with all the extra steps. One of my mantras is, ‘Don’t overwash your skin, don’t overtone and don’t overexfoliate.’”
But is a more involved routine bad?
The short answer is no, a multistep skin care routine is not inherently bad. However, there are more mistakes to be made.“Applying multiple products increases your risk of skin irritation, and we don’t know whether the active ingredients in all the products are even compatible. This means that you may be inadvertently inactivating products because of the combination,” said Zeichner.Renee Rouleau, a celebrity aesthetician and skin care expert, said people should think about how much their skin can actually absorb. “A lot of time people are wasting products and money layering on all these things thinking it’s better,” she said. “Normally, it’s the first two products that are the ones making the biggest difference.”
What is the best skin care routine for me?
It’s important to remember that one size does not fit all. A routine that works for your best friend might not work for you. Instead, choose products according to your skin type and need.For those just starting out in skin care, Rouleau recommends trying one new product at a time and slowly adding others on to ensure your skin doesn’t react negatively to any single ingredient.If you’re pregnant, Fishman suggests avoiding products containing retinol, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide as they can be potentially harmful to an unborn child.
The best morning skin care routine
According to Dr. Neil Sadick, a clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell University with a private practice in New York City, your morning skin care routine should be designed to protect your skin from environmental factors, such as harsh ultraviolet rays or free radicals.
1. Cleanser
Start your morning skin care routine by gently cleansing the face. Rouleau recommends a low-foaming cleanser because “the bigger the bubble, the more drying it is on the skin.”
2. Antioxidant serum
Antioxidants are the best way to protect against free radicals. There are two ways to get antioxidants: ingesting them, which Sadick recommends, and applying them directly to the skin. If you’re looking to incorporate them into your skin care routine, try Zeichner’s favorite affordable option below.
3. Moisturizer with sunscreen
Sunscreen is easily the most important step of any morning skin care routine. According to Zeichner, “a one-year study funded by Johnson & Johnson actually showed that applying nothing but sunscreen improved the cosmetic appearance of the skin. Besides protecting the skin from UV damage, it likely allowed the skin to function optimally and heal itself from previous damage.”
