1. I know sunscreen is the golden rule of any skin-care routine, but I've been overlooking it with the usual excuses: I don't spend much time outside, I always wear sunscreen for outdoor trips, and I hate the greasy feeling and the time it takes the absorb. However, Dr. Engelman says only 10-15 minutes a day is enough to add up.
2. While I do use serums, I definitely underestimated their importance. Dr. Engelman calls them the "workhorse products" that deliver actives deep into the skin for specific concerns. Now, I'll make sure not to skip them — and to pay more attention to the serums built to target specific concerns, since they're the ones most capable of addressing them (think: fine lines and hyperpigmentation).
3. I had also heard conflicting advice on whether I could layer moisturizers over my other products — would it counteract what I just put on (and likely paid so much for)? Dr. Engelman says I should be layering a moisturizer over other (lighter) products, especially at night when the body's hydration is rebalancing. The skin can lose water while we sleep, but a serum and a cream at night can create a permeable seal so that whatever you have underneath can penetrate and hydrate. The only thing to avoid is layering BHAs and vitamin C over Differin — my retinol treatment.
4. I'll also be buying an overnight mask. Dr. Engelman explained that while the body is in deep, restful sleep, the skin's metabolism increases — making cell turnover and renewal faster. Overnight masks support this.
5. Lastly, I'm going to be more precise about how long I leave my clay mask on. It's great at absorbing oil, but if it absorbs too much it can force the skin to compensate by becoming more oily itself.
All the products Dr. Engelman recommended while critiquing my skin-care routine:
- Cleanser: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Replenishing Cleansing Oil, $36
- Serum: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, $120
- Serum: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, $166 (Editor's note: Check out this $30 Maelove serum that has a similar ingredient list to SkinCeuticals for a more budget-friendly buy.)
- Acne solution: Differin Gel, $25
- Mask: Derm Institute Antioxidant Gel Masks, $120
- Mask: iS Clinical Tri-Active Exfoliant, $60
- Mask: Elizabeth Arden Probiotic Boost Skin Renewal Biocellulose Mask, $67
- Overnight mask: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer, $24
- Overnight mask: SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Cream Dry, $61
- Overnight mask: Dr. Brandt Skincare Hydro Biotic Recovery Sleeping Mask, $52
- Overnight mask: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Overnight Firming Mask, $88