I'm a 30-year-old who uses 15 skin care products to fight wrinkles. An expert said I should keep 6 and ditch the rest.

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I'm a 30-year-old who uses 15 skin care products to fight wrinkles. An expert said I should keep 6 and ditch the rest.
Yuri Kim uses an arsenal of moisturizers to combat wrinkles. Skincare experts say her routine is great, but she can cut down on products. Yuri Kim/Insider
  • Yuri Kim, 30, is the Acquisition Marketing Director for Consumer Subscriptions at Insider.
  • She volunteered to have her skincare routine critiqued by licensed aesthetician Brittaney Trent.
  • Trent said while Yuri's overall routine is great, cutting down on products could be just as good for her skin - and wallet.
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Yuri Kim, the Acquisition Marketing Director of consumer subscriptions at Insider, signed up to have her extensive skincare routine reviewed by licensed aesthetician Brittaney Trent.

Kim, 30, has combination skin and told us she wants to reduce wrinkles and the appearance of pores, and prevent sunspots.

Trent analyzed Kim's routine, which includes 15 products, and told Insider what she would change about Yuri's routine to save time and money.

Yuri's routine is in the correct order, but she should condense her three serums into one step

Yuri starts her day by cleansing her face with the Acwell 5.5 pH Balancing Micro Cleansing Foam, toning her skin with 1025 Dokdo Toner, putting on three serums, moisturizing with Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Intensive Anti-Aging Cellular Creme, and topping it off with EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46.

Trent told Insider Yuri nailed the order her routine should be in.

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"In the morning, you want to always start with your cleanser, toner, antioxidant serum, eye cream, moisturizer, then SPF," Trent told Insider.

Because Yuri's primary concern is premature aging, Trent said she should focus on finding products that contain vitamin C and vitamin E for dark spots, and vitamin A for wrinkles.

"Yuri's routine does contain these ingredients, but unfortunately she's doubling (sometimes tripling) up with her product choices morning and night-and she doesn't need to," Trent told Insider. "Plus, pairing down her routine will not only help her skin health, it will save her some money as well."

Kim said she uses Skinceuticals CE Ferulic serum, Caudalie Vinoperfect serum, and Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Intensive Anti-Aging Cellular Creme, all at the same time. Trent said she can pick one because they all contain vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A which moisturizes the skin and reduces the appearance of dark spots.

She said Yuri can nix her third serum, The Ordinary Buffet with Copper Peptides, entirely because the product is not meant to be used with other brightening products.

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Trent warns double cleansing can clog pores and cause 'extreme dryness' for people with normal to dry skin

At night, Yuri likes to double cleanse by using an oil-based cleanser to take off her makeup, Shu Uemura POREfinist2 sakura refreshing cleansing oil, and she follows up with a foam cleanser to clean her skin, Missha Super Aqua Ultra Hyaluron Cleansing Cream.

Trent said while this routine can be good for people who wear heavy makeup or have oily skin, it can have adverse effects on people with combination skin like Yuri.

"I would be careful here because sometimes double cleansing can be stripping and cause oily skin to produce more sebum (oil) and can cause severe dryness with normal to dry skin types," Trent said.

Trent told Insider that Yuri's overall routine is full of great products with anti-aging ingredients suited to her skin. However, sometimes less is more.

"Overall, Yuri's skin looks great and is doing a great job with her routine," Trent said. "All she needs to do is pair down some of these products a bit. Less is more, your routine doesn't need to be complicated. Trust me, your skin (and wallet) will thank you later!"

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