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My best advice for building a solid anti-aging skincare regimen

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By: Dr. Corey Hartman, Skin Wellness Dermatology

If you know me at all, you know I’m a skin minimalist, and that’s why I have two goals when it comes to creating an anti-aging skincare regimen for my patients. 

Goal #1: Make it effective.

Goal #2: Keep it simple.

Let’s face it, nobody has time for a 30-minute skincare routine before they go to bed, and most would agree that taking the time to apply five different products layer by layer is less than ideal. 

That’s why everyone needs a simple routine – one they can do consistently, because that’s ultimately what is going to really make a difference in their skin.

The only three products you need to build a solid anti-aging skincare regimen

#1 Sunscreen: I absolutely insist that everyone incorporate sunscreen into their anti-aging skincare regimen. 

I always say, you have to love your sunscreen because I need you to use it every day. There are a ton of options out there – you’ve got lotions, sticks, powders, minerals, chemicals and so on. It’s more than possible to find one that works for you and your skin type.

Plus, you don’t want to spend money on treatments to correct problems that you’re not even protecting against in the first place.  

#2 Retinol: After you’ve got the sunscreen covered, you need to add in a retinol because exfoliation is key.

Retinol is the gold standard for exfoliation. If you can’t find a retinal you like, or you have a skin condition that lends itself to being more irritated like rosacea, we have alternatives. You can try other products such as hydroxy acid that have some of the same benefits as a retinal but typically aren’t as irritating.

#3 Antioxidant: The third bucket that I insist on is an antioxidant, and that’s really vitamins for your skin. 

An antioxidant is going to combat the free radicals created by the sun and environmental toxins and pollutants. These are what break down your collagen and start to give you that crinkly, wrinkly look. Everyone needs to include an antioxidant in their skincare regimen to scavenge up these free radicals.

If you have oily skin, you may want to use an antioxidant in the morning that’s light. If you have really dry skin, we can do that same cocktail of vitamins and antioxidants in a heavy cream-like formulation, so you have options when it comes to finding one you love. 

Anti-aging products and the benefits of being a skin minimalist

I think there are some huge benefits of having a simple skincare regimen in place. First off, you’re more likely to stick to it and be consistent, which we all know is key. Plus, keeping it simple allows you to buy better quality products because you don’t have to buy as many. It’s really a win-win.

Of course, you can incorporate other types of anti-aging products into your routine like growth factors, heparan sulfate or peptides, but those aren’t essential like the three mentioned above. 

Ultimately, I say, if it makes you feel good and is a good add-on to a regimen that’s already solid, then that’s cool. But as a skin minimalist, I’m never going to build a regimen that incorporates all these things.

Keep it simple. That’s my motto. 

Learn more about anti-aging products from Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL

At Skin Wellness Dermatology, we offer cutting-edge skin care and dermatology services to our patients in the Greater Birmingham area, including Hoover and Homewood. At our offices in Birmingham & Chelsea, AL, our certified dermatologists are here to listen to your concerns and offer the individualized, high level of patient care you seek. We believe in making care accessible and affordable, and we will go out of our way to accommodate your visit. Give us a call today at 205-871-7332.