Ever marveled at your dermatologist's clear, dewy complexion and wondered how it stays that way year after year? If you ask, they'll credit their flawless face to always doing two things: washing at night and wearing sunscreen during the day.
But don't be fooled – they have lots of little tricks up their sleeves to ward off acne, tighten pores, smooth wrinkles, erase sun spots and bring on the radiance. We asked group of dermatologists to reveal the one skin care step that gets top billing in their daily routine.
They circumvent dirt magnets
"I change my face towel daily. A bathroom towel contains the perfect storm to cultivate bacteria and breakouts – warmth, moisture, and plenty of dead skin." – plastic surgeon Dr Mark H. Schwartz (Also remember that dirty pillowcases can really do a number on your skin: aim to wash or switch out your pillowcase at least once a week!)
They don't dry off
"I like to apply my products to very slightly damp skin, so after washing and cleansing, I leave a residual film of water on my face and then apply the products. The packages may say 'dry skin,' but I think that extra little bit of moisture allows the products to better glide onto the skin." – dermatologist Dr Seemal R. Desai
They priortise oil
"My assistant's 89-year-old mother used an olive oil water mixture for cleansing and moisturising every day and didn't have a wrinkle or spot on her face. I've tried my own mix of olive oil and water, argan oil and lately I'm on a sea buckthorn oil kick. Oil is a great moisturiser and cleanser; it also takes off mascara in seconds without removing lashes." – Dermatologist Dr Valerie Goldburt
They keep a lip product on their nightstand
"I literally have to put chapstick on my lips every morning when I get out of bed. I tend to have very dry lips and also like really matte lipstick, so it provides a hydrating base and prevents dryness and flaking." – Dermatologist Dr Rebecca Kazin
They pay special attention to their eyes
"The eyes are the first place to show signs of ageing and need delicate care, so it's worth the splurge to have a separate eye cream. I use a cream in the morning that contains caffeine which helps with depuffing, and another at night that has growth factors that are restorative overnight." – Dr Elizabeth Tanzi
They carefully calibrate their shower temp
"I take warm showers. If the temperature is too hot, it strips the skin of its natural oils, leaving it itchy and dry. And I always moisturise within 3 minutes of hopping out of the shower, using a pH balanced moisturiser" – Dermatologist Dr Marnie B. Nussbaum
They don't wait until bedtime to wash up
"I wash the day off as soon I get home, even if it's mid-afternoon. And if I have makeup on when I work out (generally a no-no, but sometimes it happens), then I wash it off as soon as I finish—while the sweat is still wet, before my pores get clogged." – Dr Chris G. Adigun
They don't just focus on their face
"Since stopping an oral contraceptive, I've been dealing with adult acne on my back and I've been finding salicylic acid to be most helpful. They don't irritate my skin or bleach my shirts. I use a salicylic acid wash every time I shower, and rub on a prescription cream every morning and night." – Dermatologist Dr Hadley King
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