HLM Editors Shared Our Skin Care Routines with Expert Dermatologists — How Did We Do?
The editors decided to put our skills to the test and asked us to talk about skin care.
We stick to the pros when it comes to giving advice on keeping your skin healthy, but some of us are well-versed in skin care speak. I know my way around an Amazon search bar fairly well.
Do our routines stack up? Have we fallen prey to the TikTok trends?
We reached out to Board-Certified Dermatologists Elaine Kung, MD of Future Bright Dermatology in New York City, Caroline Robinson, MD of Tone Dermatology in Chicago, and Ife Rodney of Eternal Dermatology & Aesthetics in Fulton, Maryland, to ask their opinion.
They had to say what they had to say.
Skin type: Sensitive
She wants to keep her tone balanced because she can get a little red and blotchy.
She is a Bay Area native and is trying to slow down the aging process while recovering from the recent changes.
She says that it is showing up in her skin because of the hormonal changes and lack of sleep.
Erin’s Current Morning Routine
- Remove face with water.
- Kristina Holey & Marie Veronique Hypotonic Toner is being balanced.
- KH & MV Soothing B3 Serum
- KH & MV Treatment Oil
- Marie Veronique has a tinted mineral sunscreen.
She just started re-instating Retinol back into my routine after having a baby.
What do the experts say?
“Robinson says that it’s important to get balanced skin and healthy skin as we get older.”
Kung says that the Kristina Holey & Marie Veronique is a great brand choice for concerns of rosacea.
Both experts are fans of the B3 serum and mineral sunscreen, but they both agree that the oil could ruin the product.
Kung suggests cutting down on a few products because they are similar.
Erin’s Current Evening Routine
- KH &MV Pure and Essential Oil-Free Oil Cleanser
- Hypotonic Toner is being balanced.
- KH & MV Barrier Restore Serum
- The Ordinary Granactive 2% retinoid is found in the skin.
- KH & MV Barrier Lipid Complex
This product is used on alternate nights between the barrier and retinoid serum and only just started re-introducing Retinol back into my routine after giving birth.
What do the experts say?
The skin Barrier Restore Serum and Skin Barrier Lipid Complex have the same ingredients, so Kung suggests choosing one or the other.
The Ordinary Granactive 1% Retinoid is a good choice if you only use it on nights when it is a drop, and if it causes sun sensitivity, then you should use these products.
“Robinson said that the benefits of incorporating the benefits of the sun and the sun’s rays into the routine were to repair past sun damage, even skin tone, and to give you more even and more bouncy skin.”
Skin Type: Oily
Mellanie lives in the very humid and sunny Houston, Texas, and says her primary skin concerns revolve around texture, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation.
She only gets the occasional hormonal breakouts and sometimes deals with whiteheads.
Mellanie’s Current Morning Routine
- LaRoche-Posay has a cream for skin care.
- Tower 28 is a intensive rescue.
- Dr. Dennis Gross 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum
- Dr. Dennis Gross has a skin care product called Lactic Oil-Free Radiant Moisturizer.
- Decorté 24/7.
- Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum has SPF 50.
What Do The Experts Say?
Mellanie has chosen products that have positive benefits.
But because she’s aiming to be wary of clogged pores, the dermatologist is wary of more than one choice at a time that has multiple oils that vary on the comedogenic scale — a rating for pore clogging.
She would not use ingredients that can cause her skin to be dry.
The less-is-more approach isFloristd byRodney who says that three different serums could be too much for the skin.
She says that the Anthelios does not mean more effective penetration. We want to avoid too much acid on the skin. I would choose one or both.
This altered routine could help reduce oils.
Mellanie’s Current Evening Routine
- LaRoche-Posay has a cream for skin care.
- Tower 28 is a intensive rescue.
- Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal and Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurf are used nightly.
- Dr. Dennis Gross or Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide are alternate nightly.
- “Sunday Riley’s Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Oil is an additional step.”
The first step in the morning routine is the Sunday Riley Blue Moon Cleansing Balm.
What do the experts say?
Big points for alternating products. This technique gives the face a rest from some ingredients while keeping the effectiveness.
Mellanie should use an all-inclusive serum to avoid too many acids on her face, as fewer products would be beneficial for her nighttime routine.
The Bio Complete Serum has a lot of vitamins and minerals, and is great for Mellanie.
Neutrogena Hydro boost cream or CeraVe lotion is a lightweight option.
Skin Type: Combination & Sensitive
Don’t ask me how, but I have both eczema and oily skin.
I have to be careful with my skin sensitivities when it is humid in North Carolina, but I am likely to have dry patches in the winter.
Hyperpigmentation and hormonal acne are my biggest concerns.
My Current Morning Routine
- Cloud Bank or micellar water.
- The preparation is called kleirs.
- Supergoop! SPF 50.
What do the experts say?
Both experts like the idea of micellar water starting in the morning, but one says I should consider a product for sensitive skin, such as Bioderma Sensibio H20.
They agree that the toner can be removed, and that a gentle cleanser is needed.
They were in agreement about the use of sunscreen in the AM, but Kung suggested trying a product that was not as oily.
My Current Evening Routine
- The fourth Ray Cloud Bank has a cleansing bar.
- snail mucin essence is from CorSX.
- The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid is 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%.
- The Ordinary Rosehip Oil or Neutrogena Hydro boost water Gel.
* If it’s a makeup day, Sephora supreme cleansing oil comes before the cream-based cleanser in the evening
What do the experts say?
Kung says not to over emphasize the removal of dead skin cells because my skin is sensitive and oily.
“She says to focus on ingredients that don’t strip the skin’s barrier. Our skin cells naturally shed every 28 days so you don’t have to push the process.”
Robinson says finding a balance between controlling oil & potential breakouts and not drying out your skin is key.
She recommends using retinoids and benzoyl peroxide, which address oil and the source of the oil, and using light creams that are hydrating the skin.
If I am feeling particularly oily, the experts suggest saving the CeraVe SA bar for a week.
There are a few things that these people were emphatic about.
- Keeping it simple.
- The importance of removing dirt.
- Your toner should be thrown out.
- It is important that we have hydration.
Less is always more
Stick to simple routines with less products
It can be easy to want to hit all the marks with all the hype around the products routine steps. The experts agreed that simpler is better for skin care.
All threederms were in agreement when it came to our individual routines, we can shave off some of our products and still have healthy skin.
Multi-step routines with products that are similar but different in feel, thickness, and consistency is wasting money and complicating skin care in a way that may cause more problems than good.
Only 4 rice grains worth of leave-on product are necessary
Kung says to be careful with how much product you are squeezing out from the medicine droppers.
“We don’t need to draw out the full dropper for the serums that contain AHA, BHA, or vitamins C and C.”
Cleansing is vital
Don’t skip the morning cleanse
It is important to wash off our overnight products in the morning.
Double cleansing
A double cleanse is reserved for the editors for days when we have worn makeup.
The derms told us that it can be helpful for people with oily skin.
“Robinson says it can be hard to find a cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin but leaves it clean.”
If you have oily skin, two days a day is helpful because it can help you with larger pores andAcne.
To tone or not to tone?
The experts said you can skip your toning step.
“A lot of the same ingredients as your skin care products are in a toner, so it’s not necessary.”
“Robinson and Rodney agree that your toner doesn’t add much to your routine. Adding a gentle cleanser in its place would be better.”
Seal in that moisture
“Adding an oil-free moisturizer at the end of your nighttime routine is one of the experts’ top tips for maintaining a healthy body. You can choose to use one that is also hydrating.”
Everyone is a little different
These are great suggestions from a few field experts, but of course, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for every skin type and concern.
If you can connect with a professional, they will always be able to give you recommendations tailored to your needs.
