Skincare...what's good and what's a gaffe?
Make it stand out
It seems like you can't go anywhere today without being inundated with skincare propaganda. While admittedly it's a healthy obsession for one to possess, oftentimes I wonder- are these products really worth the hype and the hefty accompanying price tag? Although I've been in practice for over 10 years, none of my clinical experience is in dermatology, nor is this a subject we get a lot of exposure to in nursing school. For help on the topic, I reached out to my good friend and colleague from my OB/GYN days, Zoe Apted, who spent over 5 years as a Physician Assistant at a leading dermatology practice in Houston, TX and now works as a Dermatology Advanced Practice Liaison for Bristol Myers Squibb. I asked Zoe to shoot us straight and recommend three medical grade products that are actually worth investing in for long term skin health...
"As a dermatology PA, one of the most common questions I answer is 'what skincare products do I really need to use?'. Unfortunately (and fortunately) social media is now full of skincare advice and trends to last a lifetime! Some are great and some are...not (I'm looking at you, slugging!). Almost every dermatology provider will tell you you only need 3 basic elements in your daily skincare routine to achieve optimum skin health and a bonus glow: 1) Vitamin C 2) Sunscreen SPF 30 or higher and 3) Retinol. Stick with these 3 from age 20 to age 100 and you should be set! If you want some advice on other additions that are fun and worthwhile, here are my top 3:
"As a dermatology PA, one of the most common questions I answer is 'what skincare products do I really need to use?'. Unfortunately (and fortunately) social media is now full of skincare advice and trends to last a lifetime! Some are great and some are...not (I'm looking at you, slugging!). Almost every dermatology provider will tell you you only need 3 basic elements in your daily skincare routine to achieve optimum skin health and a bonus glow: 1) Vitamin C 2) Sunscreen SPF 30 or higher and 3) Retinol. Stick with these 3 from age 20 to age 100 and you should be set! If you want some advice on other additions that are fun and worthwhile, here are my top 3:
1) Revision Youthfull Lip Replenisher--When I introduced this product into my daily routine, it was life-changing for me. I have been a chronic lip picker since I was a kid--eek, such a terrible habit! This product stopped my bad habit in its tracks and my lips have been soft and healthy since I started using it nightly. A little goes a long way--apply it nightly and you'll wake up and still feel the product in the morning. It's also amazing for Accutane patients with dry lips!
2) Elemis Cleansing Balm--a double cleanse is not completely necessary, but it is luxurious. I use this cleansing balm as my first cleanse in the shower every night. It completely melts off my makeup and preps my skin for a gentle gel-based cleanse. The eucalyptus scent reminds me of the spa and it's a welcome bonus! You can often find it on sale and I usually stock up!
3) SkinBetter Alto Advanced Serum--Hands down my favorite Vitamin C on the market! Vitamin C is a very unstable molecule. It needs to be stored at a certain temperature and in a dark container to prevent oxidation and keep the product stable enough to maintain efficacy. Most Vitamin C products are sold in a glass jar that makes them bulky and prone to breaking. Alto is packaged in a dark plastic container that can reseal after every use, so it maintains its properties for a longer period of time. It is expensive, but I think you get more use and better results than several other high end options on the market. With Vitamin C, you really do get what you pay for. If I were to invest in one skincare product, it would be this!"
Thank you Zoe for the recommendations- we can't wait to put them to good use!
