Dr. C's Skincare Basics

Get Your Glow On

All of us have uniquely different skin types: dry, oily, young, old, sensitive, combination, etc.  Therefore, all of us will have slightly different skincare needs.  Below is a generalized skincare guide that will work for most of us, especially as we age and need a little help with our “glow”. 

I am not endorsing nor do I have any relationship with the products below, they’re just some of the brands that I have used and liked the results.

DAILY

1. Gentle facial cleanser (wash away grease, toxins from day/sleep) - Use morning and night before bed.

Examples:

Cetaphil: https://www.amazon.com/Cetaphil-Gentle-Cleanser-Types-Ounce/dp/B07GC74LL5/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=cetaphil&qid=1625423153&rdc=1&sr=8-8

Neutrogena: https://www.amazon.com/Neutrogena-Fragrance-Free-Cleanser-Glycerin-Hypoallergenic/dp/B003BMI628/ref=asc_df_B003BMI628/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241957921902&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4616433451674859784&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9060351&hvtargid=pla-527346778492&psc=1

2. Serum (to repair, deliver skin nutrients) - Use day and night after washing, before moisturizer.

Two reliable favorites:*

Vitamin C/Hyaluronic Acid duo: https://goop.com/goop-beauty-goopglow-20-vitamin-c-hyaluronic-acid-glow-serum/p/?variant_id=60296

De Mamiel First Fix:

https://www.cultbeauty.com/p/de-mamiel-first-fix-stress-response-serum/13310191/?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=USD&shippingcountry=US&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACnSfGVU2fZMh5xTpNFo0jnOJkXUb&gclid=CjwKCAiAl4a6BhBqEiwAqvrqujAOoPwSZPqK9IWB4Wayv07UQAZ0FMqxPvn3rYwcqcxGDfS92ibL6xoCazAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

*These products are expensive but because you use so little, they last a while.

3. Moisturizer (to lock in the serum, hydrate the skin, can be combined with SPF to block UV)  - Use morning and night after serum.

Examples:

Lumavera: https://lumavera.com/product/24-hour-stem-cell-firming-moisturizer/

Cerave, with SPF: https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Facial-Moisturizing-Lotion-AM/dp/B00F97FHAW/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=best+skin+cream+with+SPF&qid=1625423919&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFHRjA4V1RUMlJCMzAmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwNTE4MzdGRUpORFlKRUVCWDgmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDYzMzI0OFM3OEVFOFVDQUZPVCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

4. SPF 50 or greater - Use only in morning.

Iris and Romeo (has a nice optional tint): https://www.irisandromeo.com/products/weekend-skin?variant=43259117437113&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A21463972314%3A%3A&nb_adtype=pla_with_promotion&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=&nb_mi=137395695&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=shopify_US_7319584997561_43259117437113&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAC0ODoYsPmAyVrtvntRlL1Nz2543f&gclid=Cj0KCQjwveK4BhD4ARIsAKy6pMI9sPEVyVKMjweTQHODA9rvPft1Z7HnVtPvY2EjmSK3yVv6iW3_fZwaAq83EALw_wcB

WEEKLY

4. Exfoliator (to remove dead skin cells on surface so that rest of products will work) - Use once per week in shower.

Examples:

Goop: https://goop.com/goop-beauty-goopglow-microderm-instant-glow-exfoliator-15ml/p/?variant_id=58770

Aveno: https://www.amazon.com/Aveeno-Brightening-Moisture-Rich-Hypoallergenic-Non-Comedogenic/dp/B0000632EN/ref=sr_1_15_mod_primary_new?dchild=1&keywords=skin+exfoliator&qid=1625423318&rdc=1&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=8-15

5. Retin-A (improves skin quality, reduces appearance of fine lines, reduces blemishes/discoloration) - Use once per week at night to start, can gradually increase usage.*

Medical-grade are best, ask your physician for a prescription or try this one:

https://goop.com/goop-beauty-3x-retinol-regenerative-serum/30-ml/p/?variant_id=128903&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADgu7dFL-R35qmrEds_DCPSwOdtuG&gclid=CjwKCAiAl4a6BhBqEiwAqvrquuObwHHc5-YMsQnG3oljpQlH3mqOD1fwO6ZHvNgU5fBHbPnWYl2LdRoCLW4QAvD_BwE

*Will make you photo-sensitive, can cause redness at first.  Be sure to use SPF when outside.

GENERALLY

6. Water - Drink your weight- and exercise-dependent amount of water per day. [See the Pursuing Harmony Substack on hydration].

7. Vitamin supplementation - Might help, can’t hurt.  Big ones for skin are vitamin C, biotin, collagen, etc.

I use this supplement from GOOP (also helps me drink enough water each day): https://goop.com/goop-beauty-goopglow-morning-skin-superpowder-5-stick-pack/p/?variant_id=44005

8. Stop smoking

NEXT LEVEL (in ascending level of down-time)

9. Neurotoxin/Botox - muscle-relaxer.  When used correctly it prevents excess facial animation and prevents/reduces the appearance of fine to moderate depth wrinkles caused by facial animation (forehead, glabella or “11’s”, crow’s feet around eyes, etc.)  Can also be used to treat migraines, excessive sweating, and an increasing variety of other indications.

10. Filler - replenishes areas of volume loss in the face.  Multiple product options.  To treat volume depletion from aging (tear troughs under eyes, temple-wasting, cheek bone deflation, nasolabial folds & jowling (frown-lines around mouth), etc.)  Also used to cosmetically augment areas (lips, cheekbones, chin, jawline, etc.)

11. Facial peels & Laser - used to improve skin quality especially sun-related damage, broken capillaries (rosacea), treat discoloration below eyes, re-surface skin.

12. Surgery -

Brow lift - treats droopy eyebrows & long foreheads

Blepharoplasty - treats droopy, tired, hollowed-out eyes

Facelift - treats stretched & sagging skin of face due to aging

Necklift/submental lipectomy - treats sagging skin, excess fat in neck, “turkey neck”, neck “banding”