Please add one more thing to your New Year’s resolution list this year: taking care of your skin.
Your skin plays such a big role in your well-being, so spend the new year treating it with care.
Many of our calendars will remind us to schedule an annual physical with our doctors and teeth cleaning with our dentists, but unfortunately, making an appointment with a dermatologist gets forgotten. Everybody should see a dermatologist at least once a year for a skin screening and to learn the best ways to care for the skin on your face and body. The beginning the year is a good time to learn about your skin’s health! So, please make an appointment with a dermatologist ASAP!
Here are a few tips on how to keep your skin healthy in the new year while you wait for your dermatology appointment:
1. Throw Away Your Old Products
A lot of us have a drawer filled with skincare products that we have not used in many months. If you are not seeing results from your skincare products or are just not using them, throw them out. I know it is tough to throw out expensive creams and serums, but I am all about the Marie Kondo Method of decluttering. Gather your skincare products, keep the skincare products that work and “spark joy.” Throw out the ones that don’t (yes, even the expensive ones). If you have not used them in the past few months, chances are slim that you are going to start using them in the New Year.
Recommended Read: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
2. Wear Sunscreen Daily
Apply sunscreen every day. This is the first step in taking care of your skin. It is kind of like brushing your teeth. You should be doing it AT LEAST once a day. Yes, even on those cloudy and rainy days. Rain or shine, the harmful UV rays still hit your skin directly when you are not wearing sunscreen. Not protecting your skin from the UV rays is an easy way to get wrinkles and brown spots on your skin. And also skin cancer….
Recommended Read: Why is Sunscreen So Important
3. Wash Your Face Before Bed
It is important to wash your face before you go to sleep. After a long day of work, the bed tends to be more top of mind than your facial cleanser. But not washing your face causes bacteria to overgrow on your skin and can cause your pores to get clogged. Your skin recharges when you are sleeping, so leaving anything on your face while asleep inhibits the skin’s ability to regenerate.
4. Use an Antioxidant Serum
Find an antioxidant serum that has Vitamin C in it, and actually use it twice a day. Purchasing a serum is the first step, but it is not doing you much good if it is not actually
getting on your face on a daily basis. Vitamin C fights off free radicals that are damaging to the body; that’s why we load up on vitamin C when we are coming down with a cold. Vitamin C serums fight off free radicals on the skin to prevent the skin from damaging and aging prematurely.
5. Apply a Retinol or Retinoid at Night
Retinols and Retinoids (aka Retina-A) are my favorite skincare products. Retinol and retinoid creams come from Vitamin A. Retinol is a derivative of retinoids, so retinol creams tend to be on the milder side and can be found over-the-counter. Retinoid creams are prescription medications that you can get from your dermatologist. I typically recommend using a retinoid cream because it is more effective. But if your skin is more sensitive, retinol creams are a good starting out option. Both retinol and retinoids help your skin cells regenerate, exfoliate your dead skin, block excessive oil production, and prevent wrinkles. They also help unclog pores. They are hands-down the most effective products in helping with acne and in anti-aging. You see why they are my favorite ingredients?
At NorCal Dermatology Group in Berkeley, we believe in the importance of simplicity in any skincare treatment or regimen. Our experience in skincare allowed us to custom tailor solutions for patients to help them maintain healthier, simpler skin.
At NorCal Dermatology Group, we provide:
● Cutting-edge skincare treatments.
● Weekend appointments.
● Short wait times.
● Personalized care and attention.
● A wide range of accepted health plans.
To book an appointment or to learn more about NorCal Dermatology Group, call 510-646-8065 today!
