In my personal opinion, one of the biggest misconceptions within the skincare industry is that there’s a one-sized fits all solution for your daily beautification needs.  Over the past twenty years, I have had everyone from soccer moms to rock star divas to professional athletes ask me that very same question. Then they all look at me like I’m crazy when I say that EVERYONE needs a daily four-step process to keep their skin healthy and vibrant.

After all, aging does not discriminate and there are no shortcuts.  Either you’re taking care of your skin or you aren’t.

So before we get too far into this blog series, I want to provide you a fool-proof daily routine to make the most out of your skincare regimen.  And just so we are clear here, this is something that every adult female should do every single day of their life- regardless whether they’re 18 or 81.  It is especially important for us gals in our late thirties, forties and fifties, however, because that’s where all of our beach days and reckless abandon of our teenage years begin to catch up with us.

Step One-Use the Right Daily Cleanser

If you only do one thing each day for your skin, then it should be using a daily cleanser properly.  Before we get to that though, I want to introduce you to a fancy scientific word that you need to add to your vocabulary.  Ready for it- it’s noncomedogenic.  In layman terms, that means something that won’t clog your pores and prevent natural oils from escaping.

Remember that; it is very important to spot on product labels- noncomedogenic.

After a good night’s rest, you need to use a daily cleanser in the morning to strip away those oils.  Minerals like magnesium and zinc help your skin find the proper balance, and make sure that you’re also using a cleanser that is designed for your specific skin type.  Repeat this process before going to bed at night in order to strip away any dirt, pollen and makeup that may be lingering.

Sep Two- Learn to Moisturize Effectively

As soon as you finish using your daily cleanser twice a day, you’ll want to follow it up with a quality moisturizer.  This ensures that your clean, absorbent skin pores will be able to lock in enough moisture throughout the day to stay soft and smooth.  It also minimizes the formation of wrinkles and better masks your current skin issues, so it’s definitely a win/win.

A quality moisturizer will likely come in a cream form and it will contain active ingredients such as glycerin, propylene glycol, mineral oil and lanolin.  Also, avoid products that contain any types of fragrances or dyes.  They can easily counter-act the benefits from your cleanser and moisturizer.

Step Three- Always Wear Sunscreen

Additionally, I want you to get in the habit of applying sunscreen every morning before you leave the house, regardless what time of year it is or how much sun is in the sky.  A quality broad spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 is recommended by most physicians, although I’ll tell my clients with fair skin to consider up to SPF 100.  Since sunlight is the number one cause of skin-related issues as we age, it’s definitely not something to take lightly.

Here’s another tip- sunglasses and hats are far more than just a fashion accessory!  Wear them every chance you get for additional protection to the outside elements.

Also, let’s talk about moisturizers and other skincare products that contain sunscreen.  While I am certainly not against buying a combination product if that’s the only way you’ll remember to apply sunscreen each morning, it may also end up being a big waste of money if you’re buying a premium brand.  That’s because for every ounce of sunscreen that’s added, you’re getting that much less of the actual moisturizer you’ve purchased.

Step Four- Make the Most Out of Retinoids

Last but not least, let’s talk about retinol- the active ingredient derived from Vitamin A that encourages the skin to produce more collagen.  Because without collagen, our skin loses its elasticity and begins to show imperfections- wrinkles, blemishes, and the whole enchilada.  So a product with quality levels of retinol has to be in your weekly skincare plan.

Retinoids come in two forms- the over the counter version of beauty products containing retinol, and prescription treatments with tazarotene, tretinoin, and adapalene.  All variations will also naturally exfoliate as well, which means that it’s a product that can definitely be over-used.  You’ll have to experiment to find the product with the right balance; back off a little if your skin starts to peel or shows signs of a rash forming.