An essential daily skin care routine should consist of the following steps: an appropriate cleanser for your skin type, antioxidant protection, a moisturizer that protects and maintains skin barrier function, and broad-spectrum sunscreen. In addition, corrective serums and creams should also be included to address specific problems such as acne, discoloration, laxity, and precancerous changes.
Antioxidants can be in a cream or serum formulation. Antioxidants are molecules that prevent oxidation of other molecules. Free radicals are active molecules that naturally form in our body from cell metabolic activity, from UV radiation, from contact with chemical irritants, and pollutants in the air. These molecules have an unpaired electron which makes them unstable. They will steal another electron from other molecules. These molecules in turn become free radicals causing a damaging chain of events that can cause irreversible and destructive changes to skin proteins, DNA, and lipids. This has serious effects on cell survival, cancerous transformation, and the development of disease.
The ideal moisturizer should offer occlusive, emollient, and hydration properties. This insures a healthy microbiome and skin barrier layer. It should be applied 2 times a day to face and body. Optimal absorption of a moisturizer occurs when it is applied in the first 3 minutes after showering.
The best sunscreen is the sunscreen that you like and will use on a daily basis. Having said that, sunscreens vary greatly in their formulations and photoprotection.
Dr. Wong will thoroughly assess your skin and make recommendations that are tailored to your specific skin needs and skin type. It is helpful if you make a list of the top 3 concerns you have about your skin and bring in your current skin care products for evaluation for the appointment.
The majority of cleansers and soaps contain surfactants which can strip the natural lipids and proteins that form the stratum corneum resulting in a compromised skin barrier. This creates microfissures in the top layer of skin altering the microbiome, ph of the skin, decreasing hydration, and allowing germs to penetrate the epidermis. There are hydrating and lipid cleansers that can clean the skin but not cause damage. Foaming is not an indication of the effectiveness of a cleansing product.