Discovering the best skin-care routine is quite the undertaking. There is endless skin-care advice out there nowadays, especially with the rise of tips and tricks on YouTube and TikTok.

There are some beauty influencers out there that are licensed aestheticians and know a thing or two about cosmetic skin treatments. Still, the vast majority of the “knowledge” you find on your favorite beauty accounts is either a paid advertisement or obtained the same way the rest of us learn, from a lot of trial and error.

Before you try any viral TikTok skincare hacks or buy another skincare product, you need to seek advice from certified skin professionals, which is exactly what you will find in this article.

Dermatologists are the ultimate skin experts and can provide guidance on achieving your best skin at any age. These doctors go through years of training solely on the skin and are who we turn to here at The Lett Center in Mt. Juliet and Lebanon, Tn, when we have questions about skin health and skincare.

Read on to learn the top dermatologist skincare tips, tricks, do’s and don’ts that will keep your skin looking healthy and ageless!

Top Skincare Products Dermatologists Recommend

Dermatologists and qualified aestheticians can typically take one good look at your skin and tell you what you are doing wrong. But most people don’t have their dermatologist or aesthetician on speed dial, so we put together the best expert skincare tips for some of the most common skin types and skincare complaints!

Hyperpigmented Skin

  • Keep skin moist to boost cell turnover. But make sure you use gentle products. You don’t want to use any skincare lotion, serum or cream that stings or burns. This irritation can trigger hyperpigmentation.
  • Use skin treatments with spot-eradicating ingredients such as azelaic, glycolic acids, vitamin C, and retinoids. Hydroquinone is the best ingredient for hyperpigmented skin but it does require a prescription.
  • Minimize sun exposure and use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day.
  • Consider professional chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, and/or laser resurfacing procedures.

Wrinkles/Aging Skin

  • Wash gently with an alcohol-free facial cleanser. Some people believe that vigorous exfoliation is best to combat dry, aging skin, but washing your face too roughly and using abrasive cleansers can backfire. Too much friction on your skin can lead to a loss of hydration instead of gaining it.
  • Be consistent with your morning and evening skincare regime and use medical-grade skincare products with lots of hydration, vitamin c and retinol. If you find retinol irritating or drying, epidermal growth factors (EGFs) are a good substitute.
  • Consider having routine med spa treatments such as micro-needling, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, chemical peels and laser skin resurfacing.
  • Investing in injection therapy like Botox®, Dysport, Xeomin, etc.
  • Minimize sun exposure and use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day.
  • Don’t smoke, and limit alcohol consumption.
  • Invest in a home humidifier

Sagging

  • Be consistent with your morning and evening skincare regime and choose medical-grade skincare products with retinoids and peptides.
  • Don’t neglect your neck. The skin on your neck is different from the skin on your face. Use a quality cream that is specifically designed to be used on your neck.
  • Minimize sun exposure and use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day.
  • Don’t smoke, and limit alcohol consumption.
  • Take care of your teeth. If you aren’t blushing, flossing, using mouthwash and getting regular dental exams, this could result in having to have teeth extracted. Loss of teeth leads to loss of facial bone structure, which accelerates sagging.
  • Invest in dermal fillers like Juvederm and stimulatory fillers like Sculptra; just don’t over-fill. These treatments not only provide almost instant results, but they also set the right environment for your skin to manufacture additional collagen.

Eye Bags/Puffiness

  • Prioritize 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night, and sleep with your head slightly elevated.
  • Drink plenty of water to keep fluid moving through the veins.
  • Limit salt intake.
  • Invest in med-spa eye treatments such as lasers, micro-needling and dermal fillers.
  • Use an under-eye cream that contains caffeine to reduce puffiness, and cooling products to help reduce inflammation and promote blood flow.
  • Use cold compresses and/or a cool dermal roller. Just make sure and never roll it on your eyelids.
  • If your eye bags are severe, consider facial fat transfer, eyelid, or eyebrow surgery.

Acne and Acne Scars

  • For acne, use medical-grade skincare products with alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, retinoids, and/or benzoyl peroxide. You shouldn’t use all of these ingredients. Pick and choose the one that works best for your skin.
  • For acne scars, vitamin c is great to add to your skincare regime. It helps neutralize free radicals and reduce redness and swelling. Vitamin E, lactic acid, and azelaic acid are also great options.
  • Avoid picking, squeezing, and applying too much pressure, exfoliation, or friction.
  • Shower after strenuous exercise or activities where you are sweating.
  • Some acne and deep scars from acne require skin surgery or resurfacing treatments such as lasers, chemical peels, micro-needling, microdermabrasion and/or filler. Consult an aesthetician to see which cosmetic procedure best suits your acne scars.

Of course, you should visit a dermatologist yearly for a skin check, and some of these treatments can only be performed by a certified aesthetician or plastic surgeon. Our board-certified team here at The Lett Center in Mt Juliet or Lebanon Tn would love to take a good look at your skin and help you develop a perfect skincare regime and treatment plan.

But with this little guide, you can be your own dermatologist at home and get on the right path to healthy skin, no matter your age, skin type or skin concerns!

The Skincare Products Dermatologists Hate

When it comes to skincare, it seems like there’s always a new trend. But not every fad is safe for your skin, and you should be especially wary of “trends” you see on social media. Not only are most a waste of money, but some can also harm your skin.

Here are a few things dermatologists hate and say are either dangerous or a waste of money…

Blackhead Strips

They look appealing when you see pictures of all the gunk they allegedly remove, but these drugstore strips don’t have the capability to remove deep-seated dirt and grime that lingers beneath your pores.

Sometimes, cleansing and exfoliating may be enough to loosen this gunk and draw it out. Using some of the ingredients for acne listed above might also help. But often, you won’t be able to remove the blackhead on your own and need to see a qualified aesthetician for a custom facial or other in-office treatment.

Cellulite Creams

There is no shortage of creams that claim to smooth cellulite. However, these over-the-counter products have no long-term effect on the appearance of spongy, dimply-looking skin. Some might temporarily give the illusion of fewer dips and dimples, but they won’t eliminate cellulite. That’s because creams only work at the skin’s surface and can’t penetrate deep enough to target fat cells and connective tissue.

Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise is the best way to minimize cellulite. There are also some in-office treatments that can reduce the appearance of these bumpy spots. By undergoing a dermal filler treatment or other non-invasive treatment, such as laser therapy and massage techniques, some of the effects of cellulite can be erased.

DIY Masks and Scrubs

You can find these “recipes” everywhere on TikTok and Pinterest, but dermatologists say these are a big no for many reasons. Many recipes call for citrus juices like lemon, vinegar, or spices that can disrupt the balance of your skin barrier and can cause dryness, itching, and even burns. Also, homemade skincare products do not contain preservatives, which may harbor bacteria and lead to skin infections.

As appealing as these viral videos look, skip the DIY and only invest in quality medical-grade skincare safe for your skin type.

Products With Fragrance

Because over-the-counter beauty brands aren’t required to disclose the ingredients that make up their fragrance, the word “fragrance” could mean anything, including harsh and harmful ingredients that aren’t beneficial to skin health.

You don’t necessarily need to only use fragrance-free products, but you should be wary of the brands you trust if a fragrance is listed on the label.

Using Oils Instead Of Moisturizer

We’ve all been flooded with people trying to sell us “essential oils” that they claim can be used on the skin, and there are many other “natural” oils beauty influencers rave about. But you should be cautious when using these oils on your skin as they can clog pores, contain fragrance, and be harsh.

Some high-quality natural oils are suitable for the skin, such as select grapeseed, jojoba, and argan oils. But they should not replace your moisturizer. The two are not interchangeable. While some of these oils can condition the skin, they can’t add water content; they can only help retain it.

Skincare Vitamins

Vitamins are necessary for skin health, and specific vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are especially beneficial for the skin. That said, if you are spending money on one of the popular “skin vitamins” you’ve seen your favorite beauty influencer endorse, you are just falling victim to really good marketing.

There is nothing special about these vitamins. They are no different than a quality daily multivitamin that contains vitamins D, C, E, and K. Save your money and focus on eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet and take a quality multivitamin to fill the gaps.

Skincare Labeled All Natural

Natural does not mean they are cleaner or safer. While these products aren’t automatic “no’s,” you shouldn’t automatically assume a skincare product is better just because the label says “natural” or “all-natural.”

The definition of this word can be murky and misleading in the beauty world. That is because the United States Food and Drug Administration has no regulations for the term “natural.” Many drugstore companies are likely still using synthetic ingredients in their products.

Top Skincare Do’s and Don’ts From Dermatologists

Getting and keeping beautiful skin isn’t a matter of magic; it’s a matter of consistency and using the right products for your skin type. That said, what you don’t do is just as important as what you do if you want to have healthy, radiant, youthful skin.

Here is a list of the top do’s and don’ts from dermatologists regardless of your skin type or skin concerns.

Dermatologist DON’TS

  • Smoke
  • Over exfoliate
  • Use tanning beds
  • Pick or pop pimples
  • Sleep in your make-up
  • Take scalding hot showers
  • Skimp on beauty sleep
  • Slack on drinking water and eating a nutritious diet with plenty of antioxidants

 

Dermatologist DO’s

  • Wear SPF daily
  • Limit sugar intake
  • Get annual skin checks
  • Wash your face twice a day (double wash at night)
  • Wash your makeup brushes and pillowcase regularly and use a new washcloth daily
  • Personalize your skincare routine based on your skin type
  • Change your skincare with the seasons
  • Use high-quality medical-grade skin care products

No doubt, most of the information online regarding skincare comes with bias and is only skin deep (i.e., they only appear to know what they are talking about.) Often, the best advice is to stick to these do and don’t basics.

The #1 Skin Secret (We Hate To Admit)

Obviously, we’re in the business of helping you achieve the best skin possible and offer a variety of medical-grade skincare products and treatments that can help give you smooth, radiant, glowing, youthful skin.

There is no arguing that Botox and filler, regular facials and indulging in laser treatments provide the ultimate glow-up; even dermatologists agree! But the number one tip from dermatologists for keeping your skin healthy and ageless is something you can do at home.

Apply sunscreen every day, rain or shine, day and night!!

Sunscreen may seem basic, but it’s your most effective skin-care tool. Consistent use of sunscreen has the most significant impact in preventing accelerated aging and improving the appearance of your skin. And, of course, the benefits are more than just cosmetic. Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancers.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t spend much time outside or live in an area with more rain clouds than sunbeams; dermatologists say we are exposed to harmful UV rays inside and outside, and around the clock.

UVA rays can harm your skin through car windows and the windows in your home. Even the computer or phone screen you are reading this on now generates blue light that can negatively impact your skin.

But you shouldn’t run to the drugstore and grab the first sunscreen you find on sale. Dermatologists say there are three important boxes your sunscreen must check.

  • Make sure that the label says it is non-comedogenic. This tells you the formula is designed not to clog pores.
  • Another word you need to make sure is on the label is broad-spectrum. Broad spectrum means the sunscreen will guard against the harmful effects of UVA rays, which contribute to premature skin aging, and UVB rays, which cause the skin to burn.
  • And last, you need to check the sun protection factor (SPF.) At the very least, the sunscreen you wear should be SPF 30 or higher.

Dermatologists also say during the daytime, you shouldn’t rely on moisturizer with sunscreen alone. You should use a high-quality sunscreen that checks the above boxes first, then follow it up with a daytime moisturizer with sunscreen.

Skin Care in Mt. Juliet and Lebanon, Tn

The Lett Center in Mt. Juliet and Lebanon, Tn, has a state-of-the-art med spa clinic with a team of highly qualified and experienced board-certified aestheticians that know a thing or two about skincare and cosmetic skin treatments.

We only follow the advice of top dermatologists and can help you safely get your best skin with a combination of medical-grade skincare, at-home and in-office treatments.

Click here to request a consultation, or call us at 615.443.0901.