When it comes to skin care, I'm not ashamed to admit I've got a few bad habits. For example, I don't use sunscreen. (I just can't seem to give up all of my fancy-shmancy beauty creams that unfortunately don't contain any SPF in them.)
But, in a recent fit of spring cleaning, I decided to rid my routine of some of those bad practices and develop some beauty-regimen mainstays that will actually benefit my skin. To make sure I was doing it right, I spoke with Dr. Nicole Tardio of Aglow Dermatology for tips. Ahead, the habits dermatologists wishes everyone had.
1. Preserve your youth.
There are right and wrong ways to do anti-aging: Dr. Tardio says using products that contain youth preservation properties is the first step in age delay, and then anti-aging can follow. As for what preserves youth the best? SPF, of course.
2. When in doubt, double-cleanse.
Let's face it: We all know the makeup-removal process isn't simple, and sometimes one go at it isn't enough. Dr. Tardio says it's okay (actually, imperative) to cleanse twice in one day outside of your morning and nighttime skin-care regimens. But it's best to stick with gentle cleansers that don't strip the skin of its natural oils, yet contain astringents that target things like makeup and everyday impurities in the same swipe. Try Fresh's Soy Face Cleanser ($38).
3. Stay away from prescription retinols until you truly need them.
The idea of using a retinoid cream probably sounds really enticing when your dermatologist is throwing around phrases and words like "minimizes pores" and "radiance." But they actually contain a myriad of rare side effects like irritation, drying, and peeling, so consult your dermatologist before using them to make sure you find the right potency for your skin type.
4. Watch your diet.
Dr. Tardio couldn't stress this one enough. Plain and simple: What you put into your body, you will get out of it. So if you're putting greasy, fatty foods into your skin, your skin is most likely going to appear greasy (and we don't mean dewy). This habit includes six to eight cups of water per day.
5. Sleep.
A lot of people confuse this tip with a "required" amount of hours. Our skin is a creature of habit, so when you keep it in check, it will act accordingly and you'll be able to monitor and experience those results. So no matter how many hours of sleep you get at night (Dr. Tardio suggests seven to eight for proper skin repair)—just try to keep it regulated.
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