The Essential Guide to a Clean & Simple Skincare Routine

by Dr. Avee Naidoo (2023).

Achieving healthy, radiant skin does not have to be a complex or expensive endeavour. In fact, less is more when it comes to skin care.

Here are some helpful tips for a simple skin care regiment:

#1 - Cleansing (AM & PM)

Start and end your day with a gentle cleanser to to wash away makeup, dirt, oil and unwanted debris.

Choose a cleanser that suits your skin type – a hydrating cleanser for dry skin, foamy for oily skin, and gentle for sensitive skin. Look for words such as “anti-comedogenic” to help prevent acne and "unscented" or "sensitive" to prevent irritation.

Some recommended brands include: CeRave, Cetaphil and La Roche Posay.

#2 - Moisturizing (AM & PM)

Hydration is key to maintaining supple skin. Apply a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type. Oily skin benefits from a lightweight, oil-free formula, while dry skin craves richer creams.

#3 - Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen!

As a skin care physician, we absolutely love sunscreen. Not only does it protect against harmful UV rays, thereby reducing the risk of skin cancer, sunscreen has other benefits: Suncreen fights signs of premature aging, plays a crucial role in preventing additional damage that could potentially worsen the appearance of scars, and prevents hyperpigmentation and sun spots.

Opt for at least SPF 30 or higher and reapply throughout the day if needed.

Recommended brands (that work well in all skin tones) include: La Roche Posay Antihelios (tinted or invisible), Super Goop Unseen Sunscreen, Elta MD, CeraVe Ultra Light Moisturizing Lotion

#4 - Night Cream

A good night cream helps your skin recover while you sleep. Look for products containing ingredients like retinol or hyaluronic acid to address specific concerns like fine lines or hydration.

Retinols can be found over-the-counter. If you are interested a more potent, prescription retinoid, speak to your family physician or dermatologist on whether a retinoid would be right for your skin type. In certain conditions, such as eczema and rosacea, a retinoid can aggravate the underlying condition.

#5 - Vitamin C [ Optional ]

If you choose to implement vitamin C into your daily skin care ritual, we recommend applying a Vitamin C serum in the AM prior to application of your sunscreen. Vitamin C increases the photoprotection of your sunscreen - yes, you heard right! Vitamin C improves the efficacy of your sunscreen.

Vitamin C is also potent antioxidant that can be used to treat and prevent changes associated with photoageing and aid in brightening the complexion of your skin.

Remember, consistency is key.

Stick to this basic skincare routine, and over time, you'll notice healthier, more radiant skin. Feel free to customize with additional products to address specific concerns, but always patch-test new products and introduce them gradually.