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Need to Know
- Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist, shared the seven skin care products to skip in your anti-aging routine, and what to use instead.
- His picks include retinol-based creams and vitamin C serums from popular skin care brands like RoC.
- Every product featured is under $50 at Amazon, with derm-approved finds starting at $10.
If your skin care has gotten a little too lengthy (or expensive) to keep up with, there’s an easy way to cut down time and costs, without sacrificing any anti-aging benefits. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist, shared with me the seven skin care products you can ditch, plus the items actually worth incorporating into your routine. All of his picks are available on Amazon and cost under $50.
Over the past 18 years, Dr. Zeichner has seen nearly 90,000 patients, many of whom are concerned about aging skin, including fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, and prominent pores. “Achieving and maintaining healthy, youthful skin takes time and continued effort. Just as you need to go to the gym regularly to maintain an in-shape physique, you need to apply your skin care products regularly to optimize skin aging. Good skin comes with continued good skin care over time,” Dr. Zeichner shared.
Dermatologist-Approved Skin Care Under $50
- Suitable for Sensitive Skin: RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream, $29 (was $35)
- Helps Lighten Dark Spots: Eucerin Radiant Tone Dual Serum Dark Spot Corrector, $34 (was $45)
- Non-Irritating: Neutrogena Evenly Clear Acne Cleanser, $11 (was $15)
- Great for Dry Skin: RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Brightening Serum, $29 (was $35)
- Removes Tough Mascara: Garnier Erase It All Makeup Cleansing Balm, $10 (was $15)
- Comes in Tinted Versions: EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46, $36 with coupon (was $45)
- Can Be Worn Over Makeup: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Eye Bag Instant Eraser, $20 (was $22)
Don't Use: Botanic Oils
Instead Use: Retinol
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Anti-Aging Daily Face Moisturizer
“Retinol is the best ingredient that we have to fight the signs of aging,” Dr. Zeichner said. “It has been shown to enhance cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, and even skin tone. This means improving the appearance of wrinkles, brightening the complexion, and lightening dark spots. While botanicals may be useful and hydrating and brightening the skin, they lack the proven effectiveness of retinol,” he added.
To help incorporate retinol into your nightly routine, he recommended this RoC retinol-based cream, which improves the appearance of fine lines without irritating skin. “This night cream helps hydrate and protect while delivering a potent and stable form of retinol.”
Don’t Use: Arbutin or Kojic Acid
Instead Use: Thiamidol
Eucerin Radiant Tone Dual Serum Dark Spot Corrector
According to Dr. Zeichner, this Eucerin serum contains an active ingredient called thiamidol, which has proven to be effective in treating dark spots. “Most of the skin brightening agents have been studied based on effectiveness in a mushroom model. However, this ingredient has been shown to be the most effective in humans.” He noted that when used regularly, this serum can help lighten dark spots and improve complexion.
Don’t Use: Harsh Scrubs for Breakouts
Instead Use: Gentle Cleansers
Neutrogena Evenly Clear Acne Cleanser with 2% Salicylic Acid & 2% PHA Exfoliant
Spoiler alert: Acne can still occur in adulthood. And according to Dr. Zeichner, breakouts that heal with dark spots or scars can contribute to skin aging, which is why it’s important to prevent acne in your anti-aging routine.
“Harsh scrubs can lead to microscopic tears in the outer skin layer, causing irritation and dryness,” he said. He recommends using a gentle acne cleanser instead, like this one from Neutrogena. It’s designed for oily and acne-prone skin because it contains salicylic acid and polyhydroxy acids. “Think of the formula as a pipe cleaner to keep the pores [clear] without disrupting the outer skin layer,” Dr. Zeichner shared.
Don’t Use: Niacinamide
Instead Use: Vitamin C
RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow
“Think of products that contain vitamin C as an insurance policy on your skin care routine,” Dr. Zeichner shared. “Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radical damage caused by UV exposure. It also blocks the production of abnormal pigmentation and is an essential cofactor for the production of healthy collagen.” And while he noted that niacinamide can help brighten the complexion, it does not offer the same antioxidant effects as vitamin C.
According to Dr. Zeichner, this RoC brightening serum delivers a stabilized form of vitamin C for reliable results (like brightening skin, reducing dark circles, and fine lines). “Vitamin C is a highly unstable ingredient and can be inactivated in the presence of UV light, which is why you need to choose the right formula.”
Don’t Use: Makeup Wipes
Instead Use: Cleansing Balms
Garnier Erase It All Makeup Cleansing Balm with Hyaluronic Acid
Over time, low-grade inflammation can lead to skin damage, especially when removing makeup, per Dr. Zeichner. “Over-rubbing of the skin with makeup wipes can cause inflammation if you are aggressive. I certainly recommend wipes for light makeup, but after a night out, if you have heavy makeup, stick to a dedicated makeup remover designed to remove makeup and protect the skin.”
His recommendation is Garnier’s cleansing balm, a gentle makeup remover that “uses micellar technology to gently lift makeup as well as oil and dirt from the skin.” He added that its formula also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the outer skin layer.
Don’t Use: Makeup with SPF
Instead Use: Actual Sunscreen
EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46
If there is one thing that Dr. Zeichner wishes his patients knew, it’s that no product, device, or procedure can replace the benefits of daily sunscreen. “UV light exposure from the sun is the number one cause of premature aging. There’s no better anti-aging treatment than wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen on a daily basis,” he shared. And while some makeup contains sunscreen, Dr. Zeichner noted that you likely aren’t applying enough to protect yourself from the sun.
Since UV light exposure is the number one cause of skin aging (at low levels), according to Dr. Zeichner, it’s important to choose a sunscreen that serves as your first line of defense against environmental factors. This EltaMD SPF 46 face sunscreen targets multiple signs of anti-aging, since it contains zinc oxide for UV protection, vitamin E to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and niacinamide to even out complexion. This formula also comes in tinted versions, making it easy to use as a skin tint or as a replacement for light foundation.
Don’t Use: Silicone Under Eye Patches
Instead Use: Targeted Eye Serums
L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Eye Bag Instant Eraser
For anyone with puffy under-eyes looking for a nonsurgical treatment, this L’Oréal serum will be your new “go-to product,” according to Dr. Zeichner. “Think of it like Spanx for your face. It contains a proprietary polymer that forms a tightening film over the skin that significantly improves the appearance of under-eye bags within 15 minutes.” Dr. Zeichner also noted that it can be worn over makeup as part of your daily regimen.
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Read the original article on Real Simple
