clock: Tips to improve your skin care routine
Summer is fast approaching, and with the change in seasons, it’s the perfect time to reevaluate your skincare routine.
This includes not only swapping out products to better protect yourself from the sun, but also finding products that help brighten your skin. Who doesn’t love a beautiful glow?
If you’re not sure where to start or what you should know, “Good Morning America” asked board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rita Linkner to walk us through the ABCs and 123s of summer skin.
Let it be your go-to guide to achieving healthy, glowing skin this season.
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The ABCs of Skin Care
The A stands for Vitamin A, also known as retinol, which Linkner says is a powerful exfoliant that speeds up cell turnover on the skin’s surface.
“This is where anti-acne and anti-aging collide,” she told GMA.
She adds: “Patients often ask whether they should opt for an over-the-counter medication called retinol, or a stronger retinoid that requires a prescription. An easy way to remember the difference is that retinoids end with a D, so they must be prescribed by a dermatologist. If you’re struggling with acne, melasma or stubborn dark spots, a stronger retinoid is always the best choice.”
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B vitamins, particularly B3, are commonly classified as niacinamides. For those who suffer from the redness, yellowing, and poor texture of rosacea, niacinamide is a great addition to your skincare routine to correct skin tone, suggests Linkner.
“Vitamin B3 is also a precursor to NAD(p), an enzyme important for many cellular metabolic reactions,” says Linkner, who recommends upgrading your summer routine with this powerful antioxidant to help reverse signs of aging caused by sun exposure.
Linkner also noted that unlike vitamin A, which can make sensitive skin even more sensitive, niacinamide is very well tolerated and its barrier protection could help improve skin in people prone to eczema.
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Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, acts as a skin lightening agent that prevents melanin from being deposited in the skin.
“It’s ideal for anyone looking to eliminate the dull look in the mirror,” Linkner said.
She continues, “Most people don’t realize that vitamin C can also minimize the risk of sunburn from UVB rays, so if you’re not already using topical vitamin C daily, today is the perfect day to start.”
Skin Care 123
Linkner said she often finds people using too many products, and there’s a lot of confusion about the correct order in which to use the products.
She also says that applying layers incorrectly can lead to products that don’t work well together and can lead to peeling.
“Less is more, and the order of work is important,” she said.
Below is her recommended application order:
first step: Linkner recommends her patients use scrubs in the summer to clear their skin: “Scrubs, even if used just once or twice a week, use microparticles to physically exfoliate and help remove dead skin cells, but they also contain chemical exfoliants, which can help correct pigmentation,” Linkner says.
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Step 2: Apply eye cream: Because the skin on your eyelids is thin, it’s beneficial to use a delicate product to protect them from all the other ingredients that come into contact with your face, says Linkner.
“You don’t need to have any special ingredients in your eye cream, as this area is particularly prone to allergic reactions,” she says. “The more bland the better.”
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Step 3: Linkner suggests applying sunscreen next (or using a tinted sunscreen instead) whenever you’re not working out: “The iron oxide pigments that give it color help protect against melasma and rosacea,” she says.
She recommends applying one to two pumps of sunscreen all over your face, including your forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin, followed by a photoprotective antioxidant vitamin C serum.
“Keep in mind that sunscreen only blocks 55% of UVA free radicals,” Linkner says. “Vitamin C enhances the effectiveness of your sunscreen and, when combined with an appropriate SPF of 30-50, protects your skin from UV-induced changes like fine lines and discoloration. Combining these two steps together aesthetically creates a single, adhesive layer on top of the skin that allows any makeup application to be applied.”
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