Certified dermatologist, Dr. Caitlyn Foote, shares helpful tips on how to take care of your skin.
September is National Skincare Awareness Month and it could not come at a better time of the year. With summer coming to an end and the hustle and bustle of the school year starting, it is easy to let good skincare habits slip our minds. Let this be your reminder to take a moment for yourself and your skin.
Here is my personal morning routine for glowing skin that takes less than 5 minutes:
- Step 1: Gentle face cleansing. Wash face and pat dry. One of my favorite cleansers to use, is EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser. Other great options include CeraVe or Cetaphil.
- Step 2: Apply Vitamin C serum or Growth Factor serum, or better yet, both! (I use SkinMedica C + E Complex and SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum)
- Step 3: The most important step- apply moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. I like the lightweight, smooth, EltaMD UV Daily.
Skincare isn’t just for the face… here are a few more quick tips for all over healthier skin:
- Tip 1: Don’t forget to extend your products onto your neck and chest, these areas are exposed to the elements as much as our face and will greatly benefit!
- Tip 2: Moisturizing is key for healthy skin. The best time to do this is after a shower once you have pat dry. If you tend to have rough spots or flaking on your skin, try a lotion with lactic acid or salicylic acid in it, like Amlactin lotion. If that doesn’t apply to you, I recommend a nice thick cream such as Vanicream, CeraVe, or Cetaphil Moisturizing cream.
- Tip 3: Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2 hours, or even sooner if you are swimming or sweating. If you have difficulty remembering to reapply, look for lightweight clothing with SPF 30 or higher built in.
- Tip 4: As hard as it may be, do not pick, scratch, rub or squeeze bumps on your skin. This risks creating an infection, prolongs healing time and increases chances of a scar forming in the area.
- Tip 5: The most important part of taking care of your skin is watching for new or changing areas. Take note about once a month. If you notice a spot that is changing in size, shape or color, bleeding spontaneously, constantly itching, painful or simply new, make sure to contact your dermatologist for an evaluation. Skin cancer can easily be treated when caught early!
Caitlyn Foote, MD, FAAD
Christie Clinic Department of Dermatology