skin deep

Create a Beauty Regime That's Tailored Just for You

Your skin is your body's largest organ; as such, it's also one of your most important, helping to keep your body safe and protected from the elements that surround it. Between tips on how to prevent skin cancer and how to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, it seems there's no clear best way to treat your skin and keep it healthy.

But there is a starting point for every type of skin, be it oily or sensitive. We asked skincare experts New York City-based dermatologist Neal Schultz, and Robert J. Casquejo, PA-C, owner of Skin and Cancer Center of Scottsdale, Arizona, to weigh in how to get started with finding the right products for each skin type and what every person should have in his or her skincare arsenal.

GET STARTED
Knowing your skin type is critical in having the right skincare products on hand. “You need to first identify your oil/water skin type because the correct active ingredient – for whatever problem you want to solve – in the wrong vehicle may not only fail to solve the problem but may make it worse,” says Schultz. (To determine your oil/water skin type, see the sidebar.) Casquejo also recommends seeking the help of a professional. “Your personal goals are relevant!” he says. “Do you want to reduce fine lines or diminish redness? Are you looking to lighten dark spots or improve volume? It's important to understand that different products and procedures are relevant to each of these. The best advice then , is to visit a skincare professional to help you asses your tolerance and your goals.”

KNOW THE BASICS
Once you've established what your skin type is, know there are some key items that every person should have in their beauty arsenal no matter how oily or sensitive your skin may be. “The first is moisturizer,” says Casquejo. “Moisturizer replenishes the skin barrier and is paramount to skin care. It also reduces irritability and assists with the daily 'glow.' Even oily skin needs moisture balance.” Next up: exfoliant. “Exfoliants help to smooth the skin, reduce fine lines, lighten dark spots, and help to reveal a smooth, healthy tone most seek when using cosmetics. Though tolerability varies through skin types, it's a great baseline product to have in any routine.” Finally, sun protection is crucial for healthy skin. “The harmful radiation from the sun speeds up the aging process and can accentuate dark spots and redness, deepen natural wrinkles, and facilitate sagging and drooping of skin by inducing collagen breakdown,” explains Casquejo. “A daily use of sun protection is one of your front line weapons to resist these changes.”

AVOID SKINCARE PITFALLS
Weeding through the dos and don'ts of skincare can be tedious. Schultz suggests following some simple tips to avoid being overwhelmed by beauty brand marketing. First, “don't waste your time trying to make your own topical Vitamin C,” he says. “DIY topical Vitamin C preparations never work! That's why the real ones are pricey; they are difficult to make.” When applying multiple skincare products, “always apply starting with the lightest vehicle, and then apply your other products with successively heavier vehicles.” And lastly, “make sure you wash your face before exercise so you don't rub the oil, dirt, debris, and dead cells that accumulate on your skin into your pores when you remove sweat during exercise,” advises Schultz. “And never rub your face to remove sweat; only pat it dry.” Written by Blake Miller. YHL

What's Your Type?
Knowing your skin type is key to getting the best results on a day-to-day basis. Follow this brief quiz from Neal Schultz, M.D. To determine what skin type you have.