LIS.DOCTOR

Skin Care

As we live longer, our skin loses some of its luster. It wrinkles in certain places, it thins, and it is more prone to damage. The pace of these changes will vary based on skin tone, sun exposure, and lifestyle habits including smoking.

As any dermatologist will tell you, the skin is the largest organ in your body, and deserves a lot of credit. In addition to making you the beautiful human that you are, your skin helps with regulating your body temperature, transmitting pain and pleasure signals to the brain, keeping you hydrated (by making sure your fluids stay in your body), and preventing infection. You should take good care of your skin (and say thank you once in a while).

FOR STARTERS...

First, I am neither the world's expert in skin care, nor competent in all of the fancy serums, lotions, or "cosmeceuticals" that can transform your morning and evening into a 10-step skin care process. I am, however, interested in "easy and effective." What is the bare minimum routine that yields the best results for most people with healthy skin (i.e. no known skin conditions)?

SOME SIMPLE RECOMMENDATIONS

Lotion
Moisturize your skin daily. As made famous in the movie Zoolander: moisture is the essence of wetness. And wetness is the essence of beauty. Most people have their preferred lotion, but something basic and unscented will work well and not break the bank. I prefer the brands Cerave and Eucerin.
Vitamin A Derivatives
Topical vitamin A is used in acne treatment, and is highly effective. However, at low doses, it can help treat wrinkles as well. Adapalene gel (commonly branded as Differin Gel) is an over-the-counter (i.e. no prescription needed) treatment that mildly reverses wrinkles. It works by stimulating collagen production which can add some elasticity back to the skin. If patients want to use this, I typically will recommend using a small amount 2-3 nights per week, as it can dry out the skin and I don't want to overuse it and lose effectiveness.
Note: Vitamin A is harmful to fetuses and you should speak with your health care professional before using this product, especially if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.
Avoid Excess Sun
Sunlight includes UV light, which is damaging to the skin. Some sunlight is good for you (and is a major source of natural Vitamin D production) however too much sunlight will damage the skin. People with darker skin tones can tolerate more sun exposure (due to more melanin in the skin), however those with lighter skin tones should wear sunscreen and protective clothing, especially if they are in the sun for longer than ~20 minutes. Limiting excess sun exposure in all patients can slow aging of the skin, and can significantly decrease the risk for skin cancer.
If you're out in the sun - wear sunscreen! SPF-30 is a good strength to start with.
Also: Should be obvious, but tanning booths emit UV light and are a big no-no.

That's it - pretty simple. You may read and/or hear about Vitamin C, or staying "hydrated," or getting enough sleep, or some new magic serum that makes you look 20 years old again -- but in my opinion these are either too vague, too complicated, or simply ineffective.

References / Additional Reading:
American Academy of Dermatology