We sling a lot of skincare tips around, but do you ever wonder what is actually on our MDs bathroom counters? And perhaps more importantly, how they are applying it. The order you apply your skincare products matters and impacts the efficacy of what you’re using. We asked Dr. Klein to share her skincare routine with us from start to finish AM and PM.
A.M.
The goal here is to start the day with a clean slate and then layer on the lines of defense.
1. Modern Dermatology Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Wash - A therapeutic, soap-free wash that effectively cleanses and treats acne-prone skin without drying or irritating the skin.
2. BioDerm PURE Antioxidant Serum – This is my and Dr. Mraz’s skincare line. We worked hard to curate this high potency blend of super antioxidants – Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid, Phloretin, and Peptides – to provide broad spectrum protection from environmental toxins. It’s important to apply this to clean skin so it can be absorbed.
3. Alastin Restorative Skin Complex - Helps support the skin’s natural ability to produce new, healthy elastin and collagen. A little goes a long way, I use a pump for my entire face – about the size of an almond.
4. Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment - Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eye. Tip: apply with your ring finger, this will prevent you from tapping or tugging too hard on the delicate skin around your eye.
5. Skin Better Science Rejuvenate Even Tone Correcting Serum - Brightens the skin, while breaking up the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
6. Alastin Hydratint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 36 – Physical, broad-spectrum sunscreen that provides daily protection from damaging UVA/UVB rays, with a universal tint compatible for all skin types.
7. Photoderm MAX Compact teinte dorée SPF 50+ - This compact is my go-to in the morning to dust over top of my Alastin Hydratint…I also use it throughout the day for touchups. It is a physical sunscreen that provides great UVA/UVB protection against the harmful effects of the sun and evens out my complexion, softening dyspigmentation and blemishes.
Note: If Dr. Klein was using a chemical sunscreen, she would have applied that as Step 2 in her routine. Chemical sunscreens need to be absorbed by the skin where they absorb UV rays, convert the rays into heat, and release them from the body. The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens include avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone (note: oxybenzone should not be used during pregnancy). On the flip side, physical sunscreens (or mineral sunscreens) sit on top of the skin and create a physical barrier that reflects the sun’s rays. The minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the main active ingredients in physical sunscreens. If you're using a physical sunscreen it needs to be the last thing you apply in your skincare routine for it to work.
P.M.
The goal in the evening is to clean the skin of the environmental toxins it has encountered during the day and nourish it for repair. Our skin follows a circadian rhythm just like the rest of our bodies, and it does its best repair work while we’re sleeping.
1. CLN Acne Cleanser– designed by fellow Dermatologists, this cleanser contains 0.5% salicylic acid and is preserved with sodium hypochlorite. It fights bacteria while gently exfoliating and eliminating clogged pores.
2. Next I alternate between Skin Better Science AlphaRet Intensive or my Fabior Tazorac Foam .1% - depending on how dry or not my skin is feeling. The Skin Better Science AlphaRet is an innovative form of retinol, that delivers great results with much less irritation than other retinoids and retinol-based products. Retinols are a must for evening skincare routine – they increase skin cell turnover rate, improving everything from skin tone and texture to fine lines and even acne. When I can tolerate it, I use the Tazorac Foam, which is a prescription strength retinol.
3. PURE BioDerm B5 Hydrating Serum- Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B5 work synergistically to absorb and retain water to repair the skin barrier function and promote new skin cells.
4. Alastin Restorative Skin Complex - Helps support the skin’s natural ability to produce new, healthy elastin and collagen. A little goes a long way, I use a pump for my entire face – about the size of an almond.
5. Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment - Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eye. Tip: apply with your ring finger, this will prevent you from tapping or tugging too hard on the delicate skin around your eye.
6. Skin Better Science Rejuvenate Even Tone Correcting Serum - Brightens the skin, while breaking up the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
…that’s not all. Dr. Klein also takes Heliocare Advanced with Nicotinamide B3 Supplement 2x per day (in the morning) to decrease sun sensitivity and promote overall skin health. The supplement has been shown in randomized control trials to decrease sun sensitivity (not to be used in place of sunscreen) and to help with melasma.
Stop by the office and chat with one of our skincare specialists to choose the right products for your skin and start a new sink-side routine today!
