Top 10 skin care tips

Skin care is the range of practices that support skin integrity, enhance its appearance and relieve skin conditions. They can include nutrition, avoidance of excessive sun exposure and appropriate use of emollients. Practices that enhance appearance include the use of cosmetics, botulinum, exfoliation, fillers, laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion, peels, retinol therapy and ultrasonic skin treatment. Skin care is a routine daily procedure in many settings, such as skin that is either too dry or too moist, and prevention of dermatitis and prevention of skin injuries.

1. Use the correct cleanser for your skin type-: "For oily or acne-prone skin, a salicylic gel or benzoyl peroxide wash works great," says Dr. Ava Shamban, a dermatologist in Santa Monica. "For dry mature skin, use either a moisturizing glycolic or milky cleanser. For skin with brown spots or melasma, use a brightening wash, such as an alpha hydroxy acid cleanser."

2. Don’t use too many products-: Layering on multiple skincare products all at once is a big no-no, says Dr. Julia Tzu, an NYC-based dermatologist. It can be harsh on the skin, resulting in more breakouts and clogged pores.

3. Avoid direct heat exposure-: Don't just watch out for the sun — getting too close to heaters and fireplaces can also wreak havoc on your skin. "It causes inflammation and collagen breakdown. I recommend staying at least ten feet away," explains Dr. Debbie Palmer, a New York dermatologist. So next time you're roasting chestnuts or s'mores over an open fire, take a step back.

4. Vitamins should go on your skin, too-: A balanced diet is important, but there's more than one way to give your skin vitamins. There are also topical antioxidants, which are serums and creams that contain ingredients that nourish the skin (think vitamin C serum!). "These can really help to repair the skin from sun damage," says Dr. Palmer. Not sure how to use them? The best time to apply them is right after cleansing so that your skin can soak them in, or they can be layered under your sunscreen for added protection.

5. Apply Moisturizer After Cleansing-: Cleansing your skin is a great start but without moisturizing it directly after, you’re missing a vital skin-care step. When you apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp post-cleanse, you’re able to seal in that moisture to help promote all-day hydration. We like the Lancôme Absolue Velvet Cream, which is packed with SPF and anti-aging ingredients.

6. Apply Products in the Proper Order-: If you want your products to have the best chance at delivering their promised results, make sure you’re applying them in the right order. Most dermatologists recommend that you apply your skin-care products from lightest to heaviest. For example, you can start with a lightweight serum, followed by a thin moisturizer and lastly a broad-spectrum sunscreen to lock it all in.

7. Never Wear Makeup to Bed-: Even if you’re exhausted from a long day of work, make sure to set aside time to take off your makeup. When you fall asleep in your makeup, it can lead to clogged pores and potential breakouts. For that reason, you should always wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities, dirt, bacteria and makeup before hopping into bed.

8. Drink Water-: We can’t stress just how important it is to drink enough water. Studies have found that drinking enough water every day helps the superficial look of your skin, so don’t miss out on hydration.

9. Sweep up oil with a foaming face wash-: If you're breaking out along your hairline, it could be from the oil in your hair products. A foaming face wash cuts through the oil without being harsh. Don't forget sunscreen on your ears, hairline, neck, hands, and chest. Dermatologists can look at your décolleté to see how old you are. Swap out your sunscreen. Dryness, redness, and tight skin are signs that you may need to switch to a higher SPF. Try a new sunscreen and see if the issues go away in a few days.

10. Wear Sunscreen-: As a child, you likely reserved sunscreen for days spent playing outdoors and excursions to the beach. While it’s great that you layered up on those days, it’s equally important to wear broad-spectrum SPF on the not-so-sunny days, too. Despite the way the sky looks, you can still be affected by the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can cause premature skin aging and even some cancers. To reduce those risks, it’s vital to apply (and reapply) sunscreen as part of your daily skin-care routine.