Get Clear Skin Using Dermatologist Approved Products

August 16, 2021

Skin is the largest organ of the body. It is the outermost layer of the skin that provides a waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone. That’s why it becomes important to understand your skin type and use the best skincare products to get clear skin.

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Hoppingo approached Dr. Anika Goel, a Dermatologist, to get her recommendations on the best products for clear skin. While speaking to us, she also gave us very important tips that will help us achieve the clear flawless skin that we all dream of.

 

Dr. Anika also believes in skinimalism, the latest trend in skincare. Described as the minimizing of our skincare (and makeup) routines. Whether that means reducing the number of products and active ingredients in our routines, or simply wearing less foundation to allow our real skin to shine through. This approach is especially great for troublesome or acne-prone skin.

But to do that, it’s very important to understand your skin type first.

Dry Skin– Dry skin is flaky, scaly, or rough.

Oily Skin– Oily skin is shiny, greasy, and may have big pores.

Combination Skin– Combination skin is dry in some spots and oily in the T-zone.

Normal Skin– Normal skin is balanced, clear, and non-sensitive.

Acne-Prone Skin– Has frequent breakouts.

Sensitive Skin– Sensitive skin may itch, sting, or burn after you use some makeup or other products.

Once you are aware of your skin type, you can start the routine that suits you best. Using products formulated for your skin’s needs will help your skin look and feel its best.

No matter what your skin type is, a daily skincare routine can help you maintain overall skin health and improve specific concerns like acne, scarring, and dark spots. A daily skincare routine has four basic steps. you need to do it once in the morning and once before you sleep. Start with a basic and simple routine to see how your skin reacts.

Cleansers

A gentle facial cleanser will remove your makeup and get rid of dirt and oils to leave it feeling clean, fresh, and ready for your other skincare products to be absorbed easily. Skipping cleansing may leave your skin open to breakouts, oiliness, and clog pores.

Dr. Anika suggests using Cetaphil and Bioderma cleansers. As they are gentle on your skin and great for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

 

 

 

Serums

The serum is a skincare product you can apply to your skin after cleansing but before moisturizing. Serums consist of molecules that can penetrate deeply into the skin and deliver a very high concentration of active ingredients. Serums contain various ingredients like Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Retinol, Hyaluronic acid, etc. A serum with Niacinamide or vitamin C is better in the morning, under sunscreen. Whereas Retinol should preferably be used at night.

Niacinamide

Studies show that Niacinamide can help reduce blemishes and dark spots, especially from acne. Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that helps hydrate skin. It also treats hyperpigmentation, promotes skin elasticity, decreases redness and acts as an antioxidant, fighting free radicals.

 

 

 

Vitamin C

When using a vitamin C serum, look for one that contains a stable form of vitamin C, so that the molecule will actually be able to soak into your skin. Vitamin C helps you deal with hyperpigmentation by reducing melanin levels. It also protects against pollution and UV damage, along with removing dark spots and aging signs.

 

 

Retinol

Retinol is another skincare ingredient with multiple benefits. Retinol or prescription retinoids are best used at night as using them in the day without proper sunscreen can cause sunburn. Retinol is a form of vitamin A that helps decrease visible wrinkles, bright spots, and pore size. It is also known to fight acne and treat acne scarring. Retinol helps neutralize free radicals to boost the production of collagen. It also has an exfoliating effect that helps improve skin texture and tone.

 

Look for products with these ingredients and add them to your routine after washing your face. Don’t forget to always wear sunscreen after application to avoid sun damage.

Moisturizers

Moisturizers keep your skin hydrated and lubricated which helps strengthen your skin. Opt for a lighter moisturizer during the day that will soak in quickly and won’t cause flaking under makeup. If your skin is drier, try a thicker and more greasy formula, like a cream. Look for ceramides or hyaluronic acid, since these lead to moisture retention in the skin.

 

 

Sunscreen

This is the most important step in your skincare routine according to Dermatologist Dr. Anika Goel. Sun damage causes premature aging. Plus, treating hyperpigmentation without daily SPF use, is not going to work. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen as the last step in your morning skincare routine, including on your neck and the backs of your hands. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours. You can choose Gel or cream depending on your skin type.

 

 

 

Acne Spot Treatment

If you have a pimple that you’d like to see go away before the important meeting, this is a great time to apply acne spot treatments. But instead of focusing on pimples when they pop up, it’s best to keep up with your skincare routine as a preventative measure. Sometimes if you just treat the spot, then might get an acne breakout elsewhere if your skin is clogged. You’re getting breakouts because of oil build-up in your skin. So you have to keep the pores clean on your whole face.

 

 

 

Face Oils

Face oils are a great way to lock in moisture while you sleep. A lot of people think that if they have acne or oily skin, their skin will break out with the oils but it’s not true, A lot of them can actually really help hydrate the skin. Particularly if you’re using active ingredients like retinol and alpha hydroxy acids, face oils are a great way to add an extra boost of moisture while you sleep.

 

Skin Peels

Skin Peels gently exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells by loosening the binds that hold dull skin cells together, making them easier to lift away. This helps to reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots while also smoothing the skin’s texture. It also reduces blemishes and acne marks while restoring your glow by promoting skin renewal. Skin Peels should be used strictly at night.

 

 

Tips for Clear Skin

Genetics

There are many skincare products that promise to be smooth, tighten and firm. However, they might not work for everyone. One major contributing factor is your genetics. This explains why some people start seeing wrinkles, acne, and skin discoloration at an early age while others may not experience skin troubles till much later.

While genetics play an important role in your skin health, it doesn’t mean you’re destined to wrinkle early or experience adult acne. Your lifestyle also plays an important role in your skin’s health. Research shows that 40% of aging factors are non-genetic, meaning you can take action to improve your skin health.

Here are a few healthy lifestyle habits to make that can improve your skin health:

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water. It’s the most common advice given, but it’s essential for your health. Staying hydrated keeps your skin hydrated, helping to promote the loss of dead skin cells. The more hydrated your skin, the plumper and more supple your skin.

Smoking

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow and makes skin paler. This also depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health.

Smoking also damages collagen and elastin, the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. Also, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking, such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke, can also contribute to wrinkles.

A Healthy Balanced Diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. The association between diet and acne isn’t yet clear, but some research suggests that a diet rich in fish oil or fish oil supplements and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger-looking skin. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin hydrated.

Manage Stress

Stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin and a healthy state of mind, you need to manage your stress levels. Get enough sleep, set reasonable limits for yourself, and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might surprise you.

Exercise

We do not realize but most of our skin problems often could be due to stress, no exercise, and various other imbalances in our bodies. Premature wrinkling and acne can start due to stress or unhealthy lifestyle practices.  This could also occur due to hormonal changes in the body and improper digestion. Including Yoga in your daily regime can help you achieve smooth, glowing skin by increasing blood circulation to the head and face area, leading to a naturally beautiful skin tone.

Supplements

A bright and youthful complexion doesn’t just come down to good skincare or the right products. Sometimes adding a daily supplement can also benefit the appearance of your skin. In fact, adding specific nutrients and vitamins to your diet via a supplement is a great way to tackle skin concerns internally.

There are even some vitamins dedicated to maintaining clear skin. So, whether you are looking to boost collagen production by increasing your intake of vitamin C or want to curb breakouts by including zinc, or even fight wrinkles with omega 3 fatty acids, there is definitely a supplement that fits your specific concern.

 

Watch Dr. Anika Goel’s Tips on getting clear skin HERE.

 

Remember that your skin type can affect how products work. Using the wrong product, even if it is natural, can cause breakouts or cause redness. It’s best to find out what skin type you have and build your skincare routine around that.