Essential Skincare Routine: Must-Have Products for Healthy, Glowing Skin
The 3 steps — and key ingredients — everyone needs, according to Dr. Pimple Popper.
Published:
3 minute read
Maintaining healthy, glowing skin requires a consistent and effective skincare routine — but what exactly does that mean? According to dermatologist and SLMD Skincare founder Sandra Lee, MD (aka Dr. Pimple Popper), it’s all about a few simple steps — and the right ingredients.
By incorporating a few essentials into your daily regimen, you can address various skin concerns — from acne and large pores to premature aging and keratosis pilaris. Here are her must-have basics any skincare routine should have to keep skin healthy and balanced year-round.
Step 1: Cleanse
Cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine. It removes dirt, oil, and impurities that can compromise your skin barrier, clog pores and lead to breakouts. Proper cleansing prepares your skin to absorb other skincare products more effectively.
Types of cleansers
- Foaming: Best for normal, combination, and oily/acne-prone skin. They help to remove excess oil without stripping the skin. Try: SLMD Salicylic Acid Cleanser with exfoliating salicylic acid.
- Cream: Ideal for dry and sensitive skin. They cleanse without removing natural oils, keeping the skin hydrated.
- Oil-based: Great for removing makeup. They dissolve makeup and impurities without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier.
- Micellar water: A gentle option for all skin types. It removes dirt and makeup using micelles, which attract impurities like a magnet.
Tips for choosing the right cleanser
- Consider your skin type and concerns
- Avoid comedogenic ingredients like synthetic fragrance
- Look for hydrating and soothing properties
Step 2: Treat
This step involves using targeted treatments to address specific skin concerns such as acne, hyperpigmentation, and aging. Treatment products are usually more potent and contain active ingredients that can penetrate deeper into the skin.
Key ingredients
- Retinol: Helps with acne and signs of aging by promoting cell turnover and collagen production. Try: SLMD Retinol Resurfacing Serum.
- Vitamin C: Brightens and protects against free radicals, helping to reduce the appearance of dark spots and enhance skin radiance. Try: SLMD Vitamin C Serum.
- Hyaluronic acid: Hydrates and plumps the skin by attracting and retaining moisture. Try: SLMD Hyaluronic Acid Serum.
- Glycolic acid: Exfoliates and unclogs pores, improving skin texture and tone. Try: AHA/BHA Swipes.
Dr. Pimple Popper's Skincare Essentials
Step 3: Moisturize
Moisturizing is crucial for maintaining skin hydration and barrier function. Locking in hydration keeps the skin soft, smooth, and resilient. Proper moisturization can also prevent dryness and irritation.
Types of moisturizers
- Gel: Light and non-greasy, ideal for oily skin. They provide hydration without clogging pores. Try: SLMD Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer.
- Cream: Rich and hydrating, perfect for dry skin. They offer deep moisture and help repair the skin barrier.
- Oil-Free: Suitable for acne-prone skin. They hydrate without causing breakouts. Try: SLMD Facial Moisturizer with Vitamin C.
Selecting non-comedogenic formulas
- Prevents clogged pores and breakouts
- Maintains moisture without causing irritation
Step 4: Protect
Daily sun protection is essential to prevent skin damage and premature aging. UV rays can cause sunburn, premature aging (like wrinkles and sun spots), and increase the risk of skin cancer. Dr. Lee recommends using a combination moisturizer/sunscreen, which will save you a skincare step.
Difference between chemical and physical sunscreens
- Chemical sunscreens: Absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, which is then released from the skin. Try: SLMD Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15.
- Physical sunscreens: Mostly reflect UV rays away from the skin, acting as a barrier.
Tips for proper sunscreen application
- Apply generously 15 minutes before sun exposure
- Reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating
- Use sunscreen even on cloudy days, as UV rays can penetrate through clouds
Additional steps for specific skin concerns
- Anti-aging: Incorporate peptides and antioxidants to support collagen and prevent environmental damage. Try: SLMD Plump, Prevent, Protect Essentials.
- Hyperpigmentation: Use brightening agents like niacinamide and licorice root extract and exfoliants like AHAs and retinol to even out skin tone and reduce dark spots.
- Acne: Incorporate salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinol treatments to treat and prevent breakouts at every stage. Try: SLMD Acne System.
Essential skincare for body
We tend to get hyper-focused on our face, but Dr. Lee has made it a personal mission to encourage people to pay more attention to body skin health. The same 3-step philosophy holds true here as well:
- Cleanse: If you’re prone to body acne, changing up your body cleanser is one of the best ways to reduce those inflammatory breakouts. Try: SLMD BP Body Wash with benzoyl peroxide, part of the Body Acne System.
- Treat: One of Dr. Lee’s favorite body care ingredients is glycolic acid — an AHA that sloughs off dead skin cells like a boss. Try: SLMD Glycolic Acid Body Scrub to address rough, bumpy skin, plus ward off ingrown hairs.
- Moisturize: For super dry, bumpy body skin (including keratosis pilaris), Dr. Lee recommends a combination of exfoliating and moisturizing. Try: SLMD Body Smoothing System.
Dr. Lee's Last Word
I like to keep my skincare as simple as possible — and I think my patients appreciate that. Combining potent dermatological ingredients in effective ways is the core of my philosophy behind SLMD Skincare. Like I always say, good skincare isn’t magic, it’s science. Use the essentials on a consistent basis, and you’re going to see healthier skin.
