PRESS snooze on your morning alarm because skincare routines don’t need multiple time-consuming steps, according to a dermatologist.
Dr. Clare Kiely raved about a double-duty product among her tips for a flawless complexion.
Dr. Kiely, who lives in London, England, has spent over 15 years studying skin, specializing in skin aging and cancer.
She is a consultant dermatologist and the co-founder of cosmetics brand The Skin Diary.
Speaking to The U.S. Sun, she shared advice for defying the visible signs of aging.
Dr. Kiely recommended buying products that have multiple purposes to avoid having a lengthy morning routine.
She revealed the specific order beauty buys should be applied to get the best results.
“Use your antioxidant serum in the morning after cleansing,” she said.
“If you need moisturizer, apply it second and sunscreen third.
“I am a big fan of sunscreens that can double up as a moisturizer, particularly if you’re oily or spot-prone because nobody wants too many steps in the morning.”
Retinoid creams should be saved for nighttime routines as they increase skin sensitivity to the sun.
Dr. Kiely recommended cleansing and drying the skin before applying the vitamin A derivative.
“Remember to introduce these 2-3 times weekly to start, then lock in moisture with a nourishing night cream,” she said.
“I like botanicals and peptides in my night cream because the phenolic compounds are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, and the peptides repair the skin as you sleep.”
Getting at least eight hours of sleep a night is “tricky” for many people, especially those with young children or busy working lives.
“Be kind to yourself and get as much sleep as you can,” Dr. Kiely said.
“Stress also has an impact and is linked to poor sleep, so working on good sleeping habits and reducing stress is also key to youthful skin.”
She said sleep lines can become permanent in “older, less elastic skin,” but it isn’t a common issue for her clients.
Do whatever you can to get a good night’s sleep.
Dr. Clare Kiely
“If you are a stomach sleeper who sleeps in the same position every night with your face squished on the pillow, it’s possible,” she said.
“Sleeping on your back, getting a comfortable memory foam pillow, or using a satin pillowcase so your face slides a bit more are all options.
“But honestly the impact that your sleeping position has on your skin is nowhere near the effect UV has on your skin so I’d say don’t sweat the small stuff and wear sunscreen.
“Do whatever you can to get a good night’s sleep and if a silk pillowcase does it for you then go for it.”
Dr. Clare Kiely previously revealed that “the gold standard in skincare” is L-ascorbic acid, which is a form of vitamin C.
She described it as the “most potent and abundant antioxidant in the epidermis.”
It’s worth using serums that contain the ingredient as L-ascorbic acid depletes with age and UV exposure.
Antioxidants, retinoids, and peptides should be used daily alongside SPF for a youthful glow.
