5 Skincare Resolutions Your Dermatologist Wishes You Would Make

Now that you’ve reflected on your 2019 successes and shortcomings, it’s time to draft up those 2020 intentions. Maybe this is the year you want to switch careers, or pay off your credit card debts — kudos for making some lofty and achievable goals for yourself.

It’s also a natural time to think about your health. Perhaps you could make those doctor appointments you’ve been putting off. And why not book an appointment with your dermatologist, to outline some skincare resolutions? A board-certified dermatologist can work with you to develop a simplified, but thorough regimen as it pertains to your own skin goals — be it anti-aging, anti-acne, oil control, combating dryness or anything else.

While your doctor can tailor her or his tips to you, there is also great universal advice to consider as you make these skin-friendly resolutions. We spoke with the superstar board-certified trio at Modern Dermatology in Seattle for some good-for-everyone tips. (Their team includes Drs. Heather Rogers, Carly Roman and James Collyer.) Here are five things the three doctors urge their patients to do, which make for five excellent skincare resolutions — in 2020 and beyond.

1. Declutter your sink ledge

Your skincare regimen can be highly involved without needing dozens of products. In fact, you could probably pare it down to half a dozen or so. “You want fewer steps using well-formulated products with fewer total ingredients,” Rogers says. “Use only what your skin needs, not 10 steps, despite all the hype. If fact, too many products is often counterproductive, causing irritation and allergy leading to premature aging of the skin.”

2. Get an annual mole check and skin exam

“Skin cancer rates are on the rise and early detection of these cancers is key,” says Collyer. “Your dermatologist is the trained expert to evaluate your skin and can also give you tips on how to age gracefully and properly care for your skin.” You’ll notice a theme among these tips: schedule an appointment with your doctor and make a regular habit of it. They’re like a therapist for your dermis and the sooner you develop a relationship with that dermo, the better your mind, body and health will be.

3. Skip the chemical sunscreens

You already know that the doctors demand you wear SPF on the daily in order to block skin-aging and cancer-causing UV rays. But now they’re prescribing mineral sunscreens, exclusively: “Zinc sunscreens were once thick, white and unpleasant to apply,” says Rogers. “But now there are so many great mineral options that don’t make a mess — like Isdin, Colorescience and Supergoop).” Zinc provides better protection from the sun as opposed to chemical sunscreens, plus, even sensitive skin tolerates it better than the chemical options, she adds.

Photo: Modern Dermatology

4. Don’t neglect the skin on the rest of your body

“Most people tend to have a well-established skincare routine for their face but fall short when taking care of their skin elsewhere,” Roman says. As such, she recommends focusing your regimen on the rest of your body. “Start by using a gentle bar soap in the shower. Afterward, apply a heavy body cream to seal in the moisture.” (She likes Cerave for this.) “If your skin is feeling particularly dry during the winter months, sleeping with a humidifier is always helpful for preserving its moisture levels.”

5. When it comes to skincare treatments, less is more

As we age, more and more of our friends get skincare “treatments” — but not just a simple facial or microdermabrasion. We’re talking fillers, botox, neurotoxins, and the likes. “Too much of that leads to an expressionless and over-filled face,” says Rogers. “Lasering away every brown spot removes our individuality. At Modern Dermatology, we work with our patients to keep them looking like themselves, not some Instagram filter.” She hopes you and your board-certified dermatologist will take the same approach. After all, you can put greater focus on preventing signs of wear with the above tips, as opposed to paying top dollar to remove them later on.

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