23 Dermatologists' Skin-Care Routines That Are More Attainable Than You'd Think

Ever wonder what your favorite dermatologists' skin care routines actually look like when they're home alone and no one is watching? We did, too. That's why we asked top experts in the medical skin-care field to reveal what products they apply daily — and what ingredients really move the needle when it comes to promoting and maintaining the health and glow of their own complexions.

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Some of their answers were predictable — as if a dermatologist would ever leave the house without sunscreen — and others were more surprising. (Did we hear that someone washes their face with a modest bar of soap? Yep.) And while there are certain powerhouse ingredients few pros would forgo (like the brightening antioxidant vitamin C), their approaches vary from no-nonsense and efficient to layered and savvy.

But no matter your maintenance level, there's one thing we can all take away from these complexion confessions: Your skin-care routine should vary from morning to night. When you wake up, focus on protecting your skin from the pollution, sun, and various light waves that will inevitably be coming your way. 

In the evening, switch gears and apply more active ingredients, or what Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, calls the "worker bees." "At night is when your skin naturally regenerates itself," she says. "That's when you put [on] the actives, not the protectors." So, consider incorporating a retinoid formula that prompts cellular turnover and aids in smoothing the surface of your skin. And if you have time to throw on a sheet mask while catching up on the latest season of RuPaul's Drag Race, well, that's just a bonus.

Ahead, find the morning and evening skin-care routines of 23 top board-certified dermatologists — plus, the in-office treatments they do every now and then to keep their complexions in prime shape.

Ready to feel more confident when reading your beauty products' ingredient labels? Enter, the Allure Ingredient Index. In this comprehensive guide, you'll find everything you need to know about the most in-demand (and under-the-radar) ingredients in your favorite skin-care products.

In the morning, Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Kim Nichols, MD, like to start off her routine by cleansing with the SkinCeuticals Glycolic Cleanser. "This powerhouse cleanser contains eight percent glycolic acid to gently target dead skin cells and refine texture," she says. After her cleanse, she'll spritz the Heritage Store Rosewater and Glycerin Hydrating Facial Mist, which utilizes its namesake ingredients to plump and moisturize skin. "I use this mist immediately after cleansing," she says. "The rosewater and glycerin not only moisturize and refresh skin but also act as a humectant to lock in moisture, allowing my morning antioxidant to penetrate deeper into the skin."

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As a board-certified dermatologist, of course, SPF is the final step in her skin-care routine. "I personally love the EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF 46," she says.

Night:

To wash off a day's worth of makeup, sweat, and dirt, Dr. Nichols actually reaches for the Heritage Store Rose Oil as her first cleansing step. "It contains a nourishing blend of oils that soothe and gently remove any makeup and excess sebum from the face, the perfect first step to any double cleanse," she says. After rinsing, Dr. Nichols completes her double cleanse with a gentle cleanser.

Once her cleansing Skin Care Solutions routine is over, she uses a retinol serum as the final step of her night regimen. "Retinol improves the appearance of pore size, discoloration, and fine lines," she says.

The Extras:

Yes, the skin on your face needs attention, but one of Dr. Nichols's essential skin-care tips is to make sure you're applying the exact regimen you use on your face to the neck and décolletage areas as well. If her skin needs some "extra TLC," she'll also incorporate the Heritage Store Rosewater Jelly Mask into her daily skin-care routine. "I massage it into my face, neck, and décolletage to activate the konjac beads, revitalizing and exfoliating the skin without irritation," she says.

Interested in trying this derm-approved hydrating mask? We love Heritage Store's Rosewater Jelly Mask so much we've previously featured it in the Allure Beauty Box. You can grab the Allure Beauty Box for access to even more of our editor-approved favorites — for just $23.

Morning:

"My morning routine is very simple. Between getting my three kids ready and myself, my most important steps are cleanser and sunscreen," says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Morgan Rabach, MD. She prefers dual-action products because they save her time, are super-efficient, and eliminate the worry of havingto layer them correctly. 

Night:

For the evening she uses a few different products, again, depending on the state of her skin. "If I've been outside or had a lot of sun, I always go with a product with antioxidant-rich vitamin C like the SkinBetter Sciences Alto Defense Serum, which helps reduce inflammation and redness," Dr. Rabach says. 

She alternates the retinol that she uses depending on how dry her skin feels. "It Cosmetics makes a really good daily retinol serum-in-cream with light retinol," says Dr. Rabach. When she needs a more moisturizing retinol formula, she looks to her own brand, LM Medical, for its Retinol Moisturizer 0.5%. The skin-smoother, which is only available in-office, contains tretinoin, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.

For an added layer of protection, Dr. Rabach puts Aquaphor Healing Ointment on her lips and around her eyes. Being in and out of plastic gloves all day can do a number on her hands, so Rabach looks to Neutrogena's Norwegian Formula Hand Cream to relieve dryness. "[It's] incredible, especially during COVID," she says. "The product goes on like Vaseline and then dries. You wake up with super moisturized hands." Dr. Rabach shared another drugstore favorite that she indulges in at bathtime. "Dove's Body Mousse with Argan Oil is one of the most incredible products I've ever tried," she says. "It comes out like shaving cream and then lathers into a body soap." 

The Extras:

"I try to be in tune with what my skin needs at the moment, [taking note] if it's more oily and clogged, dry, or recovering from a treatment that I've done — like microneedling or a peel," Dr. Rabach concludes.

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