4 Simple Skin-Care Habits To Start For Consistently Clear Skin

Is it just us, or has skin care gotten, dare we say it, a little… complicated? While the rules of caring for our skin remain the same, there’s now an avalanche of information at our fingertips. Even with how-tos just an internet search away, there are a few tried-and-true, dermatologist-tested ways to treat our skin. In partnership with Proactiv, we chatted with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian about how we can cut the fluff and keep it simple to achieve consistently clear skin without overdoing it. Here, four easy ways to get your skin in tip-top shape from a pro.

1. KEEP IT SIMPLE AND CONSISTENT

First and foremost, the leading Proactiv dermatologist wants you to keep one main thing in mind: Complicated is not key when it comes to skin care. In fact, you can get great results from a super simple routine, so long as you’re consistent. Nazarian recommends following four essential steps: cleanse, hydrate, protect, and treat. “A combination of these basics will cover all of your skin-care needs,” she says. “A gentle cleanser, a water-attracting hydrator, active ingredients to treat any underlying conditions or specific skin issues, and sunscreen.” Adopting a routine that does all of the above might sound daunting, but thankfully the Proactiv three-step system has a range of options for skin types and concerns to remove the guesswork. More on that below!

2. CONSIDER YOUR COMPLEXION’S UNIQUE NEEDS

Skin care isn’t one-size-fits-all. For instance, for more sensitive skin, Nazarian recommends calming, pH-balanced ingredients to avoid triggering inflammation. And for oily or acne-prone complexions, she notes that it’s crucial that all products are noncomedogenic and can multitask. “The basics of the regimen stay true,” she says. “It doesn’t need to be complex, but it needs to be smart.”

If you’re curious which multistep system is best for your skin type, here are Dr. Nazarian’s recommendations: the original Proactiv Solution for oily or combination skin, which contains micronized benzoyl peroxide; Proactiv+ for dry or sensitive skin, which is dermatologist-tested, noncomedogenic, and paraben-free developed to help stop future breakouts in their tracks; and ProactivMD formulated for inflamed and stubborn acne, which features a prescription-strength retinoid with no prescription required.

3. DON’T BE AFRAID OF ACTIVES

An “active” in skin care is an ingredient that helps treat a specific issue, such as benzoyl peroxide to help target acne. The key to making actives work is — you guessed it — keeping it simple. You don’t want to use multiple at once, for instance. One active that works on everything from the look of fine lines to acne: retinoids. “Retinoids are great for teaching the skin to slough regularly, renewing itself at an appropriate pace, staying smooth, soft, and improving tone by decreasing the appearance of sunspots and many signs of sun damage and skin aging,” Nazarian explains.

She adds that a retinoid, like the one in the ProactivMD system, is also incredibly useful at helping to treat acne. “With continued use, the use of retinoids can be used to help treat acne long-term, increasingly improving skin’s appearance and the look of old acne marks,” Nazarian says.

With these benefits in mind, Nazarian says incorporating a retinoid into your routine is a classic example of less is more. “Even a tiny amount can decrease oil production and help regulate skin cell turnover, often with an adjustment period called ‘retinization,’ where skin is temporarily a little dry and pink,” she explains. “Whenever starting a retinoid, start slow and low, a small amount mixed with moisturizer one to two times a week, increasing as tolerated.”

4. NEVER SKIMP ON SUNSCREEN

Sunscreen should become a daily staple in your routine if it’s not already (especially when using retinoids), seeing as sun exposure without protection will basically undo all of your hard work. As Nazarian explains: “Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation will only cause worsening of so many of the skin issues that we are trying to address, [including] wrinkles, pigmentation, enlarged pores, redness, and loss of elasticity.”

She adds that you should be using a good sunscreen (SPF 30 or above) on a daily basis regardless of the season or temperature outside. Yes, even on cloudy days. If you’re concerned about pore-clogging sunscreen formulas or have acne-prone skin, don’t worry: The Proactiv Clear Skin SPF 30 has you covered. Thanks to its oil-free, dermatologist-developed formula made with soothing allantoin and glycerin, it’s an excellent option for all skin types — including sensitive and acne-prone, and won’t cause breakouts.