I Just Spoke to Every Expert I Know—These Are the Only Skin Tips That Matter
In a world of information overload, it's easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to caring for your skin. Just a quick scroll on social media will likely present a ton of conflicting information and advice—most of the time from people who aren't actually qualified to dish it out. Whether your skin is dry, prone to breakouts, oily or sensitive, it's important to remember that it's a vital organ that requires years of medical training to fully understand.
Because of this, it's worth reminding yourself that when you feel at a loss and your moisturisers, serums and cleansers aren't working, you're not failing—there's simply something up with your skin's function. More often than not, enlisting the help of a qualified expert can help get you back on track.
But because expert help can be expensive (and getting any sort of time with a dermatologist on the NHS is becoming harder and harder), I figured I'd lend a helping hand. Considering I have some of the world's best skincare professionals on speed dial, including dermatologists, aestheticians, surgeons and facialists, I reached out to them to help bring some simplicity back to your routine.
While skin and its functions are deeply complex, I asked some of the most straight-talking skin experts out there to share their single most important piece of skincare advice. So forget everything you thought you knew—these are the only expert skin tips worth knowing.
1. Keep Things Simple
This came out on top as the single most recommended skincare tip—and for good reason. Skin + Me dermatologist Jason Thomson says, "With so many products and categories available in the skincare market, it's very easy to be overwhelmed and tempting to have an over-complicated skincare regimen. This is unnecessary, expensive, and you risk damaging your skin barrier if you're applying too many products with powerful active ingredients."
Instead, it's important to keep things simple where you can. "Fashion editors always sing the praises of a capsule wardrobe, and I think it's important to have a capsule skincare collection. Switching up products too often and adding too many of them can damage your skin barrier and prevent you from seeing results. A capsule skincare collection should be composed of reliable, daily go-tos that are within your budget and you know work well with your skin," says dermatologist Cristina Psomadakis.
Nailing your capsule skincare wardrobe is actually easier than you might think. Spirithoula Koukoufikis, senior medical aesthetician at Skinfluencer London, advises that while the products you use will depend on what your skin needs, the basics remain mostly the same. "Recommended routines usually include a cleanser, an antioxidant, a hydrator formulated for your skin type, and an SPF. At night, besides a cleanser, we also advise using a product that encourages cellular turnover and an active night-time hydrator," she says. This sort of active might be an exfoliating acid or retinol.
Shop Simple Skincare
This simple cleansing balm helps cleanse the skin of pore-clogging bacteria and makeup while keeping irritation and dryness to a minimum.
Considered the best vitamin C, antioxidant serum out there, this stuff will help fend off skin damage caused by environmental aggressors such as pollution and UV rays and boost glow while it's at it.
If you're reluctant to try a retinol, this gentle formula is a great place to start. Apply it twice a week at night to begin with, and gradually increase application as your skin becomes more tolerant.
2. Cleansing Is Crucial
All skin experts agree that every great skincare routine starts with cleansing. If you haven't got your cleansing step nailed, the rest is a waste of time. "There are multiple reasons that cleansing is vital to your skin's health," says Manal El Hage, a therapist at Dr. Kayle Aesthetic Clinic. "Cleansing helps to reinforce and protect the outer layer of your skin, and targeted products that contain actives such as vitamin C and retinol will not work to their full potential if skin hasn't been properly cleansed," she adds.
And to cleanse doesn't just mean swiping some micellar water over your face at the end of the day, either. Katharine Mackenzie Paterson, a facialist and an ambassador for Decléor, says, "There's no point in spending lots of hard-earned cash on serums and creams for your face if they can't properly absorb into the skin due to pollutants or old makeup that hasn't been removed effectively. At night, I'm a fan of a double cleanse. For a first cleanse, I like to use something oil-based. Oil cuts into oil, so this is really the most effective way to really break down any makeup, sebum, and debris lying on the skin."
However, it's also important not to overcomplicate your cleansing routine if you want to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. "Your daily cleansing routine doesn't need to be overly complicated or time-consuming," says CeraVe consultant dermatologist Alexis Granite. "Do your research, find the products that work for you and stick with it as your skin needs time to adapt to change. Keep your cleansing step simple, and leave targeted ingredients for serums and moisturisers."
Shop Cleansers
With nourishing ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this gentle, foaming oil cleanser removes makeup and dirt with ease while keeping your skin barrier healthy.
Paterson recommends using this stuff as a second cleanse in the evening thanks to its gentle nature and hydrating qualities.
3. Don't Overlook Exfoliation
The topic of exfoliation has gotten a bad rap in recent years. Social media tells us that exfoliating too frequently will destroy our skin barrier (true), but that doesn't mean you should quit it entirely. Natalie Lindner, the founder of Natalie's Cosmetics, says, "My number-one skincare tip would be to focus on exfoliating acids before applying any thick skincare products. Think of it like a wooden door that you have to sand down and polish before painting. Slowly incorporate acids a couple of times per week into your regimen and build tolerance over time—it will leave skin glowing and thoroughly nourished."
Shop Exfoliants
This editor-approved skincare serum should be used every day, morning and night. Containing gentle PHAs, it helps exfoliate skin while delivering essential hydration, meaning your skin barrier will stay happy throughout.
Lindner believes that exfoliation of skin on the body is of utmost importance. This body lotion might be expensive, but it's formulated to help smooth skin in a truly effective way.
4. Protect Your Skin Barrier at All Costs
We talk about the importance of simple cleansing and gentle exfoliation frequently, and here's why: "It's so important to protect your skin barrier. Avoid over-exfoliating or harsh physical scrubs that can irritate it," says Cadogan Clinic consultant dermatologist Thivi Maruthappu, MA, MRCP, PhD. "Instead, support it with light chemical exfoliants like glycolic or lactic acids and niacinamide, which helps boost the barrier function."
Shop Niacinamide Products
This hydrating serum is truly exceptional. Far more than just your standard moisturising skin-plumper, it's formulated with pore-refining, barrier-protecting niacinamide too. If it's healthy skin you're after, this stuff is up to the job.
This toner is a good option for those who are reluctant to use stronger acids. With witch hazel and salicylic acid, it helps to fight congestion while niacinamide and soothing botanical hydrators keep your skin's moisture levels in check.
5. SPF, Always
I know you already know this one, but no skin expert in their right mind would disagree with the advice that SPF should be worn every single day, rain or shine. And that doesn't mean you should just use a foundation with SPF—I'm talking a broad-spectrum SPF product. Consultant dermatologist Emma Wedgeworth says, "In my opinion, sun exposure is the single most important modifiable risk factor for skin cancers and premature ageing."
With UV index in the UK relatively low for most of the year, it's tempting to skip SPF. However, the sun's UVA rays, which surpass clouds and windows, can wreak havoc on our skin's appearance. "Sunscreen/sunblock is arguably the most important to slow down the ageing process of skin. There are emerging theories that 90% of what we refer to as the 'natural ageing processes of skin' has nothing to do with natural processes but are really linked to sun damage. I recommend that all my patients use at least SPF 50 every day regardless of weather and whether or not they leave the house," says Dr. Nestor's Medical Cosmetic Centre founder Nestor Demosthenous, MBChB, MSc, BCs.
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Dermatologists love to recommend this SPF. It's lightweight, non-greasy and doesn't leave a white cast.
This high-protection SPF is so lightweight and such a joy to use that you'll be wanting to apply sunscreen every day.
6. Use Actives to Your Advantage
This is where social media skincare advice can do us dirty. "There is a lot of information on the internet discussing sensitivity when it comes to trialling a new product. It says if your skin reacts in any way then you should assume it is a serious reaction or allergy," says Ahmed El Muntasar, a GP and aesthetician.
Surprise, surprise—it's wrong. "When you introduce active ingredients like high-grade vitamin C or retinol into your routine, it's perfectly normal for skin to react. Your skin is an organ, and for it to dry out or get flushed during the first couple weeks of use is normal. Of course, you should consult your doctor if you're concerned, but these things don't automatically mean you're allergic to a product," he adds.
7. Give Your Eye Area Special Attention
Our eye area is often neglected when it comes to skincare routines. The skin around our eyes is more delicate than the rest of the face, so it's totally normal if you find yourself avoiding the area when you're doing your routine. However, just because it's a common grievance doesn't mean avoiding the eyes is recommended, especially when it comes to cleansing. "Don't sleep with eye makeup on," warns consultant oculoplastic and ophthalmic surgeon Elizabeth Hawkes, FRCOphth, MBBS, BSc. "In between our eyelashes are small glands (called meibomian glands) that secrete the outer layer of our tear film. If the glands become blocked with makeup, it can lead to a condition called blepharitis, which is an inflammatory condition of the eyelids."
Oh, and if you're concerned about fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes, you're going to want to stop avoiding the area when it comes to SPF application. "Eyelid skin is delicate and prone to the effects of ageing. It is also a high-risk area for skin cancer. It is therefore important to use SPF around the upper and lower eyelids," adds Hawkes.
Shop Eye-Friendly SPF
This cult SPF is specially formulated for sensitive skin, making it a great option for around the eyes. It's also fragrance-free and contains mineral blocks (as opposed to chemical ones) to help prevent any stinging.
8. Don't Forget Your Neck
You've likely heard this before, but it bears repeating. "Don't neglect the neck," says consultant plastic surgeon Tunc Tiryaki. Similar to the skin around our eyes, the skin on the neck is thinner than the skin the face, meaning it requires special attention if you want to keep it looking healthy. "I see patients who follow a stringent skincare routine on their face but neglect their neck. This presents a visible difference in skin quality between neck and face, which is further accentuated when patients have injectable treatments, such as Botox," he adds.
His advice is simple. Just follow the exact same skincare routine for your neck as you do on your face—every single day.
9. Focus on Your Diet and Lifestyle
While the skincare products we use and the ways in which we use them are of vital importance when it comes to the health of our skin, many experts we spoke to were keen to highlight that skin health doesn't depend entirely on a regimen. "It's about managing your internal and external environment, which means sun protection and nourishing your body with foods that [help skin] from the inside out," says Cadogan Clinic plastic surgeon Steve Cohen. "Diets heavy in antioxidant-rich fruits and green, leafy vegetables can positively affect your skin health," he adds.
And while experts want you to know that drinking litres of water a day isn't going to miraculously cure your skin woes, they do also want to drum home the importance of keeping hydrated. "When we're dehydrated, our complexion can appear dull, fine lines and wrinkles become more visible, and skin may also feel tight and uncomfortable," says IV Boost UK Medical Director Joshua Berkowitz.
Most importantly, you should find a balance between skincare and lifestyle choices through adapting your products to your lifestyle. "Your lifestyle choices contribute to skin ageing, so make sure your skincare complements them," says facialist Fiona Brackenbury. The key is to think about what you're putting your skin through and how best to treat it. "If you live in a city, make sure you have pollution protection [through antioxidants and SPF]. If you exercise heavily, make sure you replace that lost hydration. If you work under constant air conditioning, strengthen your skin barrier to limit water loss and stress in the skin," she advises.
Shop Barrier Balms
Brackenbury recommends using this balm on particularly dry areas of skin to help heal the skin barrier and lock in hydration.
Another barrier protector recommended by Brackenbury, this simple but effective balm can be applied to areas prone to irritation and dryness, such as elbows and around the nose, eyes and lips.
Next up, our beauty-ed group chat gets heated when we talk about the expensive buys.
Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.