NYC dermatologist’s Daily Skincare Routine For Every Skin Type And Age

In this blog, top NYC dermatologist and skin of color skincare product guru, Dr. Adebola Dele-Michael, M.D., provides a daily skincare routine for every skin type using her expertise in the field of dermatology and her in-depth understanding of different ethnicities' skin types! She put together these guidelines along with her best product picks to help you achieve healthy, glowing skin that is easy to maintain using skincare products that are free of irritants.

With so many products out there and even more brands emerging daily, it can be difficult to know exactly which skincare products are best suited to your needs. This guide outlines the very best skincare products in each skin category (normal skin, oily skin, dry skin) that will give you fabulous results time after time.

Dr. Dele-Michael recommends that the foundation of one’s skincare regimen include a cleanser, a toner, a day moisturizer (with SPF) and a night moisturizer (a creamier, richer one). For people with more specific needs, consider adding extra à la carte single ingredient skincare product options as needed for better outcomes. For examples, add Hyaluronic acid serum or cream to improve skin hydration or retinol to correct fine lines and wrinkles.

Balanced Skin

So, what is a balanced skin? Well, let me start by saying that no one has perfectly normal or "balanced" skin. However, if your skin is not particularly oily, dry; and you aren't too concerned about aging, acne or skin sensitivity- then congratulations! You have what we consider to be “balanced” skin.

Balanced Skin Routine

Cleanser (Morning/Night): A perfectly balanced sulfate-free cleanser with a luxurious, creamy lather, like adm Tender Cleanser ($38) or adm Regenerating cleanser ($38) is meant to cleanse your skin without altering the skin's natural barrier or stripping it of its essential natural oils. The formula(s) comfort and hydrate the skin while promoting healthy skin cell turnover. Safe, soothing and effective for all, including sensitive skin!

Toner (Morning/Night): Avoid skin drying ingredients such as SD alcohol 40, denatured alcohol, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. Try Isdin 4-in-1 Micellar Solution ($33) for a boost of calming hydration.

Antioxidant Serum (Morning/Night): Use an antioxidant serum such as adm Youth Restoring Serum ($65) formulated with rejuvenating ingredients like Vitamin C, Ferulic acid and Green Tea extract to deliver extraordinary protection against free radicals and other environmental stressors that can prematurely age the skin. It also helps to reduce skin pigmentation and brighten the skin.

Moisturizer (Day): Use a light moisturizer that won’t clog your pores such as adm Perfect Indulgence Creme ($60). Focus on the face, neck and the back of your hands when you moisturize. Look for ingredients like dimethicone (a silicone that is gentle to sensitive skins), panthenol (aka provitamin B5) or sodium hyaluronate - aka HA which has been known as a 'fountain-of-youth' ingredient due to its ability to plump up aging cells in our skin tissues by drawing water into them).

Sunscreen: Try adm Radiance Sheer Physical Sunscreen SPF 50+, formulated with anti-aging antioxidants such as green tea, resveratrol, vitamin C and Co-Q10. It offers the best physical sun protection, so your skin stays healthy. The formula is lightweight, residue-free, nanoparticles-free and it uses the latest technology in micronized zinc oxide so it goes on sheer.

Retinol Treatment (Night): incorporate adm Triple Therapy retinol cream into your regimen and gradually increase to five nights a week application. "I prefer retinol creams over serums and gels because if used correctly, they are less irritating to the skin," Dr. Dele-Michael says.

Moisturizer (Night): Use a creamier moisturizer, sans SPF, meant to nourish your skin while you sleep. Try adm Revive And Repair Anti-Aging Night Crème ($60).

Dry Skin

Dry Skin is quite common in today's society. How do you know if your skin is dry? Well, it probably feels tight and uncomfortable or it might feel flaky or crusty. The best skincare routine typically consists of products that keep the skin hydrated and prevent it from cracking, which allows allergens and irritants to get inside more easily!

Dry Skin Routine

Cleanser (Morning/Night): The best way to cleanse your skin is with a perfectly balanced, sulfate-free cleanser with a luxurious, creamy lather, like adm Tender Cleanser ($38). The formula cleanses your skin without altering the skin's natural barrier or stripping it of its essential natural oils. Leaving even the most sensitive skin hydrated, soothes and ready to receive the rest of the skincare products.

Toner (Morning/Night): Avoid skin drying ingredients such as SD alcohol 40, denatured alcohol, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. Try Isdin 4-in-1 Micellar Solution ($33) for a boost of calming hydration.

Antioxidant Serum (Morning/Night): Use an antioxidant serum such as adm Perfect Indulgence Protecting Serum ($60) formulated with a proprietary blend of hydrating and calming ingredients such as Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Ferulic Acid, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate to deliver extraordinary hydration and comfort.

Moisturizer (Day): Use a light moisturizer that won’t clog your pores such as adm Hydra-Drench ($55). Focus on the face, neck and the back of your hands when you moisturize. Look for ingredients like dimethicone (a silicone that is gentle to sensitive skin) and panthenol (aka provitamin B5) which seal water into the skin or sodium hyaluronate (aka Hyaluronic Acid) which draws water into the skin.

Sunscreen: Try adm Radiance Sheer Physical Sunscreen Cream SPF 50+, formulated with anti-aging antioxidants such as green tea, resveratrol, vitamin C and Co-Q10. It offers the best physical sun protection, so your skin stays healthy. The formula is lightweight, residue-free, nanoparticles-free and it uses the latest technology in micronized zinc oxide so it goes on sheer.

Moisturizer (Night): Use a creamier moisturizer, sans SPF, meant to nourish your skin while you sleep. Try adm Revive and Repair Anti-Aging Night Crème ($60).

Oily Skin

It may be tempting to skip moisturizers for oily skin, but your skin might get oilier when it’s dehydrated, by overcompensating. “Oily skin has high oil gland activity and a higher sebum content due to the excess oils produced by the oil glands," says Dr. Dele- Michael." This may either be genetic or because you are using the wrong types of skincare products which aggravate this condition. The goal then is essentially twofold – first, controlling the oil gland activity and second, removing excess oils without drying out the skin.

Oily Skin Routine

Cleanser (Morning/Night): The best way to cleanse your skin is with a perfectly balanced, sulfate-free cleanser with a foamy lather, like adm Purifying Cleanser ($38). The non-drying formula removes excess skin oil, purifies, soothes, reduces skin redness and decongests the clogged pores that cause acne. Skin is left completely clean with tight pores.

Toner (Morning/Night): Avoid skin drying ingredients such as SD alcohol 40, denatured alcohol, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. Try Isdin 4-in-1 Micellar Solution ($33) for a boost of calming hydration.

Antioxidant Serum (Morning/Night): Use an antioxidant serum such as adm Intuitive Brightening & Correcting serum ($60) formulated with a proprietary blend of calming and brightening ingredients such as Lactic acid, Niacinamide, Azelaic acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate to deliver extraordinarily gentle anti-acne and pigment reducing benefits.

Moisturizer (Day): Use a light moisturizer that won’t clog your pores such as adm Hydra-Drench ($55). Focus on the face, neck and the back of your hands when you moisturize. Look for ingredients like dimethicone (a silicone that is gentle to sensitive skin) and panthenol (aka provitamin B5) which seal water into the skin or sodium hyaluronate (aka Hyaluronic Acid) which draws water into the skin.

Sunscreen: Try adm Sheer Physical Sunscreen Cream SPF 50+, formulated with anti-aging antioxidants such as green tea, resveratrol, vitamin C and Co-Q10. It offers the best physical sun protection, so your skin stays healthy. The formula is lightweight, residue-free, nanoparticles-free and it uses the latest technology in micronized zinc oxide so it goes on sheer. Zinc also reduces the activity of the oil producing glands.

Retinol Treatment (Night): incorporate adm Triple Therapy retinol cream into your regimen and gradually increase to five nights a week application. "I prefer retinol creams over serums and gels because if used correctly, they are less irritating to the skin," Dr. Dele-Michael says.