A Derm's Guide to Simplifying Your Skin-Care Routine Without Sacrificing Results

Elle

2 days ago

The more work you put into something, the better the outcome, right? Actually, it's not always so when it comes to your skin-care routine. While there's nothing wrong with using double digits' worth of products if you really want to, you can achieve results with much less time, effort, and counter real estate, according to Dr. Hadley King, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. It's all about identifying your main skin goals, and then choosing products with formulas that work harder for your needs.
'Skin minimalism doesn't mean that you're choosing just one ingredient to use, or a single skin concern to focus on,' Dr. King says. 'Well-formulated products smartly incorporate multiple ingredients in one—so you don't need to use 10 products to reap major benefits.'
Here, the derm shares her top tips for building an efficient, results-driven routine, as well as why Rodan + Fields is her recommended brand to do it with.
Take the guesswork out of the equation. Dr. King is a fan of Rodan + Fields because the female-founded brand offers dermatologist-developed regimens created for different skin concerns, each with three to four complete steps. 'So much thought has been put into the ingredient combinations in each formula, and the products are engineered to work together,' she says. The options include Redefine, an anti-aging system that lifts, firms, and visibly minimizes the appearance of lines; Unblemish, which works to clear and prevent breakouts as well as to visibly minimize the look of pores and fine lines; and Reverse, designed to target discoloration and dark spots at every step.
If you're struggling with where in your routine you can downsize, Dr. King suggests wiping the slate clean and going back to the essentials. 'The basics are always going to be a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer, and SPF that all support the skin barrier,' she says. This simple combination is key in addressing so many skin concerns, from dehydration and sensitivity to signs of aging and skin-cancer prevention.
This step is where your skin's unique needs really take center stage. Once you've built a solid base, consider your most pressing concerns—acne, wrinkles, dullness—and then look for a treatment product with active ingredients that are proven to target them, such as a concentrated serum.
To effectively tackle adult acne, for example, Dr. King recommends Rodan + Fields Unblemish Dual Intensive Acne Treatment, which you can purchase solo or as part of the Unblemish Regimen. 'As you get older, you need to be cautious to choose acne products your skin can tolerate,' she says, noting that harsh formulas that work on teen skin can be too irritating for adults. In addition to 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide to clear and prevent blemishes, the multitasking Unblemish treatment also contains pomegranate and chamomile extracts to calm redness, and ceramides to condition, hydrate, and visibly plump.
Or to target multiple signs of aging in one step, look for a serum with proven ingredients that firm, boost cell turnover, hydrate, and defend against the environmental aggressors that cause these concerns—like Rodan + Fields Total RF Serum. It features the brand's patented RF TriEnergy Complex, which revitalizes compromised skin cells for a more youthful appearance, and also works to address uneven tone and texture, dullness, dry skin, and enlarged pores.