Bad Skin Habits: Picking the Wrong Products

Bad Skin Habits: Picking the Wrong Products

Using stuff that's wrong for your skin type is a hugely common mistake, says Miami dermatologist Leslie Baumann, author of The Skin Type Solution (Bantam). Here's what you should know:

OILY SKIN: Choose a cleanser with salicylic acid, such as Bioré Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser. Fight shine with an oil-free lotion, such as Vichy Laboratoires NormaDerm Pro Mat Oil-Free Lotion SPF 15, followed by a mattifying serum that contains aluminum silica, such as Smashbox Anti-Shine Anti-Brilliance. Rub on a chemical exfoliant such as glycolic acid once a week. Try Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel.

SENSITIVE SKIN: Wash with a milky cleanser such as Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. Use a fragrance-free, nonirritating sunscreen such as Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion SPF 15 Sensitive Skin. Look for anti-aging creams with added hydrators such as hyaluronic acid and shea butter, like Replenix Serum CF and Estée Lauder Time Zone Line and Wrinkle Reducing Creme SPF 15.

COMBINATION SKIN: Choose a foaming cleanser for oily skin. Use a lightweight moisturizer, like H20+ Face Oasis Plus Hydrating Fluid SPF 15, but dab a thicker one, like Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Cream, on dry spots.

DRY SKIN: Nonsoap creamy cleansers, like Eucerin Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, don't strip away protective oils. A moisturizer with trehalose, such as Shiseido The Skincare Day Moisture Protection SPF 15 or Clinique Superdefense Triple Action Moisturizer SPF 25 for Dry/ Combination Skin, will prevent tightness. Apply an anti-aging treatment with retinol every other day (daily use could aggravate dryness). Or switch to a cream with kinetin or the Matrixyl—they're less drying than retinoids.

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