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4 easy steps to transform your skin in 2025, according to a dermatologist
Finding the ideal anti-aging skin care regimen at any age is more simple — and affordable — than you'd think.
Of all the many questions I'm asked as a beauty editor, the most common by far is: "What's the best skin care routine?" Since no one wants to shell out cash for expensive, annoying-to-use products and few of us have the time — or the patience— for a complex 10+ step Korean skin care plan (double cleansing, come on!), I always answer this question the same way: Keep it simple. As it turns out, most dermatologists agree with my philosophy.
A quality retinoid
Differin Gel Retinoid Treatment for Face
A deeply-hydrating moisturizer
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
A skin-brightening serum
The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum
A dermatologist-recommended sunscreen
EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46
A gentle (yet potent!) exfoliator
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting Exfoliate
"When it comes to good skin care habits at any age, it’s important to just nail down the basics," says Dr. Melanie Palm, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at San Diego's Art of Skin MD. "This means having a quality cleanser, a retinoid product, a serum with active ingredients that address your skin needs, a moisturizer to help seal in hydration and protect your skin barrier and a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Thanks to product innovations in the skin-care industry, all of these products are easily accessible at all price points — and there are a lot of super effective, derm-tested options at the drug store level."
Depending on your skin type, Palm advocates for the use of serums with active ingredients like vitamin C (an antioxidant that protects your skin from free radicals and results in brightening effects) or niacinamide (a form of vitamin B-3 that supports the skin barrier and reduces inflammation). "I always recommend incorporating one new active ingredient at a time to ensure you’re giving your skin time to acclimate," she says. "This method also prevents you from compromising your skin barrier."
And, if you're over the age of 40, she suggests one additional step: "While there's no one-size-fits-all advice, generally I find that mature skin can benefit from regular gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, brighten the complexion and prepare the skin to better absorb skin care products. I recommend chemical exfoliation — which is a method of removing dead skin with chemical exfoliants, such as glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid — over physical exfoliation like scrubs or abrasive towels to shed the top layers of the skin."
For those keeping score at home, the easiest way to transform your skin goes something like this:
Morning:
Cleanse
Apply serum
Moisturize
Sunscreen
Evening:
Cleanse
Exfoliate
Apply retinoid
Moisturize
If a 4-step routine still seems too complicated, Palm says there's one single, absolute, anti-aging must-have: "Wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher daily is a non-negotiable for me. If you aren’t protecting your skin from UV damage, all your best efforts — skin care, diet, lasers, injectables — are going down the drain. For really sunny days, I like to double up and wear UPF clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves or driving gloves while I’m in the car."
Read on for Palm's specific product recommendations and remember: When it comes to finding the ideal skin care regimen at any age, the best products for you are those you can both afford and you'll actually, consistently use.
"Differin's adapalene gel is the first prescription strength retinoid that is now available over the counter for just $13," explains Palm. "It’s an effective and budget-friendly way to incorporate retinoids into your routine."
In terms of a high-quality moisturizer, it doesn't get much better than this silky, versatile lotion from CeraVe which works for both face and body and is good for all skin types
"CeraVe contains ceramide-3 alongside other moisturizers to repair the skin barrier — it's a great line," says Palm.
Palm recommends adding an active ingredient serum to your routine and this potent-yet-gentle vitamin C formula is the ideal affordable, high-quality place to start. It's specially designed to brighten skin tone, regenerate dull cells and improve skin elasticity without being harsh or irritating to sensitive types.
This standout mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide has been recommended by most every dermatologist I've ever interviewed. It's exceptionally good for dry, sensitive or mature skin and is packed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid to keep your face looking dewy. Of note: EltaMD's Clear Face is both a mineral and chemical SPF, so the texture feels smooth going on and it is absorbed fast leaving behind zero white cast. It's also noncomedogenic and fragrance- and oil-free.
For those over 40 or with, ahem, mature skin, Palm recommends adding a gentle chemical exfoliator to your nightly skin care lineup. This one, by trusted brand Paula's Choice, is a mainstay for a reason: It's formulated with beta hydroxy acid (BHA) to penetrate, adhere to and clear out dead skin cells, dirt and grease. It even goes a few steps further by substantially softening skin, evening rough texture and leaving behind a fresh, dewy glow.
I myself — along with tens of thousands of five-star Amazon reviewers — rely on it for clear skin. As you can see in my review from earlier this month, this magical exfoliating liquid even shrunk my enlarged pores.
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