Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It reflects your health and your biological age. It can be silky soft and smooth, or uncomfortably tight, itchy, flaky or sunburned, depending on how well you take care of it. In order to put your best face forward, we asked top skin care experts in the area how to best prepare our skin for spring and summer.
CHARLES E. CRUTCHFIELD III, M.D.
Clinical Professor of Dermatology – University of Minnesota Medical School and Medical Director of Crutchfield Dermatology
• www.CrutchfieldDermatology.com
Q. What, in your opinion, is the “Fountain of Youth” when it comes to skin care?
A. Over the last several years there have been many new and effective treatments developed to rejuvenate your skin. I like to take a synergistic approach, using many little things to make a big difference. My goal is not to make patients look different than their age, but to make patients look great for their age. When it comes to rejuvenation of the face, we use a combination of things that we call the liquid facelift. This involves using filling agents like Selphyl, Restylane, Juvéderm, Perlane, and other products—such as Dysport and Botox—to relax dynamic lines of the face. Oftentimes we will combine these treatments with light alpha-hydroxy acid peels, laser treatments, and phototherapy treatments to even out red and dark spots.
The Expert’s Product Picks:
Gentle cleansers:
• Dove
• Vanicream cleansing bars
Moisturizers:
• CeraVe lotions and creams
For protection:
• Vanicream broad-spectrum sunscreen
• MelaShade UVA protection sunscreen
(Use both products together. Place the MelaShade UVA Protection on top)
Additional protection:
• NeoStrata alpha-hydroxy acid skin active skin care program
JEREMY W. COOK, MD
Dermatology Consultants, Woodbury Office
• www.DermatologyConsultants.com
Q. With spring and summer rapidly approaching, what general advice would you give our readers regarding their skin care routine?
A. Spring is the perfect time to re-evaluate your sun protection practices. Using a daily moisturizer or cosmetic product with built-in sunscreen is a great way to start your summer skin care routine. Outside of sun protection, the heat and perspiration that come with summer can exacerbate a number of skin problems, including acne and eczema. A good cleansing and moisturizing regimen can help refresh the skin during even the hottest summer days.
The Expert’s Product Picks:
Daily moisturizer with sunscreen:
• CeraVe facial moisturizing lotion.
Cleansers:
• CeraVe’s hydrating cleanser
• Cetaphil cleanser
Sunscreen:
• EltaMD UV Clear
• SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense
FATIMA OLIVE
Makeup and Hair Artist, Beauty Expert, Style Blogger on Minnesota Monthly’s TC Style Blog • www.mnmo.com/tcstyle
Q. With spring and summer rapidly approaching, what general advice would you give our readers regarding their skincare routine?
A. As the temperature warms up, and our skin is more exposed to the environment, it is important to reevaluate our routines and adjust accordingly. For example, using a lighter textured moisturizer, or even an oil-free moisturizer for more oily skin. I like to incorporate more exfoliation into my overall skin care between seasons to rid myself of dead skin cells allowing my moisturizer to work more efficiently. I also add more sun protection, for face and body. With makeup I generally recommend a tinted moisturizer with SPF or a BB cream that offers SPF, coverage, and additional skin care benefits.
The Expert’s Product Picks:
• Fresh Sugar Lip Polish (gently buffs the lips removing dry flakes)
• Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm
