Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano

Sensible Skin Care for Men & Women

Everyone likes to put their best face forward. But with thousands of skin care products out there, how do you know which ones work—and which ones you really need? We asked Christy Riddle, M.D., dermatologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano for advice.

Dr. Riddle says that an effective skin care regimen doesn’t have to be complicated: Use sunscreen, moisturizer if your skin is on the dry side, and a gentle skin cleanser. Now let’s address some additional skin care concerns of men and women.

For Him

Shaving is about as close as most men come to an actual skin care routine. “It can be hard to get men to use products, because they often dislike certain fragrances and having a ‘greasy’ feeling on their face,” Dr. Riddle says. “But adding just one product to their shaving routine can really make a difference.”

That product? A good lotion to apply to the skin after shaving, instead of aftershave. She advises men to go to the pharmacy or grocery store and find a face lotion that feels and smells good to them, and that has an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or 30. “There’s no real reason why a man has to use aftershave,” he says. “A lotion works just fine and has the added benefit of sunscreen.” Hooked on aftershave? Go ahead and apply it after shaving, then follow with the lotion.

There is no “magic formula” for shaving cream or gel. “Pick the one you prefer. If you get irritation from shaving, try not to shave as closely, or switch to an electric razor,” Dr. Riddle says.

For Her

Makeup is where women move above and beyond the basic skin care regimen. Again, there’s a plethora of makeup products, so how do you choose?

“In general, all widely available makeup products in the U.S. are safe. We recommend choosing a foundation that is oil free and noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores,” Dr. Riddle says. She says to avoid products containing herbal or botanical extracts, which can cause skin allergies. Sunscreen in your foundation is an added bonus. And always remove your makeup before you go to bed.

Dr. Riddle often sees rosacea and adult acne in women. Using a gentle skin cleanser and daily moisturizer can help; if skin is not overly sensitive, try an over-the-counter acne medication containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Toners and astringents are only indicated for excessively oily skin, she says, and if you use soap, stick to moisturizing varieties, since deodorant soaps are extremely drying.

Another tip from Dr. Riddle: “Plain petroleum jelly is a terrific moisturizer, and it’s available at a fraction of the cost of other products.”

Aging Gracefully

OK, those are the basics. Now, if you’re concerned about wrinkles, forget those exotic—not to mention expensive—concoctions at department stores.

“If you like the smell or texture of a certain product, or if you like the way the package looks, by all means spend your money,” Dr. Riddle says. But any non-prescription product’s “anti-aging” claim is really just hype—no matter how expensive it is.

“The only products that have been proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles are topical retinoids that contain Retin-A^® (tretinoin), and those are available only by prescription.”

For a referral to a dermatologist on the medical staff at Baylor Plano, call 1.800.4BAYLOR.