Eat your vegetables. Always wear clean underwear. Say “please” and “thank you.”
Nobody gives advice quite like mom. So this Mother’s Day, a few of our expert doctors — who also happen to be moms — are giving out their best advice from moms to moms on how to take care of yourself even when you’re short on time and long on things to do.
Here are some go-to skin care tips for moms who have limited time but want to maintain (or regain) your youthful appearance.
Combine Your Products
As the mom of three young children, Dr. Alma Criseida Berlingeri-Ramos, a board-certified dermatologist and a dermatopathologist at U.S. Dermatology Partners Tyler on Beckham and U.S. Dermatology Partners Tyler on Dominion Plaza is a big fan of keeping it simple.
“Whenever I can, I use mixed products in one to reduce the steps,” she says. Her favorite tip is to use a tinted moisturizer with SPF; the EltaMD brand is her favorite.
“And no matter how busy my day has been or how tired I am, I always remove my makeup before going to bed,” she says. “Then apply a product with tretinoin, which will vary in strength depending on your individual skin sensitivity.”
She also recommends Botox every four to six months: “It’s a great way to reduce lines and make me look and feel more refreshed and youthful.”
Protect Your Skin
With a new baby and a toddler in the house, Dr. Laura Lester, a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained dermatopathologist at U.S. Dermatology Partners Cedar Park has very little time for self-care. But, she points out, there is always time for sunscreen.
“As a new mom, about all I can consistently fit into my routine right now is to wear sunscreen every day,” she says. “I love being outside playing with my toddler and taking walks with my baby — but that means I am getting sun exposure, which can lead to dark spots and wrinkles.”
She recommends shopping for products with an SPF of 30 or higher and buying only broad-spectrum sunscreens.
Remember the Retin-A
Dr. Kathryn “Celeste” Durham, a board-certified dermatologist at U.S. Dermatology Partners South Hulen in Fort Worth, Texas, is a big fan of sunscreen, too — but she recommends giving it a little boost.
“If you combine Retin-A and sunscreen faithfully, you’ll be working to stimulate healthy collagen production and protecting your skin from sun rays, which can age the skin,” she says. “These are the foundations for good skin.”
If you have an extra 20 seconds to spare, apply a serum that contains vitamin C before you rush out the door for the day.
“This helps to protect against free radicals encountered during the day.”
Start With a Fantastic Foundation
Beginning the day with the right foundation is the key to great skin, according to Dr. Rhea Phillips, a board-certified dermatologist at U.S. Dermatology Partners Dallas Presbyterian in Dallas, Texas.
“One of the products I love most is Rénergie Lift Foundation by Lancôme,” she says. “It has a tint and foundation, a moisturizer, and SPF all in one product, so it is literally a one-step process to get ready in the morning. It has amazing coverage and lasts all day.”
That means she’s getting the sun protection as well as the moisturizer she needs all day long; all she has to do after putting on this foundation is brush her teeth, apply her lipstick and walk out the door.
“It’s fast and beautiful,” she says.
Three Quick Tips for Better Skin
Two children under the age of two makes for a busy life for Dr. Weilan Johnson, a board-certified dermatologist. Add in juggling her schedule at two practices — at U.S. Dermatology Partners Georgetown and U.S. Dermatology Partners Cedar Park — and you’ll understand why she opts for a fast and efficient morning routine.
“Sunscreen every morning, a topical retinoid and a moisturizer once or twice daily, depending on how my skin feels that day,” is what she depends on to keep her skin looking and feeling great.
Take Five Minutes to Refresh
What busy mom has time for regular facials? Certainly not Dr. Jessica Dorsey, a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, who can be found at U.S. Dermatology Partners Cedar Park, U.S. Dermatology Partners Belton, and U.S. Dermatology Partners Spicewood Springs. Instead, she opts for quick, on-the-go treatments she can do at home.
“I really like the NeoStrata peel pads for weekly use; it’s like a quick mini-facial at home and you only do it once a week, so it’s not very time-consuming,” she says. Another favorite is the anti-puff roller ball gel from SkinBetter Science, which she says is fantastic for those tired eyes.
“And my all-time favorite moisturizer is the Vital C hydrating intense moisturizer,” she says. “It has hyaluronic acid to help restore youthful skin, and vitamin C is a nice antioxidant to treat UV-induced photodamage.”
This Mother Knows Best
Finally, says Dr. Amy McClung, a board-certified dermatologist at U.S. Dermatology Partners Brodie Lane in Austin, Texas, remember to take time for yourself.
“Although moms can be selfless, when it comes to the skin, make sure you cover the basics, with sun protection and hydrations such as moisturizing. And take time out for those annual skin cancer screenings,” she says. “I hear moms talk about how it is difficult to find time for skin checks or keep up with a skin care regimen, but nothing is as important as preventative care!”
And, she adds, when you need a boost or refresher, treatments like Botox, fillers, lasers, and peels can be a nice addition to your regimen.
Looking to Visit a Dermatologist?
Taking good care of your skin is a gift you can give yourself today that will last for the rest of your life. We have multiple locations throughout the country, so fill out our simple online form to get in touch with us. One of our local team members will reach out to you shortly to answer your questions or schedule an appointment for you to visit us soon.
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