The best are below.
No irritation after 24 hours?
Always choose one with an SPF of at least 15.
Riccardo Tinelli
The last seals in moisture for soft skin (another reason to use sunscreen!
).Expert tipConsistently use it.
“UV rays sap moisture from your skin,” Dr. Graf says.
“So skipping sunscreen can contribute to a dry complexion.
They also go on with a residue-free layer of protection.Expert tipUsing a spray?
(Sunscreenpenetrates, so can be irritating.
Routinely use a cleanser and you’ll be rewarded with vibrant, healthy skin.
Best betA cream cleanser or cold creamReason it worksBoth preserve skin’s natural oils.
)Expert tipBe a label reader, as even washes “made for sensitive skin” may contain irritants.
The best part: The product does all the hard work while you drift off to dreamland.
Serums quench better than lotions.Expert tipRetinol has about one tenth the vitamin A of an Rx retinoid.
This gel requires a prescription and can be covered by insurance.
(The just-right test: Skin should be dry within a minute of app.
)Skin pickRenova 0.02%.
This cream, available with an Rx, is usually not covered by insurance.
At home, weeklyTwice a week, apply an at-home mask containing clay or mud, which absorbs oil.
Four monthly 20-minute treatments ($500 each) are needed.
Stay tuned: An at-home version may be on its way.
Adding a chemical peel (about $150) can speed things up; fresh skin diminishes spots.
The big guns: pigment-specific lasers (about $400 per session; three are needed).
At home, weeklySoften creases with an at-home chemical peel or microdermabrasion system twice a week.
For more energized skin instantly, try pro-microdermabrasion, says Grace H. Pak, M.D., of NYC.
The gentlest choice: the SilkPeel.
It exfoliates and infuses skin with moisturizing hyaluronic acid to block potential irritation.
But these issues need TLC:
PuffinessSleep on two pillows to prevent fluids from pooling under the eyes.
An antihistamine can help depuff, plus stop sniffles.
Or choose formulas with lighter textures (gels and serums work well).
Dark circlesBelieve it or not, moisturizer is the answer to lightening shadows.
“Circles appear darker when skin is dehydrated,” Dr. Hirsch says.
Look for a cream with light but effective hyaluronic acid.
