I have had a number of my friends, patients and colleagues ask me what my favorite skin products are so I decided to go over my five favorite. There so many products to choose from that I can understand how confusing it can get when trying to figure out what to buy for your skincare. I can tell you for a fact that the majority of the products sold at major department stores are useless as I have tried them myself in the past. They smell great, but don’t really accomplish much.
If you are not ready for any non-invasive procedures yet, these are some wonderful products that can help delay the aging process. Each of these products that I have chosen are medical grade, have anti-aging affects, and can not be bought over the counter. In addition, I use these products myself.
#1 Product
If you are like me, you like to keep things simple so this is as simple as it gets. Every night and day after I wash my face, I apply my favorite medical grade serum called TNS Essential Serum by Skinmedica. Why is this serum great? It has over 100 growth factors to stimulate collagen production- the wonderful component of our skin that keeps everything tight/lifted and prevents wrinkles. It also contains seven anti-oxidants which prevents damage to the collagen that is already there.
#2 Product
I have dark circles and some fine lines around my eyes so I always use an eye cream twice a day under my makeup. I have tried many eye creams in my lifetime and my favorite is Skinmedica’s TNS Eye Repair. This fountain of youth of an eye cream has several peptides to promote collagen production, antioxidants and ingredients to brighten your eyes. Even if you don’t have fine lines or dark circles, this is a wonderful cream that prevents the aging process due to it’s peptides, antioxidants, and it is very moisturizing!
#3 Product
I love this new medical grade product called Intellishade by Revision. This product is so practical as it is an all in one moisturizer, anti-aging cream, sunscreen, and it is tinted so it provides some coverage and can be reapplied easily during the summer. (Remember you should be reapplying your sunscreen every 3-4 hrs. when you are out in the summer) This is what I use on a day to day basis on top of my TNS serum. Intellishade was also recently given a beauty choice award by New Beauty!
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#4 Product
If you want just a sunscreen and/or have sensitive skin thenSkinmedica’s broad spectrum Suncreen SPF 30 is excellent! It is very light and PABA free. I have patients who come to me just to purchase this sunscreen.
#5 Product
Lastly, Skinmedica’s Lytera is a wonderful product that has replaced the prescription Hydorquinone 4% cream that was used by dermatologists to treat suns spots. Lytera is excellent for treating sun damage/sun spots/age spots, hyperpigmentation or melasma. Unlike Hydroquione, which is toxic to the body after a month, Lytera is very safe and can be used long term. What I love about this product is that not only does it brighten and lighten your skin, but it can be used during the summer at night time to prevent further sun damage. Doing laser procedures such as fraxel or chemical peels for sun damage is difficult in the summer due to exposure to the sun, so unless you are fine staying indoors and not having a life during the summer, Lytera is a great substitute.
My friends, patients and family often tell me I look ten years younger than my actual age. I say five of those ten years is due to good self-care including several of the above products, and the other five is my attitude! I love getting wiser as I get older, but I choose not to have the fine lines, sagging skin, and sun damage! Life is truly about choices…what choices will you make for your skin care today?
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About the Author:
Dr. Sunanda Chugh is the Founder and Medical Director of Anand Medical Spa and has been practicing in NYC since 2004. She is a graduate of Cornell University and has completed her training at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital/Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Chugh has worked and trained with top Plastic Surgeons and Dermatologists in NYC. Her special interest on the effect of the aging process on the face and body inspired her to specialize in Aesthetic Medicine.