Hello again! My name is Dr. Ryan and I am so happy that it’s finally Friday! Not only am I excited for the weekend, but I’m also excited that it’s finally time for another weekly mailbag. Every Friday I answer two questions from customers who need my advice on their skincare. My first question this week comes from Mariana in Boise, ID.
Q: Hi Dr. Shelton! I’ve been looking for a new moisturizer and I was wondering if it’s ok to get one with SPF in it. I’ve heard mixed reviews so I wanted to ask what your opinion was.
A: Hi Mariana! This is a great question, and the answer might surprise you. My honest opinion is that a moisturizer without SPF is generally better. Let me tell you why that is…
Before I get into the reasons behind it, I will say that a moisturizer with SPF is better than no SPF at all.
In my professional opinion, though, it’s better to use your SPF separately from your moisturizer.
That’s because adding SPF to a moisturizer can dilute the effectiveness of the sun protection you get.
Simply put, that means that the level of SPF in a moisturizer isn’t as strong as if you just apply it on top of everything at the end of your routine.
On top of that, it’s better to have a moisturizer that is geared towards helping reverse signs of aging instead of protecting your skin from the sun.
For example, my Repair and Release cream doesn’t have any SPF in it because it focuses purely on helping smooth out the skin and helps decrease the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
And since it’s generally recommended to re-apply your SPF throughout the day, you can save a ton of money if you have a separate sunscreen product, otherwise, you could end up finishing your moisturizer too quickly!
Having a separate SPF product may add an extra step to your routine, but those extra two minutes could help you keep your skin protected from wrinkles, dark spots and other signs of aging.
Not to mention, the sun’s rays can have some serious consequences like skin cancer, so it’s better to get as much coverage as you can!
My next question comes from Samantha in Lawrence, KS
Q: Hi Dr. Ryan, I’m getting really frustrated with my skin right now because it feels so bumpy all the time. It’s not dry, it just feels like I have little bumps everywhere, especially on my nose. How can I fix this?
A: Hi Samantha! I’m sorry to hear you’re having some trouble with the texture of your skin right now. I know exactly how you feel and know first-hand how frustrating it can be. Luckily I have some great suggestions for you!
A lot of the time a good exfoliation can do the trick of removing any texture and bumps in your complexion.
Having said that, not every exfoliant is going to give you long-term results.
For example, scrubs can do a great job at exfoliating the top layer of your skin, but they don’t go any deeper than that.
That means that you may notice a positive change in the texture of your skin for a day or two, but after that, those little bumps will come right back.
What’s more, is that they might not be able to take away all of the texture you’re struggling with.
Sure, they’ll make your skin a lot smoother, but you still might notice some bumps hanging around after you rinse the scrub off.
Instead, I’d suggest using chemical exfoliants like Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids.
These ingredients are great because they work on a deeper level in your skin, helping to create a long-lasting effect that scrubs just aren’t able to do.
Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids are quite common. In fact, you can find them in my Lavender Oil Cleanser!
Since they exfoliate on a deeper level, they’re also great for helping reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines!
On top of that, if you use them daily in your routine they can help you notice a smoother and softer appearance in just a few days.
I have personally had amazing results from these chemical exfoliants, and so many of my customers have told me how smooth their skin is after using them.
I have no doubt they’ll solve your problem, so give them a try!
