Skincare should be simple, but with the amount of product suggestions flooding our TikTok and Instagram feeds, it gets really complicated really fast. So when it comes to simplifying things, it can be helpful to turn to the professionals.
Board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare, Dr. Ellen Marmur, MD, works with famous faces all over the world, so we thought it was only appropriate to ask this celebrity derm what she never does when it comes to achieving healthy, glowing skin and most importantly, what she never, ever does to her own skin.
Keep reading for her sage skincare advice.
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Related:The One Thing Dermatologists Say You Should Never, Ever Do
The One Thing Celebrity Dermatologists Never Do When It Comes to Their Skin
Over-cleanse. Betcha didn't see that one coming. Seriously, don't go too crazy with the soap, says Dr. Marmur, noting that sweat is nature's ideal cleanser. "I exercise most mornings and believe a good sweat cleans your pores and skin," she explains. "You just need a quick rinse-off."
Can't quite fathom the idea of not washing your face? Many in-the-know A-listers are already on board with the practice, including Salma Hayek who has famously said, "If you wash your face well at night, it shouldn't be dirty in the morning."
In fact, some people have sworn off facial cleansing entirely: Cameron Diaz and Alex Cooperare behind the less-is-more approach when it comes to facial cleansing. The 29-year-old"Call Her Daddy” podcast hostrecently told Vogue, "I don't wash my face" adding that her skin was oily and acne-prone for years but when shestopped washing her face, she stopped seeing so many pimples. The reason for this,according to Dr. Marmar,is that too much soap can strip off your skin barrierleading to dry, rough, sensitive skin, or in Cooper's case, a bout of pesky breakouts.
We also consulted Sofia Vergara's dermatologist,Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, FAAD, on the subject and she agrees that over-cleansing the skin can deprive it of its protective oils. "I advise using a gentle toner in between washes if you want to gently remove oil, balance the pH and nourish the skin," she tellsParade. "One of my favorite non-stripping toners isHumphreys Nourish Witch Hazel + Aloe Alcohol-Free Toner that'sinfused with certified organic witch hazel along with aloe and vitamin E tohelp moisturize and soften skin post-cleansing."
Not a fan of toners? Dr. Marmur likes to dab a gentle cleanser on her T-zone around the nose from time to timebefore or after showeringbut says you don't need to apply cleanser everywhere to clean your skin. "Your body will do that all on its own," she explains.
More Things You Should Never Do When It Comes to Your Skin, According to a Celeb Dermatologist
In addition to the "don't cleanse too much" commandment, Dr. Marmur lists these rules as her skincare non-negotiables:
Never skip moisturizer
"If I never moisturized, my skin would be dull and inflamed," says Dr. Marmur, adding that sheuses two pumps of moisturizer once to twice daily on her face, eyes, lips and neck. Proof you don't need 20 different products that do all different things—just one hardworking, multitasker.
Never pick
AnotherDr. Marmur no-no is picking. "Never pick or scratch anywhere on your body," she shares, noting this only rips the skin and creates a worse pimple or rash in the long run.
Instead of picking at a pimple or whitehead, she says to apply anti-inflammatory medicine or a natural aloe gel.Instead of scratching a rash, she recommends moisturizing and seeing a board-certified derm to assess the situation as soon as you can.
Never get a tattoo
Think tattoos have nothing to do with how your skin looks? Think again. "Tattoo ink covers skin and masks early skin cancers making early detection—and an early cure—much harder," explains Dr. Marmur. "Tattoos can also cause inflammation that can become chronic like sarcoid or granuloma annular or psoriasis."
Never use charcoal
Lastly, we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but some trendy skincare ingredients aren't worth the hype or your money, according to Dr. Marmur. Case in point: charcoal. "Never use charcoal on your skin," she says. "It's over-drying and non-medical."
Instead, look for derm-approved ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C and ceramides on labels, which are trusted for their antioxidant, hydrating and free radical-fighting capabilities.
Related:Tried and True Beauty Secrets of the Most Beautiful Celebrities
A Celeb Dermatologist-Approved Skincare Routine
Want to know exactly what Dr. Marmur does to keep her skin looking its best? She says she tries to sleep at least sevenhours, wakes up before 6 am, does cardio for 30-60 minutes before work, then takes a three-minute shower and gets ready in less than five minutes. Here's how she does it.
Her morning skincare routine:
"For my skin, I skip the harsh soaps and do not wash my face in the morning. Instead, I rinse in the shower and then use an oil-free makeup remover to get rid of any leftover mascara. She also uses herMMSkincare Revive Serum every morning to help calm and balance her rosacea-prone sensitive skin, followed by a layer of SPF 50.After that, it's some light makeup and she's out the door!
Her nighttime routine:
At night, she uses an oil-free makeup remover, cleanser and two pumps of moisturizer before relaxingwith a 20-minute red light therapy session. Once a week she also masks, saying the MM Skincare Repose Face Maskshelp moisturize her skin and get her ready for bed. "The ingredients and aromatherapy quench my skin, ease my mind to de-stress and let my natural circadian rhythm—AKA sleep—take over. I swear I have plumper skin in the morning after my combo session!"
Next:What One Dermatologist Eats (and Doesn't Eat) for Glowing Skin
Sources
Ellen Marmur, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, founder of MMSkincareand the Chief of Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center New York
Dendy Engelman, MD, FAAD, is the Director of Dermatology, Mohs Surgery, & Laser Medicine at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City.
