The Basics: Aprѐs Skin Truths That Actually Matter

The Basics

Let’s start with some basic skincare truths that will help you make smarter decisions about your routine. Buckle up, your future face will thank you.

Daily Habits > Occasional Treatments‍

What you do every single day matters WAY more than what you do in my office a few times a year. Your skincare routine is the real MVP, and while you might not fully appreciate it in your 20s, your 40-year-old self will be either high-fiving or cursing you. And yes, the Gen Alphas (12-year-olds with elaborate skincare routines) might actually be onto something, even if it seems a little extra.

Expensive Isn’t Bad—But It Has to Be Worth It‍

I’m not scared of expensive products, but they have to earn their price tag. Serums and actives? Worth the splurge—but not because of fancy branding. Designer labels don’t make good skincare. I invest in high-potency, bioavailable, and shelf-stable ingredients, not marketing fluff. Quality actives cost more to produce, and that cost gets passed to you—but at least you’re paying for science, not just packaging.

Clinical > Hype‍

I believe in clinical skincare. That means the products I recommend have actual studies proving they work. Most drugstore brands? Not tested. They can add a single drop of vitamin C to a basic moisturizer and call it an “antioxidant serum.” That’s why I only use medical-grade products with real research behind them. They’re held to higher standards... and I like my skincare like I like my men, top-tier and drama-free.

Ingredients Matter More Than Branding‍

I don’t care whose name is on the bottle. I care about what’s inside. Price tags don’t impress me either—cheap and effective? Sign me up. The real key is reading the ingredient list, because that’s where the magic (or red flags) live.

“Clean Beauty” Buzzwords? Meh.‍

Words like “vegan,” “plant-based,” “naturally sourced” mean nothing in dermatology. Those are simply marketing hooks. In fact, plants = allergies. Most common skin allergies come from plant-based ingredients. Lab-formulated doesn’t scare me—bad science does. I care about results and safety, not trendy marketing.