Dermatologist Dr. Love Recommends an Effective Evening Skincare Routine for Every Budget
With store shelves full of beauty products ranging from just a few dollars to several hundred, it can be hard to decide where to save and where to splurge when you're shopping for a skincare routine. In this video, Elyse Love, MD, FAAD, a board certified dermatologist in New York City, comes to the rescue with nighttime skincare regimens for three budgets: $25, $100, and $1,000.
Evening Skincare Routine for Under $25
For this skincare routine, Dr. Love focuses on the basics—a cleanser, a retinol serum, and a moisturizer.
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser
This simple cleanser is gentle enough to be used for a double cleanse—so you can remove makeup and cleanse the skin without being harsh.
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
Retinols that fit this price point can be tricky, but The Ordinary's serum is perfect for helping stimulate collagen production. Because retinol can be harsh on skin, Dr. Love suggests starting slow with it, using it only once or twice a week to let your skin get used to the product.
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
This nighttime moisturizer is lightweight and contains ceramides, which help improve the skin barrier and smooth your skin.
Evening Skincare Routine for $100
With a bigger budget, Dr. Love sticks with a three-product routine, but upgrades the quality of the products.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
This is one of Dr. Love's favorite products, which cleanses without stripping the skin of natural moisture.
Obagi Clinical Retinol .5 Retexturizing Cream
Dr. Love considers Obagi's retinol creams a great starter retinoid. Until recently, it was only available through the dermatologist, but is now available at stores.
La Roche-Posay Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Dr. Love uses this moisturizer herself—it's an oil-free, lightweight moisturizer that can be used night and day.
Evening Skincare Routine for $1,000
With an especially luxe budget, Dr. Love puts together a skincare routine that covers it all—including a new tool to help plump and lift skin.
Ustawi Myrtle Leaf Micellar Water Gel
For cleaning away makeup, micellar water does an excellent job without clogging pores or stripping away natural oils.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
Dr. Love likes to do a double cleanse at night to help clear away makeup—and CeraVe's cleanser (which has a starring role in the $100 routine, too) is still her pick.
SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
This growth factor-packed serum can help improve fine lines, wrinkles and skin tone and texture. (And respondents felt it made them look six years younger.)
AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Usually, using retinols with alphahydroxy acids is a no-no, but this formulation combines them to create one of the most tolerable retinols on the market.
Creme de la Mer
This is one of the most controversial moisturizers on the market—with people both for and against this total splurge cream. "Tons of people swear by it, but some people wonder if the ingredient list justifies the price point," Dr. Love points out. But if you're looking for luxury in skincare, look no further.
OleHenricksen Banana Bright Eye Creme
This vitamin C-infused eye cream brightens the under eye area to create a more youthful appearance.
NuFace Mini Facial Toning Device
When you have a grand to spend, why not include a device, too? This uses microcurrents to help plump and lift facial skin—though the jury's still out on whether the device provides longer lasting effects.
