Americans overspend on skincare, it’s not a secret. However, we’re not buying the products we truly need, we’re buying the products advertising makes us think we need.

So, I took a different approach, I stopped looking at the reviews or trying to understand the ingredients — I went to my dermatologist and reviewed videos by board-approved online dermatologists to hear what they truly suggest for our skin.

What are the bare necessities?

Our skin just needs to be cleaned, moisturized, and, of course, protected. We don’t need “plumping” or “anti-aging” as SPF (sun-screen) is the BEST way to prevent what we see as “aging” and plumping can be done a lot better through simple Hyaluronic Acid layered with a moisturizer to lock in the water that HA draws up.

So, we don’t need all these fancy products that only damage our bank account.

What is a good product line?

Today, no one brand sells perfect products, they all have pros and cons. So, here are 6 products I urge you to look into.

Sunscreen?

YES, here is what Dr. Dray has to say about the rules-of-the-road for sunscreen;

Products worth Mentioning?

We’re loving the Colorescience total renewal 3-in-1, the SkinCeuticals clarifying mask, and the Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin™ Liquid.

Am I moisturizing right?

Maybe, maybe not, here is what Dr. Dray has to say;

Okay, who is Dr. Dray?

Dray is a board-approved dermatologist who we find doesn’t accept sponsorship and speaks truthfully about her take on product lines. Along with that, she preaches simple skincare and goes over why she does what she does.

In addition, she reviews a whole spectrum of products through her “shop-with-me” vlogs where she goes over different products solely based on their ingredients list.

Our personal suggestions;

I personally use the Elta MD Sunscreen by itself in the morning after rinsing my face with luke-warm water, along with the CeraVe healing ointment for lip balm, which by the way has helped my lips so much in just a few days!

I use the CeraVe ointment because it really is the most no-non-sense / bang-for-your-buck type lip balm.

Then, I’ll reapply the Elta MD whenever I have been exposed to the sun directly, or if it’s an indoor kind of day, I’ll throw on the CeraVe in the Tub.

After the day has ended I wash my face with the CeraVe gentle cleanser along with luke-warm water. After that, I dry my face and then apply Neutrogena Hydro-Boost (extra dry) and rub that in genteelly, then once that has been absorbed, I’ll follow-up with the CeraVe night cream. Finally, I’ll cap it all off with the CeraVe healing ointment to my lips.

For myself, I use the night cream to help with my skin’s redness (the ingredient that helps here is niacinamide) the rest of this regime is for combo skin with a little acne-prone-ness.

— Written by Chris Cardone