Derm Q&A

With new skin trends popping up every week (hello: slugging and skin cycling), it can be confusing to know if you're using the right products and ingredients for you.

We forwarded your need-to-know skin questions to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Trent, MD, FAAD, for her expertise. From caring for post-procedure skin to identifying your skin type, read on for the answers to your skin FAQs.

Q: How Do I Know My Skin Type?

A: Knowing your skin type can help you choose the right skincare products for your routine. To determine your skin type, wash your face and wait for 30-minutes. If it feels:

Dry, tight, flaky, or itchy, your skin type is dry.
Shiny or greasy, your skin type is oily.
Oily near the nose, forehead, and eye area but dry on the cheeks, it is called combination type.
Additionally, if you often get rashes or redness,your skin might be sensitive.

Blotting paper test is also an easy way to determine the skin type. Wash your face and after 30-minutes, gently rub your face with blotting paper. The blotting paper will be covered with oil if the skin type is oily. For combination skin, use two different blotting paper sheets near your nose and forehead.

Now that you know your skin type, you are ready to pick a cleanser that best suits your skin:

For Dry Skin: Use Gentle Milk Cleanser, Trixera Cleansing Gel and Avéne Thermal Spring Water to revitalize your dry skin.
For Oily Skin: Cleanance Cleansing Gel is specifically formulated for oily, blemish-prone skin. It gently removes dirt, oil, and impurities without stripping the skin.
For Combination Skin: Micellar Lotion Cleanser & Make-Up Remover provides instant hydration to the skin and restores the moisture barrier.

Q: What Kind of Products Should I Be Using After a Dermatological Procedure?

A: Procedures like peels and fillers or laser treatment can leave skin irritated, dry and itchy. Your skin needs gentle care that helps in healing. Natural products with calming and soothing effects help speed the recovery of post-procedure skin.

Comfort the skin with a cooling mist of Avène Thermal Spring Water.
Help restore and moisturize for optimal recovery with Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream. It has postbiotic, protein-rich ingredient C+ Restore™ that restores your skin. Or try Tolérance Control Cream , which is packed with the postbiotic ingredient D-SensinoseTM to target skin discomforts.
For a comprehensive post-procedure routine, the SOS Post-Procedure Recovery System is a curated kit to comfort and protect the skin.

Q: What Are the Benefits of Mineral Sunscreen?

A: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US. As a preventative measure, protecting your skin from the ultra-violet-A rays is crucial. Sunscreen needs to be a part of your daily routine, not just at a beach or pool.

Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+ includes a 100% mineral sunscreen filter, Zinc Oxide, that provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. It also contains Niacinamide and Allantoin that improve the skin's overall appearance. This sunscreen is approved by the National Eczema Association and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Q: What Is Avène Cicalfate+ Used For?

A: Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream brings the goodness of the newly patented active ingredient C+ Restore™. This protein-rich cream calms and restores the skin. It helps in maintaining a healthy skin environment by protecting the natural barriers.

It is a versatile cream to be kept in your medicine cabinet or diaper bag. Ideal for on-the-go use and treatment of cuts, scrapes, diaper rash and other forms of skin discomfort. Additional benefits include:

Q: What Can Avène Thermal Spring Water Be Used For?

A: Avène Thermal Spring Water , a gift of nature, has its unique microflora and low mineral content. It has been used to relieve various skin conditions for the last two centuries.

Avène Thermal Spring Water is soothing and minimizes redness in various skin diseases. It improves the skin texture, softens, and calms sensitive skin. It can also be applied after shaving, after cleansing, after sun exposure, on burns, and the diaper area, or for a daily refresh. Use Avène Thermal Spring Water during travel to freshen up on-the-go.

Q: In What Order Should I Apply My Skincare?

A: With so many skincare products in the market, it's easy to get confused. A quick rule of thumb is to apply thinnest to thickest consistency. A simple, three-step routine in the morning and evening, is the foundation of an ideal routine.

In the morning:

1. Cleanse with Gentle Milk Cleanser or a gentle Cleansing Foam

2. Treat with RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum

3. Moisturize with Revitalizing Nourishing Cream

In the evening: