Do men take care of their skin differently than us women? Do they need different products or something?
I’m sure there are some small differences. But after taking a look at Dr Aanand Geria’s skincare routine, you’d hardly find them. His skincare routine and mine are pretty much identical. Skin is skin, ladies (and gentlemen).
In case you’re wondering who Dr Aanand Geria is, here’s the scoop. A board-certified dermatologist, he’s the founder of Geria Skincare (Rutherford, NJ) where he sees patients of all ages, ethnicities, and skin types.
His specialities? Medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. No matter what skin woes you’re dealing with, Dr Geria can help you fix them.
In this interview, Dr Geria shares his skincare routine, the products he can’t live without, and more:
1. When did you become interested in skincare?
I became interested in skincare at a very young age. Growing up my father worked in the skincare industry so being around him and that line of work all the time was inspiring and a great motivator. Having this background, I just naturally gravitated towards dermatology in medical school!
2. What’s your skincare routine like?
My skincare routine varies from day to day. Some days I have extra time to try some new things, as I am getting new products all the time. However, there are always a few constants.
In the morning I like to use a gentle cleanser from CeraVe or Cetaphil. Afterwards, I apply a couple drops of vitamin C serum such as Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. I try to use a lightweight moisturizer. One of my favorites is the Neutrogena HydroBoost Gel Cream. Lastly, I always wear sunscreen no matter what, and my current favorite is Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense which is tinted mineral-based product.
In the evening, depending on how tired I am, I’ll use a gentle cleanser, a thicker hydrating moisturizer, and lastly a retinol cream for anti-aging purposes. Twice a week, I’ll use glycolic acids pads to exfoliate the skin. On days that I do this, I will usually skip the retinol cream to avoid excessive irritation.
3. If you could only use three skincare products for the rest of your life, what would they be?
I definitely cannot live without a hydrating moisturizer, a sunscreen and a retinol.
4. What are your fave skincare brands and why?
Right now, I’m really loving Skinceuticals. They have a very comprehensive lineup with high quality ingredients. Other brands are Revision Skincare and LaRoche Posay. These brands have solid science to back up their claims rather than just social media hype. In addition they are studied, tried and tested by skincare experts, scientists, and dermatologists.
5. What are your top 3 skincare tips to take care of your skin?
1. Always wash your face before bed especially if you’re wearing make up!
2. Wear sunscreen, SPF 30 at least, even if it’s cloudy outside. Â
3. Don’t exfoliate more than twice a week.
6. What skincare treatments do you regularly have done?Â
I like to do a monthly Hydrafacial just to keep my skin clear and refreshed.
7. What lifestyle habits do you have that keep your skin in top shape?
I generally drink a lot of water to keep my skin supple, soft and hydrated. Sleep is super important because I already have dark circle issues. I try to avoid pro-inflammatory foods such as processed items and refined carbohydrates as much as possible.
8. What’s in your makeup bag?
In my shoulder bag, I keep small samples of Cetaphil Cleanser, Aveeno lotion, and oil-blotting wipes (Starbucks napkins work well for this too!)Â
Thank you, Dr Aanand!
You can find out more about Dr Geria’s work at Geria Dermatology.
I’ve read a few recent posts where retinol is applied after moisturizer. I thought it was supposed to go on before? Is there a rhyme or reason to the order here?
Erin, retinol penetrates skin better when used before moisturiser. But, for some skin types, that can be too irritating. In this case, it makes sense to apply after moisturiser to dilute it a little.