This Holistic Derm's 4-Step Routine Aces Simple Skin Care: How To Mirror It On Your Own

Everyone's skin is different, which means skin care routines are entirely personal (read: Not everyone's regimen will have the same exact structure—and that's OK), but there are certain aspects skin care experts would recommend over others. 

First up, Barr uses a gentle cleanser in the morning. Now, the morning cleanse is certainly contested (some find it way too drying), so if your skin feels especially parched, feel free to just use water. "The important time to wash your face is actually in the evening, as you've been exposed to air pollution and other things that can gunk up hair follicles," Barr notes. You'll still want to have some rinse, though, to help any treatments and moisturizers effectively penetrate those pores. 

Next, the serum: "I use an antioxidant serum with vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid," notes Barr. All those antioxidants are great on their own (managing photodamage, promoting collagen production—you know, all good things), but combining them increases their chemical power. One study even found that vitamin E and ferulic acid increase vitamin C's effectiveness eightfold1.

Essentially, Barr's routine follows the same steps—cleanser, antioxidant serum, and moisturizer. Only, she adds another treatment step into the mix: She uses a topical retinoid to promote cell turnover. But she blends the topical with hydrating hyaluronic acid. "Retinoids can be drying and irritating, so I add moisture to help balance it," she says.