Top Dermatologists Share Their Morning Skin-Care Routines

Miami dermatologist Anna Chacon, MD

“I start with a gentle, hydrating cleanser like CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser or SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser. These are both effective at removing impurities without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy skin balance.

After cleansing, I apply a calming toner, such as Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner, which helps balance the skin’s pH and prep it for better absorption of subsequent products.

Next, I use a vitamin C serum like SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. It provides antioxidant protection, brightens skin and helps with collagen production.

I then apply a lightweight moisturizer like EltaMD PM Therapy for hydration without heaviness, which is perfect for keeping my skin moisturized throughout the day.

Finally, I never skip sunscreen! I use EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46. It’s ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin, offering protection without clogging pores.

I love these products because they provide effective results with gentle ingredients that are suitable for most skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin.”

New York dermatologist Julie Russak, MD

“In the morning, my focus is always on protection—protecting the skin’s barrier, its antioxidant defenses, and its long-term regenerative capacity. That’s when the skin is most vulnerable to environmental and oxidative stress, so the right ingredients in the right order really matter.

I start with a gentle gel cleanser. Depending on the skin’s needs that day, I alternate between DefenAge’s 1-Step Multi-Cleanse—a beautiful, non-foaming cleanser for more mature or barrier-compromised skin—and Revision Skincare’s Papaya Enzyme Cleanser, which uses natural digestive enzymes to brighten and clear younger, more sensitive or breakout-prone skin.

After cleansing, I apply Skinceuticals Phloretin CF, my go-to antioxidant serum in the summer. It’s incredibly lightweight, which I love for warmer months, but also highly effective in preventing oxidative damage from UV, pollution and blue light. Phloretin helps inhibit tyrosinase and other pigment-inducing enzymes, so it’s especially valuable for patients who are prone to hyperpigmentation. It’s my first line of defense for pigment control before summer sun exposure even begins.

Then I use Revox Line Relaxer from Revision—a targeted peptide serum that supports cellular regeneration and enhances the results of neuromodulators. Peptides are essential in my approach to aging because they stimulate repair without inflammation, which is the foundation of everything we do at the clinic.

For moisturizer during the day, I reach for SkinMedica Total Defense + Repair Protect and Correct. It offers hydration, infrared protection and pigment correction all in one, which makes it a great multitasker, especially in New York summers.

And finally, my hero product: our RDC Sunscreen Serum. This is our newest launch, and I created it because I wanted a sunscreen that didn’t just block damage, but actually improved the skin while doing it. It has the weightless feel of a serum, but delivers full broad-spectrum protection, barrier support and regenerative actives. It’s everything I believe in, in one step.”

Minneapolis dermatologist Jenny Liu, MD

“First, I use Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, a dermatologist-trusted staple that cleanses without stripping, making it ideal for maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier.

Next, I apply the OG SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, a powerhouse antioxidant serum that brightens, firms and protects skin from environmental damage throughout the day. It’s the most studied vitamin C serum.

Then I use Avène Cleanance Serum, which balances oil, smooths texture and refines pores with gentle yet effective exfoliating ingredients. It’s perfect for keeping skin clear.

Next up is the Lion Pose Barrier Cream, which hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier with ceramides and squalane, locking in moisture while soothing irritation.

And lastly, Augustinus Bader Sunscreen. This is a luxe, science-driven SPF that offers broad-spectrum protection while supporting skin regeneration and radiance.”

New York dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD

“In the shower, I wash my face and neck with an exfoliating scrub like Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash to lift and loosen up facial hairs in preparation for shaving, and to prevent ingrown hairs.

After shaving with a razor with one or two blades to limit ingrown hairs, I apply Paula’s Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum. As an antioxidant, vitamin C protects skin from oxidative stress from pollution, UV radiation, and normal cellular metabolism to limit the appearance of sunspots and fine lines.

I follow the serum with Skincare Junkie Megadose Super Antioxidant Face Moisturizer, which contains hyaluronic acid to heighten hydration, centella asiatica (cica) to reduce redness, and squalane and ceramides to support the skin barrier.

Lastly I apply a sheer, mineral-based SPF moisturizer made with niacinamide that protects skin from sun damage and harmful UV rays while minimizing the appearance of blemishes and imperfections. Right now, I’m using Dr. Rossi Derm MD The Day Formula.”

New York dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD

“My current morning skin-care routine starts with washing my face with Revision Skincare’s Papaya Enzyme Cleanser. I then apply Skinfluence Vitamin C Serum, a skin brightener, followed by Skinfluence DNA Youth Recovery Ultra-Rich Cream, a recovery product. My last step is Alastin Hydratint Pro Mineral Sunscreen, which is my favorite multitasker—a sunblock and tint in one.”

New York dermatologist Nava Greenfield, MD 

“I cleanse my skin at night after removing my makeup, so I don’t cleanse against in the morning to avoid overdrying my skin. I first apply a gentle chemical exfoliating pad—Schweiger Dermatology Group ClearMe Pads, which are 2-percent glycolic acid and 2-percent salicylic acid—three mornings a week. I use it all over my face and neck.

Next, I mix the Grown Alchemist Regenerating Serum, which is a hydrating serum with polypeptides that moisturizes, plumps and gives a dewy glow, with a tinted SPF like La Roche-Posay Tinted Anthelios Light Fluid Sunscreen, and apply a generous amount of the mixed product to my skin. I then apply an eye cream that is also an antioxidant: The Outset Smoothing Vitamin C Eye and Expression Lines Cream.

Finally, and most importantly, I apply SPF. I switch off on this product and don’t use only one consistently. Because I have layered the SPF, I don’t worry about applying a thick coat, which may leave a white cast. After that, I apply my makeup, and I am finished!”

San Francisco dermatologist Tracy Evans, MD

“My morning skinc-are routine starts with a cleanse using La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil, which gives me lasting hydration that I seal in with the rest of my skin-care steps.

Next I apply Plated Intense Serum, which features a powerful combination of technology to combat aging combined with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants. It harnesses new exosome technology for anti-aging using the most pure platelet-derived exosomes, which are cell communicators to heal and regenerate cells.

My eye cream is Neocutis Lumiere Firm, and I follow this with skinbetter science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment, which packs a powerful punch of hydration without feeling heavy.

SPF is always essential, and right now I’m layering two: EltaMD UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 Red Color Correcting Face Sunscreen to mask any redness, followed by Alastin Hydratint SPF 36, which doubles as my foundation. To give it a flawless application, I use a Chanel Foundation Brush for blending.

Before heading out the door, I put on my sunglasses, always opting for an oversized Jackie O style to provide as much coverage as possible and prevent crow’s-feet and wrinkles, even if it’s not a sunny day.”

Vallejo, CA dermatologist Serena Mraz, MD

“I wash my face with Andalou Revitalizing Cleansing Gel, which gives my face a great start to the day by providing potent antioxidants and a boost to the collagen producing cells in the skin called fibroblasts.

Next, I layer my skin care, starting with Alphascience Tannic Serum. It has the potent combination of four strong antioxidants: stabilized L-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, tannic acid and gingko biloba. This not only protects, but brightens as well.

I then add my moisturizer, Andalou Renewal Cream, which has probiotics for the skin, along with vitamin C and other potent antioxidants to scavenge free radicals throughout the day and provide a host of benefits from a healthy skin microbiome.

This is followed by Andalou Rejuvenating Eye Balm, which contains a retinol alternative that has the advantages of being nonirritating, antioxidant-rich and highly moisturizing. It helps to brighten the skin around the eyes to really make the eyes shine.

I will top off my base moisturizers with Seaweed Bath Co. Invisible Mineral SPF 50, which contains over 65 vitamins and minerals to nourish and protect through the day, as well as seaweed extract, which works in synergy with the mineral sun protection to enhance sun-protective effects and clean up the effects of environment and other insults to the skin. I love the gel-like consistency, sheer finish and slip it gives to my skin. This is an important step, even with a simple drive to my office. This simple routine can follow an early exercise routine and dog walk and be expediently included in the morning routine for an optimal start to a productive day.”

Austin dermatologist Kristina Collins, MD

“My morning skin-care routine is usually quite fast, as it is a whirlwind in my house getting my 7-year-old and 3-year-old ready for school, taking care of the labradoodle—who is my neediest child—and of course attempting to get ready myself. Thank goodness I wear scrubs nearly every day!

I often just splash my face with water in the morning because I have dry skin and find overcleansing to be too harsh for my skin type. If I am shooting a video or doing an appearance of some kind that day, then I will wash my skin with Revision Skincare’s Brightening Cleanser.

I follow my water splash or cleanser with Foy Antioxidant Serum, which is my absolute favorite product from my own skin-care line and the one product I never skip applying. I have recently been following the antioxidant serum with PCA SKIN Collagen Hydrator. After my moisturizer, I apply a tinted sunscreen, and my current fave is Colorescience Flex.”

New York dermatologist Hee Jin Koh, MD

“First, I use AESTURA ATOBARRIER365 Foaming Cleanser. This is a great gentle cleanser that doesn’t leave my skin dry. I use it to wash my face in the morning and evening, usually for around 30 seconds each time.

Next, I apply Eucerin Radiant Tone Dual Serum. It contains Thiamidol, which helps with hyperpigmentation by blocking the enzyme tyrosinase. It does have fragrance, so I would recommend spot-testing to prevent any irritation if you have sensitive skin.

Next is AESTURA ATOBARRIER365 Lotion. This is a great lightweight moisturizer that contains ceramides to help strengthen the skin barrier and help retain moisture in skin. It’s good for dry skin and eczema-prone skin, and great to use under sunscreen.

Lastly, I apply Goodal Calming Moisture Sunscreen, a lightweight Korean sunscreen with no white cast.”