beauty

'I'm a skin doctor in my 40s. Here's my entire skincare routine.'

In case you didn't hear us the first 475 times, we're nosy and love finding out what products people use in their skincare routine. Especially when it comes to what skin experts put on their faces.

Because if there's anyone you want to take skincare advice from, it's them. There's nothing more pervy than getting their take on the products and ingredients they think are most effective.

Watch: Here are 7 ways to improve your skin while sleeping. Post continues.


Video via Mamamia

So, when we were having a chat with skin and cosmetic doctor Dr Imaan Joshi, we asked to take a peek inside her skincare cabinet/if she would kindly dish out her entire beauty routine. And she did!

Below, Dr Joshi takes us through absolutely *everything* she puts on her face - from her morning routine to her evening regime.

A skin expert's morning skincare routine.

Okay, okay. The morning routine. Take us through your morning routine, Dr Joshi!

"I like to practice what I preach," she said. "Because I have sensitive skin, my morning routine is super simple." 

We love simple!

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"In the morning I rinse with water (I don’t cleanse as it tends to irritate my skin). If you have oily skin or feel you must cleanse, I suggest a gentle cleanser." 

"I then use a vitamin B3 and vitamin C serum, and a hyaluronic acid serum. I use my own private label brand of serums, called Skin Essentials, as I’m picky about scents and texture and know exactly what’s in them!"

My final step is Aspect Sun CC cream SPF50+, $59. That’s it!"

So, basically: cleanse, serums (optional), moisturiser (optional), SPF (non-negotiable).

Easy as pie.

A skin expert's nighttime skincare routine.

The good news? Dr Joshi's nighttime routine isn't one of those hectic 10-step routines. Because if there's one thing we know about skin experts, they always preach that 'less is more' when it comes to skincare.

She said, "I cleanse with CeraVe Oil Foaming Cleanser, $29.99, five times a week. The other two nights I use a lactic acid cleanser (Skin Essentials private label brand)." 

"For nighttime, if someone wears makeup or doesn’t have sensitive skin, it’s ok to double cleanse with an oil cleanser or micellar water first, then a water-based cleanser - for example, CeraVe Oil Foaming Cleanser or Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $21.99. 

I generally find I can’t tolerate double cleanses and because I don’t wear makeup and have SPF that comes off easily I rarely need to cleanse twice.

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She then uses a hyaluronic acid serum, followed by a retinol serum.

"I use a compounded retinoid 0.025 per cent serum and apply it to my face, neck, décolleté and hands."

Yes, hands! Anyone else accidentally abandoning this area? 

Dr Joshi then uses a moisturiser from her own private brand, but said "If you want cheap and cheerful: CeraVe or Cetaphil cleansers and moisturisers are fine." 

"There’s a lot of confusion out there about what skincare should look like with many people insisting cosmeceuticals are better, etc. My opinion is, it depends."

"If you’re using a personalised prescription medication, you can probably bypass most of the cosmeceuticals or pick and choose to supplement the medicated skincare as they’re not formulated for comfort and elegance but for effect."

"That’s why I worked with a compound chemist to create my own brand [which] I can recommend if someone needs an ingredient, since there are hundreds if not thousands of brands out there." 

"That being said, if you can splurge or want to splurge, and your skincare routine is a daily opportunity to spoil yourself or do some self care, by all means choose some options that will smell and feel great and work their effect on your skin over time too!"

"Unlike in-clinic treatments, I firmly believe that it’s possible to tailor skincare to each face that’ll get the job done without spending a fortune."

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When it comes to the type of skincare brands Dr Joshi rates, she said, "I like CeraVe and Cetaphil and suggest them to patients on a budget/who are just starting out or who want to invest in in-clinic treatments."

Which brings us to...

The in-clinic treatments a skin expert actually uses.

When it comes to in-clinic treatments, Dr Joshi said '"I've had regular anti-wrinkle treatments since I was 45, mainly as the fine lines and wrinkles were bugging me."

"I also have laser facials - a combination of Laser Genesis and chemical peels followed by a snooze under the LED light, on a monthly basis. These treatments are all great for some relaxation, can be made pregnancy-friendly and are great for gentle collagen induction."

"Every six months I also get radiofrequency micro-needling to stimulate deeper layers for collagen (I had the initial three sessions a month apart last year)."

"If I can, as I tend to be prone to dry skin, I get Skin Boosters to my face one to two times a year in the form of injectable hydration."

"Most of my in-clinic treatments are aimed to allow me to be mainly low maintenance and wash-n-wear the rest of the time."

Do you use any of the above products or treatments? Share with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Instagram; @drimaanjoshi; Mamamia.

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