Taking the initiative to get a dermatologist to help you keep your skin healthy can be a great experience. These doctors use their expertise to make sure you look and feel your best. Once you leave their office, however, you may be wondering about the best ways to maintain your skin between visits. There are some simple ways to maximize your doctor's efforts at home.

Identify Your Skin Type

As you work with your dermatologist to care for your skin, make sure to ask about your skin type. The doctor can help you identify the traits of your skin that need the most attention. When you know your skin type, you can select the right skincare products and treatments that are best suited for your skin's unique needs. For instance, one skin type may benefit more from a moisturizing serum than others.

The most common skin types include:

• Normal Skin - Normal skin has a balanced amount of oil and hydration, with few visible blemishes and a smooth texture.
• Oily Skin - Oily skin produces excess oil, which can lead to shine, enlarged pores and an increased risk of acne.
• Dry Skin - Dry skin lacks oil and hydration, resulting in flakiness, tightness, and fine lines.
• Combination Skin - Combination skin has both oily and dry areas, with oiliness typically in the forehead, nose and chin.
• Sensitive Skin - Sensitive skin is easily irritated by certain ingredients or environmental factors, resulting in redness, itching or a burning sensation.

Understanding your skin will make it much easier to take care of it.

Choose Products Formulated For Your Skin Type

With your skin type identified, it's time to make sure the products you are using are in line with your needs. Many people have cleansers or exfoliators that they have gotten used to over the years but don't realize those products aren't a good fit. Once you know your skin type, you may need to dump some of those old items and upgrade to new formulas that will serve your skin better.

For instance, a cleanser with alcohol or that's too harsh could make dry skin worse. You would need to switch to something that moisturizes while it cleans. In general, ahyaluronic acid serum is ideal for most skin types for adequate moisture.

Wear Sunscreen

Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the most important things you can do for your skin's health and appearance. Sun damage can cause wrinkles, dark spots and even skin cancer. It's important to wear sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days, to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Sunscreen is especially important if you useserums with Vitamin C, as they increase sun sensitivity.

Many moisturizers and serums also have SPF built in. Your dermatologist can recommend a sunscreen that is appropriate for your skin type and any skin concerns you may have.

Simplify Your Skincare Routine

In the world of skincare, less is often more. The basic steps of any routine are to cleanse, moisturize and protect. Different products such as scrubs and washes take care of the first part. Serums or creams can bring moisture, and sunscreen is your protection. It can be helpful to use products with multiple purposes, such as aCoQ10 serum. Do your best to get all of these things done in the least amount of steps with simple formulas that have specific purposes.

If you start using a lot of different products it can be hard to tell if one in particular is bothering your skin. Adding more steps and items to your skincare routine also makes it more taxing and time-consuming for you. That makes it harder to stick to the routine, which is critical since consistency is a pillar of skincare.

Treat Your Lips

Your lips have skin too, and it needs to be taken care of. Just like the rest of your skin, start with sun protection. Look for lip balms that offer SPF protection. Speaking of balms, you want one that will keep your lips well-hydrated. It's always good to look for hydrating ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, or coconut oil. Take the time to exfoliate your lips as well.

Don't Touch Your Face

Finally, breaking the habit of touching your face will help you make the most out of the work you do with your dermatologist. Even when your hands look clean, they actually carry a lot of hidden germs and grime from all of the things you handle. Each time you touch your face, you introduce a small amount of those germs to your face. You could see clogged pores or blemishes.

It's also a good idea to keep other items off your face as much as you can help it. Don't rest sunglasses on your hair and then put them back on without cleaning them since they may have residue from your hair products.

Get the Most From Your Skin Journey

Once you've made the commitment to let a dermatologist help you improve your skin, you have taken a big step toward feeling your best. Make sure you get everything you can from your effort by supporting your healthy skin journey every day. By keeping a few simple things in mind, you can do your part to improve your skin.