10 Ways to Have More Gorgeous Skin in 2017

It’s pretty well known that people are oftern allergic scents, so your best bet is to choose fragrance-free products. According to Dr. Wechsler, it’s difficult to determine what your trigger is because fragrances are normally a combination of scents — some natural, others chemical.

Her advice is to test a new formula on a spot, rather than your whole face. “I like to apply it right in front of my ear three days and three nights in a row,” she said. “Do a little bit, and if you’re fine and don’t get a rash in that area, then you can do it on your whole face. If it’s a body product, then test it on your forearm.”

You should also choose fragrance-free detergent and soaps to be extra careful! Anything that touches your skin can cause an outbreak or allergy.

Do not scrub too hard, warns Dr. Wechsler. If you have sensitive skin, you need a protective barrier between your epidermis and the environment. Stripping your face of that layer will leave you vulnerable to rashes and other issues.

“In the US, we’re bombarded with so many products that scrub and exfoliate as well as devices that do it for us,” Dr. Wechsler said. “And there’s also a sense that if your skin isn’t squeaky clean then it is not healthy. This is not true. If it’s squeaky clean then you’ve removed all the natural oils in addition to the dirt and grime and sweat.”

Her advice: you do not need to use a toner, an exfoliator, and an acid-based product every day. Cater your routine to your skin type and what works for you. A low dose of salicylic acid is usually fine for someone with sensitive skin, but you should test it out before slathering it on.

“You don’t have to also use something with painful seeds and then also use something that stings and makes your skin feel tight” Dr. Wechsler added. There’s that sense of if it doesn’t feel like something is happening, that it’s not doing anything, which is also not true.”

OK, let’s talk about toner. I was shocked to learn that it could be harming my skin. “Toner is like another word for exfoliator,” she told me. “It depends what’s in it. If it has witch hazel or alcohol, or something too astringent, then it will be a setup for sensitivity.”

When choosing a toner, make sure that alcohol and witch hazel are not listed in the first three ingredients. Half-percent salicylic acid is usually fine, the doctor recommended. Her pick is the old tried-and-true Clinique Clarifying Lotion ($14), which has about 50 percent of the acne-fighting acid. Most importantly, when choosing a toner, make sure it doesn’t sting or hurt when you apply it.

Dr. Wechsler is not a fan of washcloths, in general; but especially not for those with easily irritated skin, since the texture of them can be harsh. “People used to be worried that it would be dirty and harbor bacteria, but if you change it every day, but still it’s too harsh,” she explained. “So I say: wash your face with your clean hands. That’s all that you need to do.” A simple and free solution? Into it.

Say this sentence, and then repeat it again: people with sensitive skin have to moisturize. Dr. Wechsler admits that it can be difficult to find the right one, but you still need to commit to it. She also suggests keeping a humidifier running in your home and office (if you can) during the colder months.

“Besides the fact that the skin looks healthier and younger because dry skin appears more wrinkled, protecting that barrier is so important,” she noted. A solid layer of hydration ensures that potential molecules (which can make you more sensitive, break out, or develop a rash) have a harder time getting in.

Personally, I keep a bottle of Chanel Solution 10 on my desk and reapply throughout the day. It’s light enough that it melts into my foundation without smudging anything and it feels cooling and soothing when I need a pick-me-up. When it’s really cold outside, I do this same trick with oil.

You hear it again and again, but here’s yet another reason to layer on SPF. “Sunscreen every day is really key because UV rays will make your skin more sensitive,” Dr. Wechsler explained. And if you’re going into the hot sun, then you definitely need it.

She recommends choosing a mineral-based sunscreen since those ingredients won’t flare up allergies. Also, look for ones that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

“That’s why I love the Chanel UV Essentiel 50 because it’s got 17.1 percent zinc oxide and a bit of octinoxate which is a chemical sunscreen that is not commonly associated with sensitivity.”

Dr. Wechsler is also a fan of Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen — yes, a product for kids. “It is just zinc and titanium,” she explained. “So that’s cheap, and it comes in a stick and a cream.”

In addition to hearing over and over how important sunscreen is, you’ve probably also been lectured about getting enough sleep. There’s a reason why every expert pushes for this — it works.

“Nighttime is when our skin repairs and when we grow,” Dr. Wechsler noted. “That whole thing about getting your beauty sleep that my grandmother used to tell me is actually true.”

Here’s the breakdown: evening is when our stress hormones, like cortisol, are at their lowest. Healing molecules, such as growth hormone and beta endorphins are at their highest, so you want to bathe your skin in all that good stuff while cortisol is at its lowest. Cortisol breaks down your skin barrier.

She recommends getting about seven to eight hours of shut-eye per night. “When I say that to people they get really bummed because they’re not sleeping that long,” she added. “If someone is only sleeping five hours a night, I don’t tell them jump right to seven and a half. I talk to them about sleep hygiene and all that stuff — how I can get them at least a half and hour extra.” Follow these tips to pass out easier.

When it comes to makeup removers, simple is better. Dr. Wechsler endorses micellar waters like Bioderma and variations that contain a lot of H20 (Chanel has one in the works for Spring 2016!). Until it comes out, try Neutragenia Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover or Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Milk.

“The problem is some women feel like they have to use a harsh thing to get their makeup off,” the doctor said. “But if you use something like the face water and then follow it with your regular face wash, it’s usually fine.” It takes a few extra minutes, but it’s worth it. If you have stubborn eye makeup to take off, then soak a cotton ball in a gentle removing solution, and hold it over the eye to dissolve the product.

You already know that you shouldn’t scrub your skin, but you also shouldn’t tug at it either. And like washcloths, makeup wipes can cause you to pull at your face.

Plus, “there are a lot of ingredients in them that are harsh, like alcohol,” Dr. Wechsler confirmed. “So I can’t use most of those wipes because it stings and burns.” If you absolutely love wipes, she suggest trying the Cetaphil ones.

Let’s get one thing straight: you should not pick at your zits to begin with. “But if you have sensitive skin and your squashing you are skin with your finger nails — even if they’re wrapped in a tissue,” it’s a major problem, Dr. Wechsler warned. “People come into [my office] all the time, and the pimple is still there, but around it is rough, raw, dry, and infected skin.”

If you have a pimple and you believe it has to be popped, she proposes to take two cotton swabs and gently, evenly apply pressure on the sides. “If it’s not ready, it won’t pop,” she said. “You cannot hurt yourself with Q-Tips. They’ll break if you push too hard, and they’re soft and clean. People don’t stop when they use their fingers until they get blood.”

You can buy some over-the-counter acne products, but avoid anything with benzoyl peroxide. “The two active ingredients approved by the FDA for over-the-counter are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid,” she explained. “So it’s safer to stick with salicylic acid. If a salicylic acid product isn’t working for you in a few weeks, then you really need to see a dermatologist.”

If you live in NYC and would like to book an appointment with Dr. Wechsler, then visit her website.