Dermatologist Reveals His ENTIRE Skincare Routine (Morning & Night)

Summary

Dermatologist Dr. Chris Tomassian walks through a simple, consistent routine tailored to his combination skin, which shifts with the seasons. His main concerns are fine lines, wrinkles, and texture. The doctors emphasize choosing products based on your own skin concerns rather than copying a popular routine.

Key Skincare Strategies

• Personalize the routine: Skin type and tolerance vary. A routine does not need to be rigid or elaborate; consistency and choosing products for specific concerns matter more.
• Morning routine:
  • He skips cleanser in the morning, rinsing or showering with water instead because cleansing can leave his skin too oily or too dry later.
  • He applies a vitamin C serum for antioxidant support and a brighter-looking complexion.
  • He uses a PDRN product, an ingredient the doctors say is promising but needs more research when used topically.
  • He finishes with a combined moisturizer and SPF 50 sunscreen to save time. He prefers chemical sunscreen for its feel and ease of blending, particularly with facial hair.
• During the day: He sometimes uses a hypochlorous acid spray as a refreshing option, including after lunch or work. The doctors also discuss it as an alternative to alcohol-based sprays that can dry the skin.
• Evening routine:
  • He cleanses once with CeraVe Cream-to-Foam Cleanser and does not double cleanse.
  • He uses prescription tretinoin, currently at 0.025%, as he works back up after finding a higher strength difficult to tolerate. He may skip it on short trips because travel conditions can irritate his skin.
  • He uses azelaic acid, especially when addressing post-acne discoloration. Depending on his skin’s tolerance and concerns, he may use it in the morning, at night, or both.
  • He uses exfoliating peel pads twice weekly on the weekend, following a schedule of five nights of tretinoin followed by two exfoliation nights.
  • He moisturizes every night. If irritated, he may apply moisturizer before and after tretinoin (“sandwiching”).
• Keep expectations realistic: Product layering does not have to be perfectly timed in everyday life. A routine that is practical and tolerable is preferable to one that is technically ideal but difficult to maintain.
• Prioritize sunscreen and consistency: Tomassian says vitamin C is the product he would not want to go without. The doctors also highlight that his core routine has remained largely stable over several years rather than changing with every trend.

Other Products and Preferences Discussed

• His preferred in-office procedure is a light-setting CO₂ laser for texture; he also uses wrinkle-relaxing injections.
• His “treat yourself” product is Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair.
• For his newborn, the family used petroleum jelly and zinc oxide diaper paste. They noticed irritation with a fragranced product. This was shared as personal experience, not as a general recommendation.

Presenters and Sources

• Dr. Shah — Doctorly
• Dr. Maxfield — Doctorly
• Dr. Chris Tomassian — guest dermatologist
• Zocdoc — video sponsor and doctor-search resource mentioned in the video