Tag Archives: skincare

Top 10 Body Washes and Bar Soaps – Recommended by Dr. Dray

Dr. Dray strictly recommends not to over wash your skin, because regular use of soap results in dry skin. The soap, while effective in removing dirt and oil, also strips the skin of its natural lipid barrier. Unfortunately, this leads to you losing water from the skin after cleansing, which consequently leads to skin infections.

Dr. Dray recommends being strategic when it comes to body washing and cleansing and avoid over doing it. It is advantageous to use soaps and cleansers in areas where there is skin on skin contact, body folds and areas that sweat a lot. Otherwise, there is no need to use body washes, unless you just came back from the beach, hike, or the playground.

Another reason to use a body wash or a soap is if they are medicated and meant for skin conditions like acne, folliculitis etc.

Prefer video to text? Here is the original video of Dr. Dray recommending her top picks of body cleansers.

Bar Soap or Liquid Cleanser – The Better Choice?

Both bar soaps and liquid cleansers have advantages and disadvantages.

Liquid Cleansers are advantageous over bar soaps because –

They tend to be a little less drying or irritating than bar soaps.
They allow you to be a little more conservative regarding the amount of product you are using.

Bar Soaps are advantageous over liquid cleansers because –

They are more environmentally friendly.
Traditional bar soaps were harsh, drying, and irritating but the newer bar soaps are gentler and contain moisturizing ingredients.

Dr. Dray recommends using just your hands to wash your body with a liquid cleanser. She also prefers a washcloth over a loofah, when using a bar soap. Bar soaps tend to have a film around them which needs to be broken down, to do this she recommends using a washcloth to initiate the lathering process while ensuring that you do not end up with too much soap on your hands.

Note: The inserted images from amazon are for your benefit and mine. They give you a better idea of the products I talk about; and if you use my link to make any purchase, I make a small commission from Amazon as part of their Amazon Affiliates Program.

The Best Bar Soaps and Liquid Cleansers

1. CeraVe Hydrating Bar

This cleansing bar is one that is frequently recommended by Dr. Dray. This is formulated with gentle surfactants but also includes petrolatum and different moisturizing ingredients that help seal in some of the trans epidermal water loss that comes from cleansing.

2. CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash

If you prefer the liquid formulation to the bar soap, then here is another recommendation by Dermatologist Dr. Dray. This brand has so many gems when it comes to skin care. I have a post about Dr. Dray’s top CeraVe picks. Here is a link to that post if you are looking for some good CeraVe products.

3. Dove Beauty Bar – Fragrance Free

This is a great bar soap, unlike CeraVe, this one is missing the petrolatum, which is why CeraVe is definitely a better choice. This one by Dove is not a bad choice, however, make sure you are using the fragrance-free version.

4. Ceramedx Natural Ceramide Cleanser

This is a cruelty free, vegan alternative. This has very gentle surfactants, the sunflower seed oil in it is fantastic for people with eczema, or dry skin conditions. This fragrance-free formula is one of the top recommendations by Dr. Dray. She recommends using this on the face as well.

5. Aquanil Cleanser

This acne friendly cleanser is great for the face and the body. A little goes a long way when it comes to this cleanser. This may seem expensive but considering how little you need of the product; it is a great deal.

6. Eucerin Advanced Cleansing Bar Soap

Here is another great bar soap recommendation. Eucerin is another fantastic brand that has so many amazing products to choose from. They are often overlooked, but this bar soap is simple, effective, has moisturizing ingredients that is must for any top notch body wash, especially bars because they tend to be a bit more drying than the liquids.

7. Eucerin Baby Wash

If it is healthy for a baby, it is healthy for a grown up. At least when it comes to body cleansing. This baby wash by Eucerin is gentle for sensitive skin types and a good one to try out.

8. Cetaphil Restoraderm

Cetaphil does not need an introduction, when it comes to skincare, a lot of people trust this brand to deliver. Dermatologist Dr. Dray recommends a lot of Cetaphil skin care products, and I have a post up about her Cetaphil top picks, click here to enter the post.

9. Vanicream Cleansing Bar

Vanicream is another brand that is often overlooked by people who are naturally distracted by shiny, fancy packaging. However, if you are someone who appreciates quality over packaging, this is a good choice when it comes to cleansers. Moisturizing, simple and effective.

10. Vanicream Body Wash

Prefer a liquid cleanser to a bar? Vanicream has you covered in that area as well. The same goodness of moisturizing humectants, in a liquid cleansing form is also a nice option to choose from.

Wrapping Up

To recap, there are many great body cleansers out there that might suit you and catch your fancy. This list is a good one to help you find one that you need. However, it is important to remember that little goes a long way when it comes to cleansing. Use enough to get rid of dirt and oil from your skin, but not so much that will strip your skin off its natural lipid barriers or cause dryness, and irritation. A lot of skin allergies are caused from the overuse of cleansers, so using more product than required might be counterproductive. Be wise and always follow up with a good moisturizer.

What is a good moisturizer you ask? Here is a list to help you make that decision!

Recommended by Dr. Dray: Top 16 Sunscreens (The Ultimate Guide)

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Recommended by Dr. Dray: Top 16 Sunscreens (The Ultimate Guide)

Our favorite dermatologist Dr. Dray has quite a few videos up on her YouTube channel about the importance of sunscreens. Sunscreens are the most important product that every single person needs to apply every day. Especially when stepping out into the sun. It protects the skin from ultraviolet rays from the sun, it prevents the skin from sun damage, it is the best anti-aging product out there. Did you know that rays from the sun are the no. 1 reason for skin aging and skin cancer? Do not forget to use sunscreen around the eyes, lips, and the ears as well.

Fun Fact: Sunscreens do not cause Vitamin D deficiency. It is just a myth that should not be believed. Some experts argue that wearing sunscreens helps the body make more Vitamin D.

Prevention is always better than cure. Instead of spending money, time, and money, (yes, I said money twice Intentionally), lets buy a sunscreen, and use it regularly. I did not start wearing sunscreen until last year, after watching Dr. Dray’s videos and it saved my skin.

Interested in some of the other products that are necessary for skin care? Here is a list of 5 holy grail products recommended by Dr. Dray.

I know you are not here to watch me ramble on about the beauty of sunscreen, your being on this page means you already know; so lets just get into some of the best sunscreens, as recommended by dermatologist Dr. Dray.

1. CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30: $13.97

This is a mineral sunscreen that is the best tinted sunscreen from the drugstore, according to Dr. Dray. The tint works well for medium skin tones, even people with a deeper skin tone can try this out and this should work fine. This is not greasy, it adds a good amount of moisturizer, this has niacinamide that is also known to be helpful for fighting off hyperpigmentation, it helps calm down redness as well.

Tinted sunscreens add a little more layer of protection for the skin from visible light from the sun, particularly for people with deeper skin tones. The only ingredients that protect against that are Zinc Oxide and Iron Oxide. Iron Oxide is what creates the tint, which is why makeup also adds an extra layer of protection from the visible light from the sun as well.

2. CANMAKE Mermaid Skin Gel SPF 50: $11.99

This sunscreen contains Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. These two ingredients together provide a good coverage from the sun. This sunscreen gives a subtle shimmery shine to the skin when applied.

3. Differin Oil Control SPF 30: $8.23

This product is a lower SPF of 30, so it is good for days when you stay at home mostly. This is a great everyday sunscreen and moisturizer for oily skin. It does not leave a cast and is non greasy. Another sunscreen that is identical to this one is the Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with SPF 30. Both the Differin and the Cetaphil ones provide the same amount of coverage and are fantastic for those days when you are more likely to stay indoors.

4. Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40: $36.00

Looking for a matte sunscreen, this one is a good choice. This sunscreen is an excellent choice for people with oily skin. This sunscreen has a tint that adds a bronzy glow to the skin. It is very shimmery so make sure you are into that before buying this one. Side Note: It looks great on camera!

5. EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46: $36.00

This sunscreen is ideal for people with oily skin and acne prone skin. The ingredient list is short but sweet. This sunscreen leaves little to no cast on the skin. The niacinamide in it can help calm down redness, oiliness, hyperpigmentation. It is quite matte so quite nice for some of those humid summer days.

6. EltaMD UV Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50: $50.50

Another great sunscreen from this brand is this one. It is a water-resistant formula, it is a combination sunscreen, which means it has zinc which protects against UVA and UVB, along with chemical filters that protect against UVB. If you are sensitive to chemical sunscreens, try a combination sunscreen. It has little cast and will suit people with fair to medium skin tones. If you have deeper skin tone, the cast might be a bit much for you. Also remember that this sunscreen might make you look shiny. Count me in!

Looking for a little more advanced skin care routine, add a retinol. Don’t worry, I have a list for you. Well, Dr. Dray has a list for you. I am just a messenger, Click here for the post on the best Dermatologist suggested retinols.

7. Nivea Sun UV Face Sensitive Soothing SPF 50: $13.98

This is a chemical sunscreen with wonderful filters for broad-spectrum protection. This sunscreen leaves no cast, it absorbs into the skin very quickly. It has SPF 50 and great for people with oily skin. The licorice root in it can help calm down redness as well. Safe to be used around the eyes.

8. NEOSTRATA DEFEND Sheer Physical Protection SPF 50: $29.70

This is a great tinted mineral sunscreen, the tint is very subtle, but if you have a deeper skin tone, this sunscreen is going to leave a white cast. This sunscreen also has green tea extract, which is an antioxidant that is helpful for reducing oiliness.

9. Summer Ready Innovative Sunscreen SPF 30: $24.99

Dr. Dray uses this sunscreen more as a body sunscreen than a face sunscreen. This is a chemical sunscreen; hence, it will not leave a cast. This is water resistant and does not burn.

10. Vanicream Lip SPF 30: $5.20

It is important to protect your lips from the sun as well. You can use regular sunscreen on your lips as well, but that can be super drying, which is why Dr. Dray recommends this SPF lip balm. It is not irritating, it does leave a cast that can make your lips a shade lighter. You can just use a lipstick if the cast bothers you. A simple fix!

11. Cetaphil Sheer Mineral SPF 50

This Mineral sunscreen by Cetaphil is a great one. Mineral sunscreens are a great option for people with sensitive skin. It is also a good choice for people who complain about sunscreens burning their eyes. Mineral sunscreens are better tolerated around the eyes, including eyelids.

Yes! Eyelids need sun protection as well. The only problem with mineral sunscreens is that they do leave a white cast, which might be problematic for people with deeper skin tones. This sunscreen is super moisturizing and water resistant. The cast it leaves might be too much if you have a deeper skin tone. However, if you apply makeup, or a tinted sunscreen over it, the white cast can be easily camouflaged. A fantastic choice for people with rosacea.

12. Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Liquid Sunscreen SPF 50: $14.49

According to Dr. Dray, this one is as good as it is going to get with mineral sunscreens, and that is saying something! Same as the sheer mineral, this sunscreen is also a fantastic choice for SPF wearers. The cast this one leaves is not as obvious as the Sheer Mineral one. This is non greasy, water resistant and leaves a nice sparkle to the skin.

13. Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense SPF 60 Lotion

Neutrogena sunscreens might burn the skin sometimes, but this one is an exception. Neutrogena released two versions of this sunscreen, one SPF 60 and the other is SPF 30. The fragrance is a bit strong on these, which is why Dr. Dray prefers to use this as a body sunscreen. The higher the SPF, the better because people usually do not apply as much as they should be.

14. Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense SPF Face Spray SPF 50

If you use a spray, you still need to rub it into your skin. Remember that if you are looking to buy this spray by Neutrogena or any other SPF spray. This is a fast-absorbing sunscreen spray, which is beneficial if you are out on a hot and humid day. This one has fragrance in it as well, but this is good for those days spent outdoors. Dr. Dray suggests pumping the sprays into your hand and patting it into your skin.

15. Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum SPF 60

This one is a fragrance-free option with no white cast. The red dyes in this product might be problematic to people with very sensitive skin. Other than that, this is a nice option to try out.

16. Eucerin Daily Hydration SPF 30: $7.69

This is a great chemical sunscreen that can be used on your body, your face. It has no cast, no fragrance, very moisturizing and absorbs super-fast into your skin. It is good for people with sensitive skin.

Wrapping Up

Dermatologist Dr. Dray cannot stress the importance of wearing a sunscreen enough. However, she is not loyal to any one sunscreen. The list is not exhaustive and there are some others that she recommends. You can watch her videos to find out more if you are interested. The best sunscreen is the one that you use. The worst sunscreen is the one that sits in your shelf forever. Do not forget to use SPF on your eyes, lips, ears and body. It is the easiest way to younger, healthier skin.

Recommended by Dr. Dray: Top 10 Moisturizers for Oily Skin

Hello my clever and classy clan! Today we are going to discuss the second most important skin care product that needs to be added to everybody’s skin care routine. Moisturizers! No points for guessing what the most important skin care product is, sunscreen of course! That is for another post, lets focus on moisturizers for now.

Dr. Dray’s Pro Tip: If you are looking for a lighter weight moisturizer, go for products that are labeled as a facial lotion or even gel. Those tend to be more lightweight than creams.

I did not know the importance of moisturizing the skin until last year. I assumed that my oily skin meant that it was naturally moisturized, and I did not need to use an actual moisturizer to it. I WAS WRONG. Dr. Dray convinced me to start wearing moisturizer and I kid you not, I noticed a difference in less than a week. My skin looked radiant, healthy, and smooth four days after I started using a moisturizer. My experience with that is what made me get into skin care, and here I am.

You cannot build the house of your dreams without a strong base. Likewise, no amount of makeup will look its best if the skin is not taken care of. My point is, if you are still afraid of moisturizing your oily skin, test one of the following moisturizers out. Do not trust me? You will trust a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Dray. These are her recommendations for oily skin. Let’s go!

The Best Oily Skin Moisturizers (Non-Greasy and Light)

1.CeraVe PM Facial Lotion: $16.38

This is the moisturizer that I started with and still use, this is the nighttime moisturizer, I use the AM version of this, that one comes with SPF. This has niacinamide which helps reduce redness, it has ceramides that helps repair skin barrier. This product has never caused me any stinging, few people do complain about that, nonetheless.

2. Equate Beauty Advanced Recovery Skin Care Lotion: $8.47

Dr. Dray also recommends a similar product to the CeraVe one, by Equate Beauty if you are looking for a more affordable option.

3. Differin Moisturizer: $8.99

This moisturizer is intended for people who are already using differin for their acne prone skin. However, it is a good moisturizer for everybody with oily skin. This product has avocado oil, which is usually harmless for more people, but people with seborrheic dermatitis should avoid products with oil in it. Other than that, the Differin Moisturizer is a good, affordable choice for people with oily skin.

4. Neutrogena Oil-Free Sensitive Skin Facial Moisturizer: $9.52

This product is perfect for sensitive skin, it is not heavy or greasy. This moisturizer is perfect for people who find that niacinamide irritates their skin. This one by Neutrogena does not include niacinamide in it.

5. Vanicream Lite Lotion: $20.99

This lotion is formulated with minimal offensive ingredients, Dr. Dray loves this popular option because it is specifically designed for people with sensitive, acne prone skin, or people who deal with eczema.

6. Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion: $11.23

This is a wonderful product that does not have any niacinamide or any oils, for people who want to avoid those ingredients. This moisturizer does not contain silicones. Silicones are fantastic ingredients, according to Dr. Dray, and ideal for oily skin. However, if you are bothered by silicones, this moisturizer is a good one to have by your bedside.

7. La Roche-Posay Tirolean Ultra Soothing Moisturizer: $29.99

This moisturizer is a bit more expensive, however it works like a dream on people with oily skin. This product contains silicones, squalene and shea butter, all wonderful ingredients for people with oily skin.

8. DML Moisturizing Lotion: $19.81

This one is another favorite by Dr. Dray and other dermatologists, especially for people with acne prone skin. It is typically well received by people with extremely oily skin. There are no oils or niacinamide in this product.

9. Cleure Oil Free Facial Lotion: $39.00

Another fabulous choice for people who like to avoid silicones, niacinamide. It has alpha hydroxiacid which acts as a humectant. It is great for people with oily skin skin, it also helps remove dullness. This is a pricier option but a great one if you would like to test it out.

10. Aveeno Calm + Restore Gel Moisturizer: $25.97

This is a thick moisturizer that can be applied to a serum or to clean damp skin. This is a hydrating moisturizer that is suitable for anybody with oily, dry, rosacea prone, sensitive or basically any type of skin. It is light weight, absorbs really quickly and good for people with acne as well. This moisturizer is a no nonsense product with amazing ingredients and Dr. Dray approved.

Wrapping Up

You do not need to have oily skin to enjoy these moisturizers, however, these are especially great for those of us with oilier skin, or those of us who simply prefer moisturizers that are not heavy. If you prefer video format, then check out Dr. Dray’s original video right here, and don’t forget, sunscreen and subscribe 😉.

Top 10 Products from The Ordinary – Dr. Dray (Pick the Best One for You)

Top 10 Products from The Ordinary – Dr. Dray

2020 has been all about skin care. People drifted a little away from makeup and more into skin care. YouTuber saw a rise in popularity of dermatologists like Dr. Dray, whose channel focusses on the best and the worst skin care products there are in the market. The Ordinary is one of the many popular skin care brands that the world witnessed in the last few years. The concept behind the brand is simply put – affordable skin care.

The Ordinary keeps the ingredients used in its skin care products transparent, the packaging simple, yet effective. The wide range of different skin care needs and the transparency of the ingredients makes it easy for consumers to pick and choose ones suitable to them. One bottle will last you a while!

I have a couple of other amazing retinol recommendations by Dr. Dray listed here.

The Ordinary – Keeping things Simple

When it comes to skin care, I always say, less is more. Any time that I have shown over enthusiasm with my skin care by using a ton of different products simultaneously, my skin has fought back with vengeance. The point being it is not recommended to use every skin care gem The Ordinary has to offer.

Pick one or two that would be best suited to your skin care needs. My sister got a consultation from The Ordinary’s customer care and they recommended way more products than anybody should need. Of course, they will try to sell their products as much as possible. So, how do you choose the best product for your skin? Dr. Dray, the popular dermatologist and her expertise have you covered!

The Best Products from The Ordinary

1. Natural Moisurizing Factors + HA

Looking for a radiant glow to your skin, while hydrating and facilitate skin barrier repair? This is a good recommendation by Dr. Dray. Moisturizer and sun screen are the two most important requirements for any skin, test this one out.

2. Marine Hyaluronics

Looking to plump off your skin, soothe out fine lines and wrinkles and hyperpigmentation? This is just the product for you.

3. Amino Acids +B5

Looking to hydrate the top dead layers of your skin? This product will help improve moisture retention of your skin and help with fine lines and wrinkles. The B5 is great for skin barrier recovery, which is required if you use a lot of products and notice irritation of your skin.

4. Buffet

Looking to boost up collagen in the deeper layers of your skin? This is the product for you. Dr. Dray’s personal favorite product from The Ordinary is fantastic to get rid of wrinkles and fine lines. It hydrates and helps reduce inflammation and irritation in the skin.

5. Caffein Solution +EGCG

Looking to reduce hyperpigmentation, morning puffiness or skin irritation? This is the one you should be looking for. This product can also help reduce dark circles, of course if the dark circles are genetic, no product will help but otherwise, it is a good product to include into your morning skincare routine.

6. Azelaic Acid Suspension

Looking to reduce acne, hyperpigmentation, melasma, rosacea? Do you have sensitive skin? This product is made for you! It is gentle and safe to use during pregnancy as well.

7. Salicylic Acid 2% Masque

Looking to reduce large pores, blackheads, acne, do you have oily skin? Here is the product you have been looking for. Use this once or twice a week to clean, dry skin and rinse it off after ten minutes.

8. AHA/BHA Peeling Solution

Looking to exfoliate your skin? Who isn’t! This is the product for you. This is the most popular of all The Ordinary products, probably because of the red color? Do not let the appearance fool you, this product works. Like the salicylic acid masque, this product is also applied to clean, dry skin and rinsed off after ten minutes. No more than once or twice a week!

9. Mandelic Acid 10% + HA

Looking to exfoliate your sensitive skin? Have a deeper skin tone? This product is a better choice for you than the AHA/BHA Peeling solution. Deeper skin tones might suffer from hyperpigmentation if the skin reacts with certain ingredients, this product will take care of that while smoothening out the skin.

10. Squalane Cleanser

Looking for a soap free cleanser for your oily skin? We have a winner! This product is great to remove makeup as well, super gentle and non greasy.

WRAPPING UP

There we have it, top ten best The Ordinary products recommended by our favorite dermatologist, Dr. Dray, here is a link to her video for reference. It is always better to take skin care advice from a certified dermatologist, you can be sure that they know what they are talking about. The Ordinary products are affordable but please do not proceed to use them all at once! Pick one or two to incorporate into your skin care routine, you will love them!