Expert Skincare Tips: St. Ives Q&A with Dr. Marsha Gordon

As the weather gets warmer, my breakouts and irritation become worse. To keep my skin acne-free all year round, should I be adjusting my regimen as the seasons change?

While many women need to adjust their skin care regimen as the seasons change, this can be especially true for women with acne-prone or oily skin. Your regimen that worked in the winter may leave skin feeling oily and clogged during the warmer months. In the spring, I recommend switching to a light, oil-free moisturizer and using a cleanser and scrub to help remove dead skin cells and keep pores clear. I personally like the new St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Cleanser and Scrub (image above), which contain a safe concentration of Salicylic Acid to effectively fight blemishes and reduce redness, while 100% natural Green Tea soothes skin.

How can I balance protecting my skin with sunscreen and getting enough Vitamin D exposure?

While ultraviolet radiation from the sun has been linked to skin cancer and premature aging, many women think sun exposure is necessary for adequate Vitamin D. In truth, women do not need to rely on the sun for Vitamin D and can easily achieve their recommended daily value with a proper diet and daily supplement. It’s also imperative for women to protect their skin from sun damage by avoiding direct sun exposure and by using a daily SPF of 15 or greater.

Dr. Marsha Gordon

When I exfoliate my face, how much pressure is too much? How about when I exfoliate my body?

Everyone’s skin is different, but gentle is the key word when exfoliating. Gentle pressure should give you a pleasant, invigorating feeling. If you feel discomfort, or if exfoliation results in red, irritated skin, you need to lighten up the pressure. It’s always better to start mild and increase pressure slowly over time once you know what your skin can comfortably handle. If that still does not work for you, try using a gentler exfoliator, like St. Ives Sensitive Skin Gentle Apricot Scrub. This mild scrub is formulated for sensitive skin and can be used every day by most people.