New Year, New You: 7 Skincare Resolutions for a Glowing 2024

For this blog post, we thought we’d summarize top skincare advice that Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, a board-certified dermatologist and Skincare Junkie creator, gave in multiple recent media interviews. What are the top 7 dermatologist’s tips that skincare junkies can apply in 2024? 

Know Your Ingredients 

Don’t just trust the brand name or beauty influencers. Do your research and understand the ingredients in the skincare products that you are using and their effects on your skin. Dr. Murphy-Rose advises to opt for clinically proven ingredients that are suitable for your type of skin, your skin concerns, and also are age-appropriate. 

This information was not easily available before and required time and effort to find and digest. Now, you can use online resources like INCI Decoder or AI tools like Chat GPT or Google Bard — type in a product name, and you should get a summary description of each ingredient and their safety assessment. With AI, use a prompt — ask it to review the ingredients of your product, flag the potentially problematic ones, and explain whether they are suitable for your skin type. 

Also, follow dermatologists like Dr. Murphy-Rose and learn which skincare ingredients to avoid and which ones to opt for. Some dermatologists also have their own skincare lines, like Skincare Junkie by Dr. Murphy-Rose. With Skincare Junkie, she wanted to create non-compromising skincare that would be safe, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, free from questionable ingredients, and help her customers achieve healthy, beautiful skin without causing any harm or irritation. 

Say “Non” to Comedogenic 

Is your skin prone to breakouts? If you have acne-prone, sensitive skin, opt for non-comedogenic products. It sounds like a magic spell from Harry Potter, but non-comedogenic just means it won't clog your pores. 

Look for oil-free formulations made without silicones. Those containing acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid may be especially helpful for preventing clogged pores. Avoid oils, lanolin, talc, parabens, and fragrance, as these can clog pores and trigger inflammation. 

Check the skincare products that you already use also. In particular, double check your Vitamin C serum. 

Vitamin C is a well-known and well-documented antioxidant with anti-aging, collagen-boosting, and skin-brightening benefits. It is an essential vitamin that we cannot synthesize in our bodies, so we need to apply it topically. However, due to poor shelf stability, Vitamin C is often formulated with Vitamin E, or tocopherol, to extend its shelf life. And tocopherol is highly comedogenic and can lead to breakouts. 

Simplify Your Routine 

Skincare routine does not need to be difficult or expensive. A simple but effective 4-step routine can include a gentle cleanser, effective toner, eye cream, and non-comedogenic moisturizer packed with antioxidants. 

A lot of the time, you pay for quality skincare. Some ingredients are expensive, and product research and development takes a lot of work. However, at the same time, many skincare products are sold at inflated prices. In fact, often most expensive products have good budget alternatives (or skincare dupes as they are known on social media). 

Gently Jelly Cleansing  

As every skincare junkie knows, a healthy skin routine starts with cleansing. But there are so many cleansers, which one to choose? 

Dr. Murphy-Rose recommends using a pH-balancing, gentle gel cleanser, which exfoliates effectively, while moisturizing. Skincare Junkie Gently Jelly Facial Cleanser that Dr. Murphy-Rose formulated cleans skin gently but efficiently without stripping it and causing dryness or irritation. Its pH-balanced formula is rich in ceramides to reduce irritation and support skin barrier. It removes makeup, sunscreen, pollution, excess oil and helps prevent breakouts.  

Exfoliate Smart, Not Hard 

Exfoliation helps to remove the dead outer skin cells that can contribute to pore clogging. It keeps skin clear, prevents breakouts, and reduces the depth of pores, which can make them less visible and less likely to trap debris. 

Dr. Murphy-Rose recommends gentle exfoliation and choosing the right product. Chemical exfoliation with acids and enzymes is considered superior to manual exfoliation (like abrasive scrubs or loofahs) — the latter can increase inflammation and cause micro skin injuries. 

The best way to clear clogged pores is with a product containing salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), which dissolves sebum and oil deep inside pores and exfoliates pore-clogging surface skin cells. Such products are excellent for keeping pores clear and treating blackheads that are already there. Facial cleansers typically contain salicylic acid in concentrations between 0.5 and two percent. The right concentration depends on one’s skin's sensitivity. 

Dr. Murphy-Rose designed Skincare Junkie Pore Therapy Daily Toner Pads with the perfect concentration of salicylic acid and fruit enzymes to gently exfoliate skin, minimizing the appearance of pores and preventing breakouts, even on sensitive skin. Why pads? The ingredients and acid concentrations are less potent — treating the skin with a gentler product every day tends to be safer than using a stronger product less frequently. 

Supercharge Your Moisturizer 

Dr. Murphy-Rose recommends using an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer packed with antioxidants and clinically proven anti-aging ingredients. During winter, in particular, it is essential to use a well-hydrating cream overnight to lock in the moisture and combat the harsh winter effects on the skin. 

Dr. Murphy-Rose was not able to find a moisturizer that fit the bill, so she created one. Skincare Junkie Megadose Super Antioxidant Face Moisturizer is a deeply hydrating, non-comedogenic, silky formulation that is packed with 10 antioxidants and combines a moisturizer and a powerful serum. 

Powered by a clinically tested blend of Coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, vitamin C, and green tea, it helps protect the skin, prevent signs of skin aging, and create a brighter complexion. Ingredients like Centella asiatica (cica) and Camellia sinensis reduce redness and inflammation, soothe skin, and promote collagen formation. Hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates and plumps, while squalane and ceramides support the skin barrier. 

And the packaging is so cute, moisturizing daily is fun, not a chore! Did we mention that Elle called Skincare Junkie Megadose Super Antioxidant Face Moisturizer the best antioxidant moisturizer? 

Keep the Sun Away 

A critical step in any skincare routine, Dr. Murphy-Rose advocates for the use of mineral (as opposed to chemical) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher daily, irrespective of the weather. Mineral sunscreen contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and is effective at protecting the skin while feeling light and blending easily without a white cast. It also sits on the skin rather than sip into it, like chemical sunscreens do. 

Use sunscreens as a standalone product rather than mixed into moisturizers or cosmetics, as this dilutes their effectiveness. Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses for additional protection against UV rays and limit time in the sun, especially during peak hours. 

If you already have skin damage, you are not alone. In response to her patient needs, Dr. Murphy-Rose developed and just launched Skincare Junkie Discoloration Fade Wand. Our magic wand helps treat a variety of hyperpigmentation issues — sun spots, post-acne marks, melasma, discoloration, dark spots, brown marks, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. We’ve just restocked, get yours while stocks last, and use it as part of your Skincare Junkie routine.