Dermatologist Reveals the Skincare Ingredient Combo She Uses Every Day for Flawless Skin

Building a skincare routine can feel daunting with so many lotions, creams and serums to choose from.In today’s “maxxing” culture, it may be tempting to use as many skincare products and active ingredients as possible to maximize results. However, you don’t need a 10-step skincare routine for healthy, clear skin.“The secret to great skincare isn’t using more products; it’s using the right ingredients together,” Dr. Michelle Henry, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan, tells TODAY.com.There’s one combination Henry swears by every morning to keep her skin healthy and flawless.Dermatologist Tip of the Day: Combine Vitamin C and Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen for Healthy, Flawless Skin“The skincare combination I use every day is vitamin C and broad-spectrum sunscreen,” says Henry. Henry prefers to use a vitamin C serum, followed by a tinted mineral sunscreen.“Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection and helps with uneven tone, and sunscreen helps prevent UV damage and preserve collagen,” says Henry.Most dermatologists recommend using face sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30 and provides broad-spectrum protection, which means it protects against UVA and UVB rays. “I consider Vitamin C the insurance for my sunscreen; it will squelch any free radicals my sunscreen didn’t prevent,” she adds.An extra step Henry likes to add to her routine is hyaluronic acid — which can be used in the morning or at night — to lock in moisture and keep her skin hydrated.Why It Matters“One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming that if one active ingredient is good, five must be better,” says Henry.However, combining too many skincare products can actually wind up harming the skin.“Overloading your skin with powerful ingredients can actually work against you. More skincare doesn’t always mean better skin,” says Henry. Combining certain acids or chemical exfoliants with retinoids, for example, can irritate or weaken the skin barrier, or the outermost layer of cells on our face. The best skincare combinations — like vitamin C and broad-spectrum SPF — target different skin concerns and deliver results while keeping the skin barrier strong and healthy, says Henry.“Skincare is about how intelligently you combine ingredients. The right ingredients can complement each other, helping you get better results without compromising your skin’s health,” she adds.How to Get StartedWhen choosing skincare products, make sure you do a patch test on your arm first to make sure you don’t have a reaction to any of the ingredients. Once you find a vitamin C serum and sunscreen that work for you, strategically layer them in the morning before you go outside and expose your skin to UV rays and free radicals. Wash your face with your cleanser of choice.Apply a layer of vitamin C serum to the face and let it dry.If using hyaluronic acid, apply a thin layer to the skin and wait until it absorbs.Seal everything in with your favorite moisturizer. Finish by applying a quarter-size dollop of broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and let it absorb completely. TODAY’s Expert Tip of the Day series is all about simple strategies to make life a little easier. Every Monday through Friday, different qualified experts share their best advice on diet, fitness, heart health, mental wellness and more.