‘I’ve Been a Dermatologist for 20 Years, and These Are the 3 Ingredients I Use Every Day’

Dr. King’s absolute must-have, above all else, is sunscreen. “I use zinc oxide [a key ingredient in SPF] for sun protection every single day,” she says. There are so many dermatologist-approved sunblocks to choose from, so finding the best one for you comes down to your skin type. But this much is clear: have a solid SPF in your routine, every day, without fail. It’s clinically proven to prevent skin cancer and signs of aging, making it well worth the 10 seconds it takes to apply every a.m.

Long considered the ‘little black dress’ of your skincare cabinet, Dr. King uses a vitamin C serum on her skin every single morning. “Vitamin C (and other antioxidants) helps to protect my skin from free radicals,” she says. Free radicals are known to cause oxidative stress, which leads to signs of aging, and vitamin C effectively gobbles them up before they can do any damage. Plus, beyond these health benefits, it can also help brighten your complexion.

As for evening non-negotiables, a solid retinol is key. “I use retinoids at bedtime to increase collagen production, decrease discoloration, and decrease acne,” says Dr. King. Retinol has absolutely exploded in popularity in the past few years, triggering some facial FOMO for those who have yet to experience its glory. But the derms have spoken: it’s cell-turnover-stimulating prowess is legit, and they love it for treating all sorts of different skin issues. If it’s good enough for Dr. King, it’s good enough for me.