1. They use products for their skin type. Dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., has dry skin, so she uses a moisturizing cleanser and the super-hydrating ATOPALM MLE Face Cream both day and night, she writes on her Yahoo! Health blog The Skin Guru. During the day, she adds a lotion that contains SPF 15. Layering her moisturizers gives Dr. Baumann an extra dose of hydration, which is perfect for her parched skin type.

At night, dermatologist Diane Berson, M.D., uses the Clarisonic cleansing brush to thoroughly clean her skin without any side effects, she tells Prevention magazine. Debra Jaliman, another dermatologist who also uses the brush, tells the magazine, “It's less irritating than using a washcloth or harsh exfoliators, and it may remove more debris from pores than manual cleansing.” According to New York City dermatologist, Arielle Kauvar, M.D., in Real Simple, the cleansing brush may also be the gentlest way to physically exfoliate the skin.

2. They stick to what works for them. Not only do our skin types differ, but how we choose to create our routines do, too. Just because certain products and techniques are helpful doesn’t mean they’ll work with your schedule. Plus, maybe you prefer less fuss with fewer products.

Washington D.C. dermatologist Tina Alster, M.D., has more time in the morning, so she applies her active ingredients following a shower and before makeup, she tells Real Simple. Then, at night, she keeps it simple by only using makeup remover and moisturizer.

3. They change their products according to the seasons. The summertime, according to Dr. Baumann, is all about reducing incidental UV exposure – the walk to your car and mailbox count! So she suggests dual-purpose products that protect against the sun and contain antioxidants. In fact, according to the research, you may be able to reverse signs of sun damage if you wear a sunscreen with antioxidants like vitamin C, says dermatologist Mary H. Lien, M.D., who’s also a melanoma specialist at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, in Tampa, in Real Simple.

When it comes to cleansers, Dr. Baumann uses a gentle foaming formula that doesn’t strip her skin but still gives it a thorough clean. However, some foaming cleansers can dry out the skin, so be careful when picking out your product.

When it’s wintertime, Dr. Kauvar chooses creamier products because the weather can irritate and dry out the skin, she tells Real Simple. For her creamy cleanser, Dr. Kauvar uses SkinCeuticals Cleansing Cream, which contains alpha hydroxy acids to slough off dead skin cells for healthier skin. Then, she follows with Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30. This double-duty product gives Dr. Kauvar a dose of hydration and sun protection. When she hits the slopes and needs extra sun protection, Dr. Kauvar ups the SPF to 70, and uses a sunscreen that contains Helioplex. When added to the ingredient avobenzone, Helioplex provides longer-lasting UVA protection.

4. They use retinoids. According to Francesca Fusco, in Prevention, “It's medically proven that retinoids are the strongest thing you can use to slow the aging process—they diminish fine lines, increase cell turnover to give a youthful glow, and lighten brown spots." Plus, retinoids help to thicken skin and even prevent basal and squamous cell skin cancers, Amy Wechsler, M.D., dermatologist and author of The Mind-Beauty Connection, tells Total Beauty.

Dr. Baumann swears by Tazorac, a prescription-strength retinoid, which she uses regularly. Dr. Kauvar uses Tazorac, too, or Retin-A Micro. Because Dr. Wechsler has super-sensitive skin, she applies the lowest strength retinoid and doesn’t use it daily, she tells Total Beauty.

5. They apply sunscreen, rain or shine and all the time. “From January to December, rain or shine, and regardless of ethnicity, use sunblock every day,” New Jersey dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D., tells Real Simple. In fact, “We receive more than eighty percent of our sun damage from just living life, not lying out at the beach,” Ranella Hirsch, M.D., president elect of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, tells Cooking Light.

For daily protection, some dermatologists rely on double-duty products. For instance, for everyday wear, Dr. Baumann uses a moisturizer with SPF. However, if Dr. Baumann is spending a good amount of time outside, she skips the SPF moisturizer and goes for heavy-duty protection by applying a physical sunscreen and a chemical one. Physical sunscreens reflect light and usually contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, whereas chemical sunscreens absorb light. An example of a chemical ingredient is avobenzone. According to Dr. Baumann, using both a physical and chemical formula is “the best way to protect skin in sunny environments.”

6. They use antioxidant-rich formulas. Whether they come in moisturizers or serums, antioxidants are must-haves in most dermatologists’ anti-aging arsenals. That’s because they neutralize skin-damaging free radicals. Dermatologists use formulas with vitamin C, E, green tea and idebenone. On a side note, while idebenone is a powerful antioxidant, it might be too irritating for some skin types.

Many dermatologists love SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Acid, an antioxidant-rich serum that boosts collagen. Both Dr. Baumann and dermatologist Audrey Kunin, M.D., extol its benefits, using the formula regularly. In general, Dr. Baumann suggests splurging on an antioxidant serum, which delivers concentrated nutrients to the skin.

Topix Replenix Cream CF is another anti-aging treatment that many dermatologists use. It’s derived from green tea and is designed for sensitive skin.

7. They like budget-savers, too. Dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, M.D., counts petroleum jelly as her go-to remedy, which she uses on everything from her lips to her feet. Plus, she uses it to remove her makeup and to prevent cuts from scabbing.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, here are a few other budget-friendly tips: Avoid letting 12 hours go by without using some treatment on your skin; to maximize your moisturizer, apply it right after you cleanse or shower; use double-duty products; and to get the most out of your money, look for anti-aging formulas with vitamin A and alpha hydroxy acids.

8. They take an all-over approach. Dermatologist Howard Murad, M.D., takes a lifestyle approach to anti-aging. He eats healthfully, wears sunscreen and exercises regularly. When it comes to a skin-nutritious diet, rather than drinking lots of water per day, Dr. Murad suggests eating three or more servings of raw fruits, and five or more servings of veggies. He tells Total Beauty that fruits and veggies provide antioxidants vital to skin and have anti-inflammatory benefits.

Dr. Wechsler reaches for antioxidant-filled fruits, dark chocolate and tons of green tea to protect her skin from free radical-damage.

Dr. Fusco makes time for exercise, which has both health and skincare benefits. "My circulation is stimulated. I feel great. I truly notice that when I don't exercise, my skin doesn't look as good," she tells Prevention.

9. They take their age into account. When it comes to makeup, Dr. Kunin takes a simple, minimalist approach. She tells Total Beauty that she wears less makeup and avoids powder formulas, which she explains add years to her appearance. Instead, she applies sunscreen and blush along with a lip product and eye shadow.

When Dr. Kunin breaks out, rather than using teenage treatments, she uses Azelex, an anti-aging cream that contains 20 percent azeliac acid and is only available by prescription. She tells Prevention magazine that the reason she uses this product is because it’s “less drying and irritating than adolescent acne meds like benzoyl peroxide.”

10. They use weekly treatments. Weekly formulas can really benefit the skin. Ava Shamban, M.D., founder of the Laser Institute for Dermatology and European Skincare in California, uses Exuviance Rejuvenating Treatment Masque once a week, she tells Cooking Light. Because it contains alpha and polyhydroxy acids, the mask helps to exfoliate the skin without stripping it of moisture.

Once a week, Dr. Kauvar includes a purifying mask to remove dead skin and debris. “Any mask or gentle scrub used correctly will take away grime and help your skin better absorb the products that you put on,” she says in Real Simple.

For radiant skin, peels are another treatment that dermatologists praise because these products improve skin texture and tone. Dermatologist Mary Lupo, M.D., opts for Philosophy Microdelivery Peel, which sloughs off dead skin while delivering vitamin C to the skin.

Dermatologists have plenty of skincare know-how, so it’s great to take a look at their routines, and it provides us with some important lessons for our skin. Still, remember that an effective skincare routine is made up of products that complement your specific skin type. So for insight from a variety of top-notch dermatologists on what to do for your skin, see our article on skincare secrets from the pros.

See also:

10 Skincare and Makeup Secrets from Top Beauty Pros

10 Skincare Secrets from Dermatologists Revealed

5 Reasons to Try Retinoids

Sunscreens that Save Your Skin and Your Wallet