National Healthy Skin Month

By Dr. Elyse Love

It’s National Healthy Skin Month! Tips and Tricks on how to keep your skin healthy even as life gets busy

November is National Healthy Skin Month, and it’s the perfect time to learn how to care for your skin! Whether you’re interested in sun protection, keeping your skin hydrated, treating acne, or getting your first skin cancer screening, now is the great time to focus on your skin’s health.

Our skin is our largest organ, and when it’s not healthy, it can affect us physically and emotionally. Often times our skin can be impacted by factors such as stress, especially during the holidays where people are getting ready for the holidays and traveling. Below you can find some ways to make sure you prioritize your skincare during a busy season. After all, the goal is to help you feel confident and empowered to care for your skin.

Skincare can feel overwhelming, especially with so much information out there. So, let’s break it down to the basics!

How often should you shower?

Most people should shower 3-7 times a week. If you sweat often, aim for the higher end, and if you have dry skin or don’t sweat much, stick to the lower end. Make sure to shower after activities that cause heavy sweating, or when you start to notice body odor.

After showering, apply a high-quality moisturizer within 3 minutes. Look for ingredients like:

  • Glycerin
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Ceramides
  • Petrolatum

If you have dry skin, use thicker creams. People with eczema may benefit from applying an ointment like Vaseline Healing Jelly on top of their moisturizer. Moisturize daily—twice if you have dry skin, even on days you don’t shower.

Life can get busy, especially during the holiday season, and your skin care doesn’t need to be 10+ steps long. A simple routine of gentle cleansing and moisturizing can help prevent issues like dry skin, eczema, and even skin infections.

What about facial skincare?

Most people should wash their face once or twice a day, especially at night after being outdoors and removing their makeup before bed. If your skin is very sensitive, you can skip the morning cleanse and just apply moisturizer.

For different skin types:

  • Dry or sensitive skin: Use gel or cream cleansers and moisturizers
  • Oily skin: Foaming cleansers and lightweight gel moisturizers work best

If you’re dealing with acne, salicylic acid is a great option—it can be used as a cleanser, toner, or serum, but stick to just one product with it. Benzoyl peroxide is helpful for red, inflamed acne and can also be used for body acne.

Protecting your skin from the sun

Sun damage is one of the biggest threats to healthy skin, causing wrinkles, dark spots, and even skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen with:

  • Broad-spectrum protection
  • SPF of 30 or higher
  • Daily application on any exposed skin

If using sunscreen every day feels like too much, try starting with a facial lotion that includes SPF. For days when you’re in the sun a lot—like at the beach—use a dedicated sunscreen and reapply it every 2 hours or after swimming.

The role of diet and exercise

What you eat and how you move impacts your skin, too. A diet rich in antioxidants (like the Mediterranean diet) can help your skin repair itself, while too much sugar can speed up aging. Exercise boosts circulation, bringing nutrients to your skin, but always cleanse and moisturize afterward to avoid breakouts or worsening skin conditions.

If you’re still struggling with skin issues after trying these basics, don’t worry—you’re not alone. For those seeking free resources you can visit SeeMySkin.com to learn more about how to treat common skin conditions. Alternatively, seeing a board-certified dermatologist can help you create a customized plan for your skin (p.s. you can find one on Vaseline and HUED’s SeeMySkin directory of inclusive derms, here!). Keep in mind that it can take time to learn what works best for your skin.

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