Daily skin rejuvenation routine

By Dr. Zeena Nawas, MD, FAAD, FACMS

Morning routine.

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  1. Wash your face with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser and lukewarm water. Pat your skin dry. Avoid scrubbing or using cleansing brushes, which may cause unnecessary irritation.
  2. Vitamin C serum: apply 4 to 5 drops to clean, dry skin. Over the face, neck and upper chest. Avoid the immediate eye area.
  3. Allow the serum to absorb before applying the next product. Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection against free radicals produced by UV exposure and environmental stressors.
  4. If recommended: azelaic acid 15 to 20%: apply a thin layer to the face, as directed by your provider. Allow it to absorb before applying moisturizer.
  5. Optional: moisturizer, as needed: gentle and fragrance-free. A lightweight lotion or gel if your skin is oily or acne-prone. A richer cream if it is dry or sensitive.
  6. Tinted sunscreen: a generous, even layer, as the final step of your morning routine. Cover the entire face, hairline, ears, neck, upper chest and other exposed areas.

  1. Gentle cleanser

    Wash your face with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser and lukewarm water. Pat your skin dry.

    Avoid scrubbing or using cleansing brushes, which may cause unnecessary irritation.

  2. Vitamin C antioxidant serum

    Apply 4 to 5 drops to clean, dry skin over the face, neck, and upper chest. Avoid the immediate eye area.

    Allow the serum to absorb before applying the next product.

    WhyVitamin C provides antioxidant protection against free radicals produced by UV exposure and environmental stressors. With consistent use, it may help improve brightness, uneven skin tone, and the appearance of fine lines.

    ExamplesSkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, Trader Joe's Vitamin C serum.

  3. Azelaic acid 15 to 20%If recommended

    Apply a thin layer to the face as directed by your provider. Allow it to absorb before applying moisturizer.

    WhyAzelaic acid can help improve uneven skin tone, calm redness and inflammation, keep acne-prone skin clear, and improve overall skin clarity.

  4. MoisturizerOptional

    Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer as needed. Choose a lightweight lotion or gel if your skin is oily or acne-prone, or a richer cream if your skin is dry or sensitive.

    ExamplesLa Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Baume.

  5. Tinted sunscreen

    Apply a generous, even layer as the final step of your morning routine.

    Apply sunscreen every morning, including on cloudy days. Cover the entire face, hairline, ears, neck, upper chest, and other exposed areas.

    How to choose and reapply sunscreen

Next: evening routine

Morning routine

Tinted sunscreen.

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  1. Choose broad-spectrum: protection against both UVA and UVB rays. SPF primarily measures UVB protection, so the words "broad spectrum" are just as important as the SPF number.
  2. SPF 30 or higher. Preferably mineral and preferably tinted, in a color and texture you will enjoy using every day.
  3. Iron oxides in tinted sunscreen provide additional protection against visible light. Visible light can contribute to persistent discoloration and uneven skin tone, particularly in medium and deeper skin tones.
  4. The tint can also provide immediate cosmetic coverage for areas of redness or uneven pigmentation.
  5. Apply sunscreen every morning, including on cloudy days. Cover the entire face, hairline, ears, neck, upper chest and other exposed areas.
  6. Reapply approximately every two hours when outdoors. And after swimming, heavy sweating or toweling the skin.
  7. The best sunscreen is one that provides excellent protection and that you will use consistently.

  1. Choose your sunscreen

    Choose a sunscreen that provides:

    • Broad-spectrum, which means protection against both UVA and UVB
    • SPF 30 or higher
    • Preferably mineral, which contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide
    • Preferably tinted, which contains iron oxides
    • A color and texture you will enjoy using every day

    WhyBroad spectrum means that the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. SPF primarily measures UVB protection, so the words "broad spectrum" are just as important as the SPF number.

    ExamplesEltaMD UV AOX Elements, Eucerin Sun Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 35, Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex.

  2. Why we often recommend tinted sunscreen

    Iron oxides in tinted sunscreen provide additional protection against visible light. Visible light can contribute to persistent discoloration and uneven skin tone, particularly in medium and deeper skin tones.

    The tint can also provide immediate cosmetic coverage for areas of redness or uneven pigmentation.

  3. Apply it every morning

    Apply sunscreen every morning, including on cloudy days. Cover the entire face, hairline, ears, neck, upper chest, and other exposed areas.

  4. Reapply

    Reapply approximately every two hours when outdoors and after swimming, heavy sweating, or toweling the skin.

    The best sunscreen is one that provides excellent protection and that you will use consistently.

Back to the morning routine

Evening routine.

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  1. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Pat the skin dry. This removes sunscreen, makeup, oil and the day's buildup.
  2. Azelaic acid or tretinoin: alternate nights while starting. Begin tretinoin one or two nights per week for a month, and increase gradually as tolerated.
  3. Tretinoin nights: apply a pea-sized amount of tretinoin, only after your skin is completely dry. Avoid the eyelids and the corners of the nose and mouth.
  4. Other nights: use azelaic acid if your skin tolerates it. Once your skin is consistently comfortable, azelaic acid and tretinoin may be used in the same evening routine.
  5. Moisturizer: apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer after tretinoin.
  6. Optional: dry or sensitive skin? You may use the moisturizer sandwich method. A thin layer of moisturizer, your pea-sized amount of tretinoin, then another layer of moisturizer.

  1. Gentle cleanser

    Wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove sunscreen, makeup, oil, and the day's buildup. Pat the skin dry. Apply tretinoin only after your skin is completely dry.

  2. Azelaic acid or tretinoinAlternate nights while starting

    Tretinoin nights: Apply a pea-sized amount to completely dry skin. Avoid the eyelids and the corners of the nose and mouth. Begin one or two nights per week for a month and increase gradually as tolerated. Not everyone needs to use tretinoin every night to receive benefits.

    Other nights: Use azelaic acid if your skin tolerates it.

    Once your skin is consistently comfortable, azelaic acid and tretinoin may be used in the same evening routine.

    Mild dryness, flaking, or redness may occur when you begin treatment. Significant irritation is not the goal. If irritation develops:

    • Use tretinoin less frequently
    • Apply additional moisturizer
    • Avoid other irritating products
    • Contact our office if the reaction is significant or persistent

  3. Moisturizer

    Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer after tretinoin. For dry or sensitive skin, you may use the moisturizer sandwich method:

    1. Apply a thin layer of moisturizer
    2. Apply your pea-sized amount of tretinoin
    3. Apply another layer of moisturizer

    Applying moisturizer before tretinoin may reduce irritation without eliminating its benefits.

Next: important tips

Important tips.

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  1. Starting a completely new routine? Begin with cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen.
  2. Once your skin is comfortable, add one active product at a time. Consider waiting one to two weeks before introducing the next, so you can identify how your skin responds.
  3. While using tretinoin, avoid these. Unless specifically recommended by your provider. Facial scrubs, cleansing brushes, harsh exfoliating treatments, glycolic or other alpha-hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, alcohol-based toners, astringents, and waxing treated areas.
  4. If irritation develops: use tretinoin less frequently, apply additional moisturizer and avoid other irritating products. Contact our office if the reaction is significant or persistent.
  5. Tretinoin can make treated skin more susceptible to irritation and sunburn. Vitamin C provides additional antioxidant support, but it does not replace sunscreen.
  6. Early improvements may become noticeable within 8 to 12 weeks. More meaningful improvement often requires six months or longer of consistent use.
  7. Do not use tretinoin if you are pregnant, attempting to become pregnant or planning pregnancy. Stop tretinoin and contact your dermatologist if you become pregnant. Ask your dermatologist before using it while breastfeeding.

  1. Introduce products gradually

    When starting a completely new routine, begin with:

    1. Cleanser
    2. Moisturizer
    3. Sunscreen

    Once your skin is comfortable, add one active product at a time. Consider waiting one to two weeks before introducing the next active product so you can identify how your skin responds.

  2. Avoid unnecessary irritation

    While using tretinoin, avoid the following unless specifically recommended by your provider:

    • Facial scrubs
    • Cleansing brushes
    • Harsh exfoliating treatments
    • Glycolic or other alpha-hydroxy acids
    • Salicylic acid
    • Alcohol-based toners
    • Astringents
    • Waxing treated areas

    Stop or reduce products that repeatedly burn, sting, or significantly irritate your skin.

    Mild dryness, flaking, or redness may occur when you begin treatment. Significant irritation is not the goal. If irritation develops:

    • Use tretinoin less frequently
    • Apply additional moisturizer
    • Avoid other irritating products
    • Contact our office if the reaction is significant or persistent

  3. Protect your skin from the sun

    Tretinoin can make treated skin more susceptible to irritation and sunburn. Vitamin C provides additional antioxidant support, but it does not replace sunscreen. Daily sunscreen protects your skin and helps preserve the benefits of your routine.

    How to choose and reapply sunscreen

  4. Be patient and consistent

    Early improvements in brightness, smoothness, or texture may become noticeable within 8 to 12 weeks. More meaningful improvement in fine lines, discoloration, and overall skin quality often requires six months or longer of consistent use.

  5. Pregnancy and breastfeeding

    Do not use tretinoin if you are pregnant, attempting to become pregnant, or planning pregnancy. Stop tretinoin and contact your dermatologist if you become pregnant. Ask your dermatologist before using tretinoin while breastfeeding.

Back to the morning routine

At a glance.

Consistency matters more than using many products. This routine is designed to protect your skin from daily environmental damage, improve tone and texture, support collagen, and maintain a healthy skin barrier. Print the routine (PDF).

Morning

  1. Gentle cleanser
  2. Vitamin C serum
  3. Azelaic acid, if recommended
  4. Moisturizer, if needed
  5. Tinted broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher

Evening

  1. Gentle cleanser
  2. Tretinoin and/or azelaic acid
  3. Moisturizer

When to contact us.

Questions about your routine? Message Dr. Nawas directly through the patient portal (practice code VI49), or call the office at (346) 696-3376.

Please contact our office if you experience significant or persistent burning, redness, swelling, itching, peeling, or a rash. Your routine may need to be temporarily adjusted before or after laser treatments, chemical peels, waxing, or other procedures. Follow the individualized instructions provided by our office.

Sources.

This is the routine Dr. Nawas gives her patients at ZN Dermatology. These sources support its points on sunscreen and tretinoin.

  • American Academy of Dermatology. How to apply sunscreen. Last updated August 15, 2025. Broad-spectrum protection, SPF 30 or higher, tinted sunscreen with iron oxide, and reapplying every two hours when outdoors. General guidance for the public, not individual advice.
  • Lyons AB, Trullas C, Kohli I, Hamzavi IH, Lim HW. Photoprotection beyond ultraviolet radiation: a review of tinted sunscreens. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2021;84(5):1393-1397. Iron oxides in tinted sunscreen and protection against visible light. A review of earlier studies, not a clinical trial; one author is employed by a sunscreen maker and others report ties to skin care companies.
  • Tretinoin cream USP, 0.025%: prescribing information. DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Updated July 30, 2026. Keeping tretinoin away from the eyes, the mouth and the angles of the nose, and the greater sensitivity of treated skin to the sun. This label covers acne treatment only.

This page is general information, not medical advice, and does not create a doctor-patient relationship.

Next step

Ready when you are.

Tretinoin is a prescription medication, and the right routine depends on your skin. At a consultation Dr. Nawas examines your skin and recommends the routine that fits it.

Schedule a consultation Or call (346) 696-3376

New to ZN Dermatology? Book a consultation. If you would like treatment the same day, add a note when you book and we will set aside the time.