Miami’s Must-Have Products for Healthy Skin
The optimal skincare product lineup for glowing, healthy skin in Miami’s hot and humid climate.
May 17, 2024
Miami’s hot and humid weather can pose a real challenge in achieving vibrant, glowing skin. In addition to aesthetic treatments, a medical-grade skincare routine can prevent sun damage and keep skin hydrated and healthy.
I moved to Miami from New York six weeks ago, and I’ve outlined my favorite products for this beautiful but tough climate below to help you optimize your personal skincare journey!
A mineral-based physical sunscreen is an absolute must for the long, sunny days in Miami. The best sunscreen is the one you will actually wear! My skin tends to be pretty picky, so I always opt for the ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica mineral sunscreen. This formula contains enzymes that are clinically proven to repair existing sun damage—a concern for myself and most of my patients! I love this SPF because it is lightweight enough to wear over my skincare products and under makeup, and is water resistant to get me through my freediving trips.
I recommend a gentle cleanser for daily use. Consistently sun-exposed skin can greatly benefit from a soothing cleanse rather than routine exfoliation. For this, the JECT Gentle Cleanser continues to be my holy grail. I have used many cleansers on the market and this is still my favorite. I use this cleanser every single day, morning and night. Added vitamins re-vitalize my skin while green tea extract soothes the skin and neutralizes redness. I love this cleanser for Miami’s climate! It is also my go-to product after any invasive procedure, including BBL/Moxi, RF microneedling, and CO2 laser resurfacing treatments.
In terms of exfoliation, an exfoliating cleanser or exfoliating pads are useful to remove dead skin cells, promote blood flow and collagen production, improve the appearance of fine lines and increase product absorption. It is important to note that certain acids can make your skin very sensitive to sun exposure, so if you are exfoliating, daily sunscreen (and reapplication!) is an absolute must.
The JECT AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser is my go-to to unclog pores and remove a buildup of sand, dirt, and oil from outdoor workouts and beach days. I use this every other night to maintain smooth and clear skin.
The number one active ingredient your serum should contain in Miami is vitamin C. It is an antioxidant that protects against oxidative stress and free radicals caused by sun exposure. It is also a brightening agent and can help combat hyperpigmentation with consistent use.
The ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican Serum is my favorite vitamin C-containing serum. It has a combination of Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid that hydrates the skin and provides a radiant glow. I also love that these are packaged in individual vials, which prevents the vitamin C from oxidizing with exposure to the air. (If your vitamin C serum is brown, that might be an indicator that it has oxidized during production or in its packaging, which can decrease the efficacy of the product).
If you are already dealing with some sun damage like I am (thank you Irish skin!), adding products with azelaic acid and hydroquinone can brighten hyperpigmentation. Azelaic acid also reduces redness and inflammation associated with rosacea, which can be a frequent skin concern in the Miami heat. I love using the Glytone Enhance Brightening Serum at nighttime. It is gentle enough for daily use and improves redness and dark spots for a bright and even skin tone.
Most people, regardless of climate, benefit from using a moisturizer morning and night. Finding a product that is hydrating enough for daily use but light enough for the Miami heat can be a bit difficult! The JECT Peptide Restorative Moisturizer has been key for me in maintaining a healthy skin barrier here. It is fortified with ceramides, peptides and hydrators to nourish skin, and antioxidants protect against oxidative damage from the sun. As a bonus, peptides increase skin elasticity, firmness and collagen, which reduces the appearance of fine lines. It is light enough to use in the morning and perfect to seal in my other products at nighttime.
For my patients with rosacea, I recommend adding the JECT Triple Antioxidant Cream before moisturizing. It contains powerful antioxidants that calm inflammation and soothe the skin, while caffeine and green tea reduce redness and irritation. For patients with oily skin, this is a perfect stand-alone moisturizer for Miami’s humidity!
Retinol is amazingly beneficial. Although it is safe to use year-round and in any climate, daily sunscreen use is important if incorporating this product into your skincare routine. For those patients who are dedicated to sun protection, retinol is a game-changer for skin texture! My favorite is the JECT Concentrated Retinol with Bakuchiol 5x or 10x. This serum treats hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, pores and blemishes. The added bakuchiol reduces redness, irritation and dryness that can commonly be caused by retinol. If new to your routine, start twice per week at nighttime and slowly increase to every other night or nightly use.
If you have any questions about what specific products would be best for your skin type and routine, I highly recommend booking a consultation with one of our providers!
