A dermatologist shares her 5 step anti-aging skincare routine, including her favorite products

• Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose is a dermatologist practicing in New York City.
• She spoke to Insider about the anti-aging skincare regimen she follows every day and night.
• She uses products like retinol cream and SPF 50 tinted sunscreen to protect and restore her skin.

There's no shortage of anti-aging products and procedures on the market. You can try anti-wrinkle serums and eye creams, face-taping, Baby Botox, and, if all else fails, consult an AI chatbot for more recommendations.

But when every new trend claims that it is the best at keeping your face looking firm and line-free, it's hard to know where to actually invest your money. So Insider decided to go straight to the source and ask a dermatologist about their own personal routine. 

Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, 39, is a dermatologist practicing in New York City. She told Insider that her skincare regimen varies a lot as she's always testing out new products. Still, there are some staples she stands by. Here are the five steps she follows to protect and restore her skin. 

Cleanse with a pH-balancing formula to keep skin soft

A cleanser Murphy-Rose loves is Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser, which she said is "pH-balanced and contains glycolic acid to gently exfoliate."

It works as a chemical exfoliant to remove dead skin, and it also includes moisturizing elements to keep skin from drying or breaking out.

Apply a tinted sunscreen or moisturizer

Murphy-Rose said one of her go-to daily sunscreens is SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion SPF 50. It's a mineral sunscreen with physically blocking UV filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which follows the guidelines that many dermatologists recommend.

She said it's great for normal to combination skin and has an "elegant formulation that is very protective and yet feels so light on the skin,"and it blends in easily without getting cakey or leaving a white cast. 

Another favorite of hers is NARS' Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, which she said replaces makeup for her on most days. "This is a fabulous tinted moisturizer for those hoping to achieve a light coverage BB with broad spectrum protection that looks so natural and blends in effortlessly," she said.

Use a retinol-based night cream

Retinol is a popular anti-aging ingredient that builds collagen and increases cell turnover, which in turn fades dark spots and fine lines.

Murphy-Rose really likes the "superb" Skinbetter Science Alpharet Overnight Cream, which "combines a strong retinol with alpha hydroxy acids," another wrinkle-reducing element — all while being gentle enough on the skin. 

She also loves that it has potent antioxidants and skin-renewing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help brighten and hydrate skin overnight.

Slather on a hydrating cream when needed 

In the harsh winter months, Murphy-Rose looks for extra overnight moisture and usually layers on a hydrating cream.

One of her favorites is Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2, which she said contains ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. "This rich face cream is a perfect fix for dry or irritated skin," she said. 

Another one she reaches for is Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream Moisturizer, which she said "similarly soothes and repairs with rich moisturizers and skin-soothing ingredients" such as fatty acids and amino acids.

Add anti-aging products under her eyes

Using a cotton tip, Murphy-Rose will roll on First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream which uses both retinol and hyaluronic acid to build collagen plus hydrate and plump the skin as well as minimize lines around the eyes, she said.

A similar product she likes is Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment, which uses brightening ingredients like green tea and niacinamide to help with dark circles.